Friday of Week 5 in Ordinary Time

They brought to him a deaf man.
Who had an impediment in his speech.
He is the helmsman.
To whom we beseech.

We take our senses so much for granted.
Until they are taken away .
We do not appreciate what it is to be stranded.
And to be for a lifetime at bay.

But gradually our senses fade.
There is no going back.
Our price for life dearly paid.
Pulled slowly by life’s relentless rack.

Ephphatha, he said to the ears ,be opened.
Let our faith in new life be heard , reawakened.

……

We also are deaf
To so much testimony
We need to listen

…….

See Mark 7 : 31-37

Thursday of Week 5 in Ordinary Time

Man leaves father and mother, joins himself to his wife.

And they become one body.

And to each other defer for life.

And become a greater somebody.

My eyes mist over

When I see this.

My life is in clover

There is nothing I miss.

My love for my wife.

Is so great.

She is my life.

Even if she’s always late.

We are one .

Nothing can be undone.

……

Husband and wife joined

Nothing can them ever part

If they are in love

……

See Genesis 2 : 18-25

Tuesday of Week 5 in Ordinary Time

God said , let the waters term with loving creatures.

And let birds fly above the earth within heaven.

We know his words are our teachers.

By them we try to be driven.

I was trying in my dreams to think of others not myself.

How difficult it is to be objective, detached.

To rise above the self.

To understand to what we are truly attached.

I try mindfreeness without frills.

Rather than mindfulness.

Just letting the mind roam as it wills.

Making no effort to direct it and no second guess.

All night I watch the thoughts passing by.

And try to go to sleep with a sigh.

……

God saw it was good

This was his own creation

Out of his great love

……

See Genesis 1 : 20- 2 :4

Monday of Week 5 in Ordinary Time

They laid down the sick in open spaces.
Begging him to let them touch even the hem of his cloak.
We would not be fit even to tie his shoe laces.
We poor aspiring folk.

God said , let the waters come together in a single mass.
And let dry land appear.
This then is the ultimate reality in every mass.
This our every hope and fear.

Genesis may be highly literary.
But its aim is to proclaim God as the mover.
This is something entirely hopeful and not scary.
The ultimate improver and remover.

So in this poem we read of God’s mission.
We are here for life without remission.

…….

What is genesis
Is it just legend or truth

It’s faith’s question

……

See Genesis 1 : 1-19 and Mark 6 : 53-56

5 th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Cry and the Lord will answer.
And he will say I am here.
Sometimes we feel in the grip of a creeping cancer.
We are stuck, we cannot change gear.

Our mind dwells on disappointments.
What we ask , went wrong.
But it not us, just events.
It may have been a false tune , but it was our song.

So we didn’t get what we wanted.
Now we just have to move on.
Nothing daunted.
To a new hazy dawn.

And cry to the Lord if all else fail.
It always helps , without fail.

…..

We disappointed
Can just go on complaining
Or cry to the Lord

……

See Isaiah 58 : 7-10

Saturday of Week 4 in Ordinary Time

You must come away to some lonely place.
And rest for a while.
Life is at too much of a pace.
Running every mile.

There were so many coming and going.
That the Apostles had no time even to eat.
We are constantly thinking, sowing and reaping.
But life needs to be tied to a spiritual cleat.

So they went off in a boat.
To a lonely place.
Behind a prayerful moat.
At a slow pace.

They could be by themselves.
We occasionally need to be by ourselves.

…..

On and on we think
Never pausing or stopping
But perhaps we should

…..

See Mark 6 : 39-34

Friday of Week 4 in Ordinary Time

Continue to love each other like brothers.

And welcome each other like strangers.

And sisters.

Against all dangers.

Remember always to welcome strangers.

For by doing this some people have entertained angels.

We cannot know who are these his or hers.

Or coming from whatever deep wells.

If a Big Issue salesman approaches me in the street.

I wonder could this be an angel in disguise.

We never know who actually we greet.

To be judgemental would be unwise.

So when you meet have a care.

And for the unlikely be aware.

……

When we meet someone

They may well be a stranger

Or yes an angel

……

See Hebrews 13 : 1-8

The Presentation of the Lord

Now Master you can let your servant go in peace.
Because my eyes have seen the salvation.
Before my decease.
And for our redemption.

Which you have prepared for all nations to see.
A light to enlighten the pagans.
And to which we bend our knee.
In all of our lands.

Today I have put away the crib.
For another year .
But the child remains.
To take away every tear.

Christmas finally comes to an end.
But let us still attend.

……

We can go in peace
Because we have seen the light
For all nations

….

See Luke 2 : 22-40

Wednesday of Week 4 in Ordinary Time

A prophet is only despised in his own country.
Among his own relations and in his own house.
We seek and are denied our entry.
We feel no bigger than a mouse.

This is the carpenter surely.
The son of Mary, the brother of James and Joset.

But this is our view surely.

