Tuesday of the 5th week of Lent

 

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When you have lifted up the son of man.

Then you will know who I am.
But can we can.
Do I even know who I really am.
But is it necessary to know where the guide comes from.
Is it not enough to know where he is leading us to.
This may only be comfort’s crumb.
And it may only satisfy a few.
But better not to obsess.
About what you cannot prove.
We may have to do with less.
To free us from doubt’s groove.
I know his message is right for me.
Further than that I cannot see.
…..
He asks who am I
We will not have the answer
In this short lifetime
……
See John 8: 21-30

Monday of the 5th week of Lent

 

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I am the light of the world.

Anyone who follows me will not be walking in the dark.
I sleep, I dream badly lying curled.
In the morning I rise with the lark.
To stop suffering you have to lose control.
And pass it to fate or God or karma.
It is not our body that counts but our soul.
Otherwise all is ceaseless drama.
But with Christ someone is listening.
Ready to share any burden.
So I put my faith in night praying.
Hoping to  slowly unburden.
It is not just in surrendering the ego.
That we take heart to get up and go .
…….
Our preferences
They are all so absorbing
Can we renounce them
…….
See John 8 : 12-20

5th Sunday of Lent

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I have accepted the loss of everything.
I look on everything as so much rubbish.
In God alone we can take wing.
This is all we need to publish.

Irritation is rooted in desire to be in control.
When we surrender that control totally to God.
And renounce our own preferences to our soul.
And put faith in a spiritual God.

The need and motivation.
For irritation disappears.
This is is our salvation.
And the end of all tears.

We can then remain even tempered .
In the face of setbacks and carry on unhindered.

…..

A simple idea
Is to put God in control
It’s so difficult

……

See  Philippians 3 : 8-14 and
More Saintly Solutions by Fr Joseph Esper

Saturday of the 4th week of Lent

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The waves of death rose about me.
The pains of the netherworld surrounded me.
I seem submerged in a Black Sea.
In my dreams, resurrection, I could not foresee.

When hope dies.
And worries or grief arise.
In our own view of God, our salvation lies.
We may not be content, but we may be wise.

We wake before dawn’s first light.
With no answer to sleep’s plea
But  I try to keep this prayer in sight .
Enlighten ,guide, strengthen and console me.

I promise to be submissive in all you ask of me.
And to accept all that you permit to happen to me.

….

When sleep does not come
Rest your tired head in prayer
And then rest may come

……

See The Entrance Antiphon of today
Psalm 17

Friday of 4 th Week in Lent

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You do not know him but.
I know him because from him I have come.
Of our own choice we are stuck in a unholy rut.
Not happy but  spiritually glum.

We may never know for sure.
If he is the one.
But he is the lure.
To the one who is one.

We know he walked.
He taught.
And he talked.
But certainty of divinity cannot be caught.

But the only way to approach the one.
Is to try to get to know this one.

……

In my mind’s far depths
I seek the truth that matters
And it alludes me

……

See John 7 : 1-2, 10 : 24-30

Thursday of 4th week in Lent

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They have made themselves a calf of molten metal.

And have worshiped it and offered sacrifice.
Our hearts will not settle.
For us nothing will suffice.
What is our molten calf.
What do we really worship.
To whom do we raise the staff.
Is it our own self worship.
We will be forgiven.
For all our faults.
And striven.
Despite being out of sorts.
But who will give us our gnosis
Who will be our Moses.
……..
God said to Moses.
Where to have my people strayed
But they’re forgiven
…….
See Exodus 32: 7-14

Wednesday of 4 th week in Lent

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On every roadway they shall graze.
And each bare height shall be their pasture.
We wander through life’s maze.
Barely understanding our future.

They will never hunger or thirst.
Scorching wind and sun shall never plague them.
Never shall we be cursed .
Nor ever will our hope be numb.

Does a woman forget her baby at the breast.
Or fail to cherish the son of her womb.
We never shall lose our zest .
Or pass forever into the gloom.

Yet even if these forget.
He never will you forget.

……..

The Lord is saying
At all times I will answer
I will not forget

…….

See Isaiah 49: 8-15

Tuesday of 4th week in Lent

 

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A stream came out from the Temple threshold.

And flowed eastwards.
Everything is put on hold.
To the east  then our sight turns towards.
From the temple flowed from sacrifice .
Both blood and water.
Now there is a new bloodless sacrifice .
An innocent lamb put to the slaughter.
The stream of love, I see.
Gets wider and wider
Until it meets the sea.
Its plaintiff song louder and louder.
Wherever the water flows all creatures will live.
And we ourselves will thrive .
……..
A new sacrifice
Is with all of us always
Of love not of blood
…….
See Ezekiel  47 : 1-9 , 12

Monday of 4 th week in Lent

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Go home, your son will live.

