The Assumption

do not assume
that lines to receive
Me have first
received Me into
their hearts as
Lord and Savior
it is not so
few are the disciples
who daily
seek My Face
worship My Presence
love Me above all
renounce sin
speak My Truth
trust through trials
suffer with Me
witness unto death
you have departed
from the simplicity
of the Cross
the call to repentance to
leave all behind
take up that Cross to
come after Me
do not dance the
dance of fear
nor intimidation to
speak My Word of
conversion of heart
all that fail to decide
have in that very fact
decided not to follow
and are in
eternal danger
My Grace is always
being offered
ready to be revealed
even to be rejected
My tears still flow for
My wayward children
entrapped in the lures
of the enemy and
whose faces
show up even
on Sunday

Reflection/Discussion:
-What is "The Assumption"?
-Do you think it is accurate? Why/not?
-What are the signs, since no one knows the heart but God?
-How can we help bring about revival in the Church?
-What about your life? Where do you stand?
-What is your calling?

The Promised

in the beginning

hovering over waters
out of chaos forming

elements into precision 

life into being

I was sent
then in time

promised for
dreaming dreams  

seeing visions

speaking Words of God by

daughters and sons

an outpouring for all
who passionately seek to

drink deeply of 

Glory's Splendor  

yet for a while to
prepare the way

I was sent to a chosen few

uttering the prophetic words

“come back again” to
a wayward people of
seesawing faithfulness 

again promised until
at the appointed time

I hovered over the Anointed

revealed as the Son

in a baptism for an
eternal purpose and
anointing in turn to 

speak Truths with a

Power beyond human reckoning

revealing a Knowledge of the Divine
proved by signs and wonders

until at last
after Passion's price and  
death’s conquest

the waiting was ended by 

hovering tongues of fire
a mighty wind

releasing fear’s bondage as
barriers were transcended

Holy Names of Glory
proclaimed in languages for all

freedom’s bestowal brought

the promise to fruition

never less than one could receive

freely offered with

miraculous Gifts of

Power to heal
deliver
know the unknown
speak prophetic Words
worship in
angelic tongues
live a persevering call

for combat above
victory below
strength through weakness

dying to self for
an intimacy Divine to
proclaim a Risen Savior
which remains

today's challenge for a
world enslaved to sin
but

a Gift left unclaimed
withers on the vine

neglect and choice
leave Me untapped

meager expectations only
restrain unlimited Power

so asking in faith is a
prerequisite for Grace to
release an answer

when knocking and

seeking to find  a
Power born of
Mystical Breath

yet after all is
said and done
be aware of this
in your re-creation 

after years of tasting sweetness 

even as the Fire ignites your soul

touching you in depths unfathomed

with Gifts undeserved 

stirring life to new heights
with Love-drenched

tears overflowing in
intimate tenderness
taking you from
Glory to Glory into
realms of Holiness

still
there

is

more......

Reflection/Discussion:
-How would you summarize "The Promised"?
-What does "a Gift unclaimed withers on the vine" mean?
-What are your expectations regarding the Holy Spirit?
-What do you believe about the Gifts of the Spirit?
-Are you seeking more of the Spirit? Why/not? 
-Practically, what can I do to "earnestly desire the spiritual gifts"?

-What is the "Baptism of the Holy Spirit"?

Heaven

beyond everything

I could dream

describe or desire

heaven would have it
no other way

only an eternal
all powerful God

could create
such a reward that
human beings sometimes
so finite in their thinking

but infinite in their longing

would still be so exalted

yet humbled by the
Otherness of it all

the overwhelming
Godness of  life

so starry-eyed at the One

who died for them so that

they could be loved forever
so joy-filled that the end is

eternally beginning

that words can only repeat

love’s intimate repast

as sighs climax  the

infinite language of union

what have I ever have done

to inherit such a One

now seen face to Face?

nothing
not one thing

only Mercy begs acceptance

so agonizing in life

now only a distant dream
so worth the trials

for unending rewards

having been transformed by

conquering Grace

my tears are dried

my heartaches healed

my fears removed
limitations eliminated
no more surrounding me
no more binding me

no more

now only
unfading Glory
lies before me

unending joy

overwhelming
imagination's

fantasies

.

Reflection/Discussion:
-Describe "Heaven".

-What is the "Otherness of it all" mean?

-Is it easier to imagine Heaven or Hell? Why?

-How does thinking about the 4 last things help us now?

-Where does Purgatory fit-in?

The Father

distorted by
earthly fathers'
sinful weakness
the Truth of 
My Love for you
gets defiled in the
experiences of life
My Identity is blended-in
with your relationship
to your own father
whether for good or ill
sometimes leading to
My rejection
viewing Me with
mistrust
thinking of Me as
silent
disinterested
harsh
One who has
abandoned you
left you one your own to
figure everything out
this is beyond
a tragedy for My children
for the source of that distortion
is your enemy
one who is always a
liar
deceiver
accuser
meant to destroy you
with so base an untruth
My true Image is
My Son
in whose Face is
My Face
Who loves with
My love
Whose pierced heart is
My heart
Who is My spoken Word
to you meant to
perfectly communicate
My reality as your Abba 
in order to draw you
into a perfect sharing of
Our Love for one another
for when you look upon 
His countenance
experience
His tender Love
His healing touch
hear His Word
receive His Body
know that I am
with you as well for
We are One
so ask Me to
unveil the fallacy of
your deception
begin with awareness
an examination of your
relationship with Me
ask for
Light where there is
darkness
Truth where there is
falsehood
Healing where there is
wounding
for you are meant to
share in My Image
imprinted in your spirit
a revelation of
My Love for My children by
your transformation into
the Image of My Son
to share Our Holiness
being set apart for
Glory
all of this is
your destiny
your inheritance
your calling
the reason for
your creation
so taste and see
for all I have is
yours

Reflection/Discussion:
-What is the meaning of "The Father"?
-What does "My true Image is My Son" mean ?
-How would you describe your own father?
-Describe your relationship with him.
-How does this affect your image of God as Father?
-Speak the distortion. 
-Bring this into the light with someone you trust.
-Pray for healing, by yourself and with others. 
 