We can’t stop questioning every facet.

He is too familiar.

He has walked the countryside.

Perhaps we find the fact that God was here peculiar.

But can we at least not accept him as a guide.

And then in my dream I saw the door opening.

And faith started reviving.

…….

Yes he was despised

By his own country’s people

And are we the same

…….

See Mark 6 : 1-6

Tuesday of Week 4 in Ordinary Time

Do not be afraid.
Only have faith.
That’s all that can be said.
Although our faith is like a wraith.

Why all this commotion and crying.
The child is not dead but asleep.
We’re quite good at sighing.
And being like lost sheep.

But do we reach out to touch his hem.
Or are we too unbelieving or shy.
So we don’t seize this offered gem.
And we don’t keep him in our mind’s eye.

The child really was alive, just sleeping.

And here if only we knew it, is an end to all weeping.

……

The child was sleeping

Yet all thought that she was dead

That’s until he came

…..

See Mark 5: 21-43

Monday of Week 4 in Ordinary Time

Come out of this man.
Unclean spirit.
We do not know his spiritual plan.
Although we strive to hear it.

What is your name , Jesus asked.
My name is legion.
Truth is often masked.
From whatever region.

We too may be afflicted.
With many demons.
But with Jesus we can find them lifted.
If we have faith and do not demand reasons.

No one could secure him, even with a chain.
But for us there is a marked redemption lane.

….

Come out of this man
Jesus said to him and us
If we just listen

…..

See Mark 5 : 1-20

4 th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Seek integrity.
Seek humility.
With clemency.
And gentility.

Blessed the peacemakers .
They shall be called sons of God.

More than the warmakers.
For they are so flawed.

It’s better to aim to be blessed.
Than striving to be happy.

By doing right than always being contented.

Even if sometimes a bit crabby.

Lord , strengthen my weakness.

And May I show a little meekness.

…..

Witter be blessed

Then trying to be happy

It is doing right

….

See Zephaniah 2 and Matthew 5 : 1-12

Saturday of Week 3 in Ordinary Time

They are in search of their real homeland.

They can not have meant the country they came from.

We are always seeking another country.

For that is where we truly come from.

They were longing for a better homeland.

The heavenly homeland.

A better land .

Even if no more now than a strand.

Today at a funeral I pondered this.

Is the next life our true country.

Or is this life that we will miss.

Together with all and sundry.

But certainly this very old lady longed for death.

And with it a new heavenly breath.

…..

Where is our country

Is it this or another

But we do not know

…..

See Hebrews 11: 1-2, 8-19

Friday of Week 3 in Ordinary Time

Though he stumble.
He shall never fall.
We go through life with fumble after fumble.
Awaiting, none too patiently, his call.

I could not catch all the French reading.
But I certainly heard Esperance and Dure.
Life is full of hard things yet with hope arising.
So we anticipate, but never can be sure.

The salvation of the just comes from the Lord.
Their stronghold in times of distress.
As they seek their reward.
And slowly they progress.

However hard the trial.
We get through with a smile.

……

Life is often hard
But where there is life there’s hope
So we keep going

……

See Psalm 36

Saints Timothy and Titus( friends of St Paul)

I remember your tears.
And long to see you again to complete my happiness.
We pray that we can sweep away our fears.
And all our restlessness.

I was struggling to find the place in the book.
And somebody kindly helped me.
So at the Magnificat now, I could look.
And truly see.

It’s all about loving.
And caring.
Not shoving.
Nor denying.

It’s strange how one kind gesture.
Can be such comfortable vesture.

…..

It’s one kind gesture
That makes all the difference
To all that we do

…..

See 2 Timothy 1 : 1-8

The Conversion of St Paul

I fell to the ground.

And immediately heard a voice telling me.

Are we just too earthbound.

So that we never truly see.

Brother Saul , receive your sight.

Instantly my sight came back.

Yet we still wait for this blinding light.

Knowing there is something we lack.

You are to be a witness before all mankind.

Testifying to what you have seen and heard.

Are we hopeful or just resigned.

Only half listening to the word.

We are on our own road to Damascus travelling.

Hoping , listening , seeing and waiting.

……

When will the light come

Blinded yet one can still hear

We can only wait

….

See Acts 22: 3-16

Tuesday of Week 3 in Ordinary Time

I waited for the Lord.

And he stooped down to me.

While we wait our reward.

Knowing that he is the key.

He heard my cry.

He put a new song in my mouth.

We can only express a sigh.

As we search for him north and south.

You do not ask for sacrifice and offerings.

But an open ear.

Nor do you demand sufferings.

I know that you see and hear.

Your justice we have proclaimed.

In the great assembly gathered.

……

You see and you hear

And not demand sufferings

For that is enough

……

See Psalm 39

Monday of Week 3 in Ordinary Time

If a kingdom is divided against itself.

That kingdom cannot last.