The man believed what Jesus had said.
We have we to know not just to take but give.
To know how to be led.
It’s strange how our prayers are answered.
Not always in the way we want.
Sometimes the answer is unclear , stammered.
Even in a death crisis it almost seems a taunt.
The court official asked Jesus to come with him.
But he had faith when that didn’t happen.
Do we have faith even if our position is grim.
Or do we expect always  our hearts to  gladden.
After prayer we often turn on our heel.
Not ready in gratitude to kneel.
…..
Often in prayer
We do not receive answers
But just be patient
…….
See John 4 : 43-54

4th Sunday in Lent

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Your brother here was dead.

And has come to life, he was lost and is found.
Rejection has fled.
Love is crowned.
When you hear this Gospel reading.
A tear comes to the eye.
It is reconciliation spreading
Fatherhood’s loving cry.
But what of us who do the work to the full.
Who are left behind .
Are we resentful .
Perhaps we shouldn’t mind.
Our father is with us always.
Ready for all our faults to give us praise.
…….
Are we the lost one
Going to another land
We are welcome home
…. …
See  Luke 15:1-3, 11-32

Saturday of 3rd week in Lent

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Everyone who exalts himself will be humbled.

But the man who humbles himself will be exalted.
We know we are truly rumbled.
We so often find ourselves faulted.
We hate criticism.
But we must not let it get us down.
We rejoice in our own rightism.
Even if we are quick to put others down.
He beat his breast and said.
God be merciful to me a sinner.
Shall we just take it as read .
We’re no better than any other trier.
Actually criticism is a good thing .
It is God’s  and humility’s ring .
…….
I am not grasping
Unlike the other man  there
But he is better .
……..
See Luke 18: 9-14

Fridy of 3rd week in Lent . The Annunciation of the Lord . 25 March 2022

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Your justice I have proclaimed in the great assembly

.

My lips I have not sealed.
Our hearts can never be empty.
Because all is revealed.
I just opened todays readings at random.
And came up with the line from the psalm.
We need to read no memorandum.
A psalm a day keeps us calm.
You do not ask for Holocaust or victim.
Instead here am I .
Another line by chance , thinking of him.
We just need to ask why.
But  today we recall Mary’s answer , yes.
We too only have to say yes .
…….
So when we are called
Will our answer then be yes
Or will we temper
……
See Psalm 39

Thursday of 3rd Week in Lent

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Follow right to the end of the way.
That I mark out and you will prosper.
We have to do this anew every day .
The spiritual horizon the spur.

Listen to my voice.
Then I will be your God.
We only have to make our choice.
Our walking feet well shod.

But they have not listened to me.
Have not paid attention.
They refuse to let their eyes see.
Your  long ago ascension.

I left behind the church on the hill walking .
Attempting as I strode on to increase my understanding.

…….

A far horizon
An old stone church on the hill
And then brisk walking

…….

See Jeremiah 7 :  23-28

Wednesday of 3rd week in Lent

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Do not think I have come to abolish the law.

I have come not to abolish but complete them.
We stand in awe.
Ready to pick up any  last crumb.
Not one dot will disappear from the law.
Till it’s purpose is achieved.
This belief is the core.
This is what we hope to have achieved.
The man who infringes even the least of these commandments.
Will be considered the least in the kingdom of heaven.
These are no mere enactments.
They are our path to heaven.
But we are weak.
We can only seek.
…….
To fulfil  the law
That indeed may be our aim
But it is so hard
….. ..
See Matthew 5:17-19

Tuesday of 2nd week in Lent

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That is how my Heavenly Father will deal with you .

Unless you each forgive your brother from your heart.
They are so few .
Who take this to heart.
Just after I listened to this mass reading.
I promptly felt angry against someone.
But we know forgiveness is healing.
Yet every day we are undone.
We are like the wicked servant .
Demanding our debt be redeemed.
But for our  own loan to be returned we are fervent.
Acceptance is merely dreamed.
I wonder if one day we will have to pay the price.
For all our petty angry vice.
…..
Do we then forgive
As we are now forgiven
Really I doubt it
……
See Matthew 18: 21-35
Sent from my iPhone

Monday of 3rd week in Lent

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There were many lepers in Israel .

Yet none were cured except Naaman.
When will our time come, we cannot tell.
Our fate is of every man and no man.
Why does God act in one moment .
Why this particularity.
Can we try and discern more in Lent.
Does  he just choose and act in his charity.
Out of the whole history of the Universe.
Why did he choose that place and time.
Can we ever put time forward or into into reverse.
Can we ever understand his reason and rhyme.
And thus all is mystery.
And part of our future and history.
…….
Of this we are sure
No prophet is accepted
In his own country
…..
See Luke 4 24-30

3rd Sunday in Lent

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But if they ask me what his name is.

What am I to tell them.
We only know that we are his.
We only say Come Lord , come.
And God said to Moses.
I am who I am.
An answer as beautiful and prickly as roses.
And as gentle as a lamb.
Do not try and worry what God is .
Only that God is.
That all of creation is his.
That all encompassing mystery is his.
We stare  too into the ever burning bush.
We do not now understand but there is no rush.
…….
We ask what God is
We only know that God is.
Is that not enough
……..
See Exodus 3 : 1-8, 13-15

Saturday of 2nd week in Lent , St Joseph

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That is why what fulfils the promise.