The Way

one
there is only
one way to
Union
holiness unbridled
that way is
death to self
we are sold out
to have our
own way in life
self-will our idol
born into slavery to
ego's enthronement
pride demands its
recognition often in
secret machinations
hidden even to ourselves
sometimes donning
professions of
heavenly desires
the twisted deception
of a blinded humanity
only grace
reveals the truth
peals back the veil of
sin's deep wounding
only grace
admits our inability to
overcome it's
tentacles entwining
layers of consciousness
only grace
received through supplication
loosens the hold of
self-reliance
addictions to the
security of
tangible titles
personality
wealth
reputation
character
sometimes even
ministry
anything but
Jesus Himself
prying off the
death grip on our
being-in-control
being willing to obey
that He may be glorified
to seek Him alone
to let go of this life
so precious to us
that we find rest in
God alone
the template of Calvary
becomes our
pattern of surrender
"not My will but
Thine be done"
this is only a
work of grace
and a
work in progress
a process undertaken in
weakness knowing the
battle is within
without merit
without credit
without striving
learning to depend
on a Love beyond
our strength
to give oneself away
in grateful humility
day by day
come what may

Reflection/Discussion:
-How does the poem describe "The Way"?
-What was most meaningful about "The Way" to you?
-Where am you along "The Way"?
-What areas in your life are you trying to control?
-What are the areas in your life in which you experience your weakness?
-Where do you place your security?
-What is the Lord saying to you now? 
-What do you think about getting a spiritual director?

The Son

He was always there for me
our bond like no other
His beginning shrouded in Mystery
was such a blessing and
so gracious a Gift that
I could only humbly accept
He was always a joy
with eyes and strength like his father
so close were they
even when understanding was
beyond my grasp I knew
He was more Divine than
He appeared and yet
so playful but oh so serious
with an intent and purpose
always beyond His years
presenting me with more than
I could ever fathom
still He could never refuse my requests
a little game we always shared
which carried on even when He left home
then after the desert called Him
beginning a journey filled with wonders
and words spoken with an Authority
I only had seen once before
I could sense the sorrow that was coming
even if He had not said so Himself
though it was far beyond
imagination's boundaries
I was not prepared for the travails
that overwhelmed us all
the sounds and smells
the brutality and degradations
but most of all the look
when our eyes met
was more than I could bear
the sword piercing my heart
had finally come
still His last words to me
echoing our past
to continue my mother's role
wondering how I could ever
get beyond my grief
I could only nod and look away
a final cry and surrender
was all that was left
till I held Him one last time and
kissed His Face with tears
hoping for something more

Reflection/Discussion:
-How does "The Son" describe Mary and Jesus' relationship?
-What does "The Son" mean to you?
-Do you think "a little game we always shared" describes reality? Why/not?
-How does this poem compare to "The Mother Mary"?
-What part does Mary play in your life?
-How can she help in your relationship with her Son?

The Gospel

the wonder of grace
a truth revealed
bestowed without merit
upon humanity
by the cross of Christ
remains ridiculed
hushed to avoid
any hint of
judging behavior
today's
unforgivable transgression
relativism's reduction to
self-justification
eliminates wrongdoing and
where there is no sin
there is no sinner
no need of a Savior
where there is no captivity
there is no deliverance
where there is no vice
there is no virtue
where there is no guilt
there is no redemption
the gospel of the sinless Lamb
sacrificed for His flock
is relegated  to a fairy tale
clothing the deluded
in garbs of
ancient myths
chivalry from ages past
mocked by moderns
bent on bowing before 
mirror's image
but evil
though denied
prospers everywhere
building upon itself
temples of deceit
justifying everything
in the name of
feeling's enthronement
where what I believe
is true because
I say so
but
truth is objective
not what we
say it is
feelings do not
determine veracity
reality does
identity is given
not created
nature is bestowed
not chosen
body and soul
are united in
one being
not separate
we are not figments of
imagination's creativity
made merely for
self-indulgence
slaves to our impulses
rather
revelation's testimony discloses
each is created in
freedom for Glory
favored with dignity to share an
eternal union with the Divinity
an intimate marriage of
person to Person
though fragile and imperfect
known and loved as we are
received through repentance
surrender to
the One who
formed us in the womb
died for our sins
rose to new life
called us by name
given us power to follow
liberty to experience the
Love of He who first
Loved us
healed and set free
from sin to
grow in holiness
persevere through trials
listen to His quiet voice 
share His Love with others
witness by our lives
to the One who is
faithful unto death

Reflection/Discussion:
-What does "The Gospel" say about truth?
-What does "feelings do not determine veracity, reality does" mean?
-How does "The Gospel" describe the Gospel? 
-What is the false image of the Gospel presented in today's culture?
-How would you answer "relativism"?
-Prepare a brief (5-10 minute) sharing of the Gospel.
-Prepare a brief personal testimony of how you became a Catholic/Christian.