But we are divided within ourself.

Upbeat one moment then downcast.

If a household is divided against itself.

That household cannot stand.

But to many are divided within themself.

Enmeshed in emotional quicksand.

No one can burgle his property.

Unless he has tied up the strong man first.

Our greatest defence is our liberty.

And for truth , our thirst.

If with him we try to be united.

To union with him , we will be united.

……

Our house divided

Will we be able to stand

Yes if united

…..

See Mark 3: 22-30

The 3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time

The people that walked in darkness.
Has seen a great light.
And we now must seek the greater stillness.
Keeping him ever in sight.

On those who live in a land of shadow.
A light has shone.
For us , who seek , we can never entirely know.
Even if we atone.

You have made their joy increase.
They rejoice in your presence.
But again and again we fail to find peace.

Not realising your omnipresence.

The rod of his oppressor.

Is now, we pray, all the lessor.

……

What’s our oppressor

Perhaps it is just ourself

Can we let it go

…….

See Isaiah 8 : 23-9 : 3

Saturday of Week 2 in Ordinary Time

He has passed through the the more perfect tent.

Which is better than the one made by men’s hands.

All that passes, by him has been sent.

Throughout all the spiritual and material lands.

A great worry and burden was lifted.

Then in my dreams another appeared.

It’s as if scales need to balanced.

That what is welcomed must be with what is feared.

But of course if we focus on ideas.

Rather than the physical present.

They will always lead to more and more ideas.

And on what often is not positive or pleasant.

We need to purify ourself from dead actions.

That can only lead to worse and worse reactions.

……

Focus on ideas

Rather than this the moment

Leads to more worry

…..

See Hebrews 9: 2-3, 11-14

Friday of Week 2 in Ordinary Time

I will establish a new covenant.
With the house of Israel and of Judah.
Here was a new holy government.
And not to forget Mohammed , Krishna and the Buddha.

I was dreaming about passing.
Not a dreadful moment but a moment of dread.
Do we live on , it is a question beyond reasoning.
Really we do not know where we will tread.

But dreaming I saw not a brick wall , a dead end.
But a simple brown door which I could push open.
Here was hope, we can indeed ascend.
This was the new covenant spoken.

Here in the dream was a simple image.
I knew I could walk through that door, no mirage.

……

At death we go where
Just reasoning will not help
But the door’s open

……

See Hebrews 8: 6-18

Thursday of Week 2 in Ordinary Time

He asked his disciples to have a boat ready.
To keep him from being crushed.
On our road he keeps us steady.
By his mercy we feel touched.

He had cured so many.
That all who were afflicted were crowding forward.
Even we who have plenty.

Need his aid for nothing is straightforward.

We try to rush forward around him.

Sometimes he seems far away in his boat.

Even below the horizon’s rim.

And we following, can barely keep

afloat.

We can only say a prayer.

Seeking truth layer by layer.

…..

We try to find Christ

But then are we too many

We hope surely not

……

See Mark 3 : 7-12

Wednesday of the 2 nd week in Ordinary Time

He said to the man with the withered hand.
Stand up out in the middle.
We wonder where we are in this life and land.
For life is a perplexing immutable riddle.

I was in a depressed dream.
And as often happens a way opened out.
It’s true that things are not as bad as it may seem.
Even if everything may seem rather drawn out.

One moment everything was bad.
Never ending .
The world seemed mad.
And then a door opened with a happy ending.

Now I knew what I had to do.
At last I had some clue.

…. ..

It may seem hopeless
Then comes a solution
Just out of the blue

….

See Mark 3 : 1-6

Tuesday of Week 2 in Ordinary Time

You should go on showing earnestness to the end.

To the perfect fulfilment of our hopes.

Always knowing that in need, we have a friend.

Who if we ask, will show us the ropes.

Imitating those who have the faith and perseverance.

To inherit the promises.

Never worrying about appearance.

Doubting followers of St Thomas’s.

Here we have an anchor for our soul.

As sure as it is firm.

However modest our life’s role.

And something for the long term.

We try to reach right through beyond the veil.

Where Jesus has entered before us without fail.

……

There beyond the veil

Jesus has entered before

We need to follow

……

See Hebrews 6 : 10-20

Monday of Week 2 in Ordinary Time

Nobody puts new wine into old wine skins.
If he does the wine will burst the skins.
Despite or because of all our sins.
There are both losses and wins.I happened by this church, walking.
For a Sunday evening mass.
For some reason it was beautiful and inspiring.
For once I didn’t look through a dark glass.There was nothing really new here .
Or old and tried except an intense emotion.
For the first time I seemed truly to hear.
Now faith seemed as deep as the ocean.

This was just new wine in old wine skins.
But it did not break the skins.

……

New wine , old wine skins
So will it break the wineskins
Depends on the wine

……

See Mark2: 18-22

Another Country

Thoughts from a Christian perspective — by Edward Leigh