Depends on faith, so that it may be a free gift .
Is there something  here that I miss.
How can I end my endless drift .
We often lack self confidence in Lent.
But recall, this world as we know it is passing away.
All that we cherish most is in descent.
We can live only for one day , this day.
Our view of God must be like that of a child.
Guileless ,  seeing him as a living mystery.
Rationality , pre determined views filed.
Stepping away from the detritus of our history.
My depression can  surely be lifted.
With the spirit’s help I can be gifted.
……
Why do I question .
Can I not accept freely
And be like a child
…..
See Romans 4 : 13, 16-18 ,22
1 Cor 7: 29-31

Friday of 2nd week in Lent

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It was the stone rejected by the builders.
That became the keystone.
With faith these are the pillars.
We know we are never alone.

I could not sleep.
So I concentrated on breath and scripture.
The effort seemed to work better than counting sheep.
Here was behind closed eyes a calming picture.

What brings joy
It is Lectio Divina
The purest alloy
The most delicate china.

It is a picture into the kingdom.
A country  of so much wisdom.

…….

Where do we find joy
It’s in lectio divina
It’s all so simple

……

See Matthew 21: 33-46

Thursday of 2nd week in Lent

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I have made you a light for the nations.
So that my salvation may reach the ends of the earth.
Receive our oblations.
Cover the world with quiet mirth.
The candle was nearing the end of its short life.
But it’s guttering end took a long time.
Ours too soon will be cut with a knife.
Those of us long past our prime.
But staring at the candle.
Time slowed down .
Meditation was given a handle.
No more was there a need to frown.
Thus even long past our might.
We can give our  gentle light.
…..
Our light is passing.
Shadows may be increasing
But we cast shadows
……
See Acts 13: 46-49

Wednesday of 2nd Week in Lent

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I have heard the slander of the crowd.
Fear is all around me.
It’s not necessarily true even if loud.
Best if we neither hear nor see.

But as for me I trust in you Lord.
I say , you are my God.
I keep my reply stored.
Merely giving a polite nod.

Don’t worry about what your enemies say.
Don’t even read it .
Live just for this day .
And remember his holy writ.

How soothing it was to read in mass this psalm.
Suddenly all was calm.

…..

Your thoughts are not you
This life is not permanent
Think on this moment

……

See Psalm 30

Tuesday of 2nd week in Lent

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Nor must you allow yourself to be called teachers.

Since you only have one teacher.
Perhaps we are  only just reachers.
I certainly don’t want to be a preacher.
I just want to understand the truth.
And hope that reading will help me
I know I will always be a poor sleuth.
But maybe all this will help me to see.
I doubt if anyone knows for sure .
What awaits us eventually.
But a sense of peace is the lure.
So it is all just  there potentially.
But one thing is certain.
We know not what lies behind death’s curtain.
……
I am no preacher
I do not know for certain
What is beyond death
……
See Matthew 23 : 1-12

Monday of 2nd week of Lent

 

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Do not treat us according to our sins.

We are left in the depth of distress.
Is it really about who wins.
We are mere pawns in life’s game of chess.
We know our name, where we live, that we are alive.
But we do not really know our true essence.
Do we know who we are however much we strive.
But we are a creature of sentience.
What happens to this consciousness.
Where did it come from or go.
What is its final address.
We are on a melting ice flow.
We search high and low.
Until we die we will not know.
……
Where do we come from
Where will we go in the end
At death we will know
……..
See Psalm 78

2 nd Sunday in Lent

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For us our homeland is in heaven.

And from heaven comes the saviour we are waiting for .
We can repeat this seven times seven.
This goes to our very core.
He will transfigure these wretched bodies of ours.
Into copies of his glorious body.
At the end of our hours.
We hopefully will be ready .
He will do that by the same power.
With which he can subdue the whole universe.
So with fear we need not cower.
Soon our prose life will be transformed into verse
We are not destined to be lost .
Nor surrender at any cost .
……
We are transfigured
In the love we show others
That is our true fate
……
See Philippians 3 : 17- 4 : 1

 

Saturday of 1st week of Lent

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He causes his sun to rise on bad men as well as good.
And his rain to fall on honest and dishonest men alike .
A good rule , the can’t is not as good as the could.
To accept does not mean that you have to like .

The criticism and abuse was wearing me down.
Then I remembered, soon we will be dead and gone.
Everything then falls into perspective, the up and the down.
Who then will remember or care when we are gone.

What did he say, love your enemies.
And pray for those who persecute you.
Think not of decades but centuries.
And not of ours but the other crew.

In all a sense of proportion.
Avoids so much distortion.

…….

Love those who love you
Well that is all so easy
It’s the other bit that hurts

……

See Matthew 5 : 43-48