My hope for you

Poetry speaks to our minds and hearts and is meant to communicate more than the sum of its words. It is an apt expression of our walk with the Lord. I encourage you to forward this link to those you love. I pray this poetry leads you into reflection and prayer but I also want to start a conversation. You, too, have something to share with others-not only in person, but also here. Your experience is yours to give away to build up and learn from others in the Body of Christ. Share the word that you hear, the experiences you have lived. We are all part of the New Evangelization.If you also want to contact me by email, feel free: genefirn@yahoo.com

Table of contents: October 7, 2012

Saturday, December 29, 2012

The Tribulation

from the beginning
the enemy has sought to
ensnare the Father's children by
deception's lure into the
darkness of rebellion's lair
attacking My Gift of  Family Life
idolizing selfish appitites
pursuing conquests of the
opposite sex without
limitations of conscience nor
thoughts of lifelong commitment
draping another with the
wounded mantle of
pride's many colors
tightly fitted with
self-professed adoration or
ensuring confusion's child of a
transitory gender that
crys for acceptance yet
does not accept their own
I Gifted at conception
Redemption's bounty for hearts
paid-for with My Precious Blood
provoked satan's fury
against Me and all who
serve My Kingdom to bring
Love to the loveless
Hope to the hopeless
Life to the dying
Salvation to the lost
My journey traveled the
Via Dolorosa to the Cross as
witness after witness of that
Heavenly Kingdom's Gift
conquered that same darkness
within and without
by mingling
blood with Blood
white and red
heart to Heart
each pierced
throughout time to
encourage the fearful
strengthen the weak
embolden the timid
ushering victories
through losing acceptance
sometimes even life itself
Eternity's battle of tribulation
ebbs and flows and now
it flows for you to
share the Burden
bear Light into darkness
Salt to insipid souls
though many fall away
submit not to coercion nor
threats of prohibition to
speak My Truth in Love
nor be deterred by
false accusations of
hatred and bigotry for
My Word brings Life to
those who hear and receive
but Death to those who
reject and rebel so
embrace your Calling and the
Strength of My Spirit for the
enemy does not rest and
many are succumbing to his
marketing treachery
in this you shall prevail if you
persevere in faith
trust in My faithfulness
love with My Love
forgive your enemies
knowing that
I shall never leave you
nor forsake you
go
it is time

Reflection/Discussion:
-What are some of today's "deception's lures"?
-Describe "Eternity's battle of tribulation". 
-Who are some of past/present "witnesses" who paid the price?
-What signs of persecution are here?
-How do we prepare for the tribulation?
-What areas in your life need shoring-up?
-How are you going to accomplish that?  
-How do you "embrace your calling" in your life?
-Get support, don't be a "lone ranger".

Friday, December 21, 2012

The Son


He was always there for me
our bond like no other
His beginning
shrouded in Mystery
was a blessing
beyond my imagination
a grace finding 
an unworthy home within
He was always a joy
so playful in pleasing me
yet so serious 
with a purpose
far beyond His years
we shared devotion
with memories
treasured to this day
He grew to manhood’s strength
with a wisdom unmatched
and a knowledge Divine
possessing the lively eyes
and character of His father
He graced our family
‘till called into the desert to
begin a mission leading to
a bitter end
signs and wonders followed Him
with words to be hallowed of
a Kingdom that had come
years passed too quickly
then
the sorrow that
I always foresaw
began to claim Him  for
His enemies were many 
despite His tender love
yet
nothing could prepare me for the
horror of His sentence 
so brutal and 
more than I could bear 
my painful watch 
hung on my brokenness
and lingered long after
the meeting of our eyes
as a sword
pierced my heart
binding us in
Passion's embrace
His final request for
my love to bear so many
was beyond 
my infirmity
yet
impossible to refuse
since
I could do no other 
than to honor His wishes
finally finished at last
at rest in my arms 
one last time
we spoke without words
after pain was spent though
I would endure the more
‘till we would meet again 
with wondrous Glory

Reflection/Discussion:
-Describe Mary's relationship with her Son.
-What did you like best about the description? Why?
-Does it make Jesus relationship with His Mother more real? Why/not? 
-How does this description compare with the poem "The Mother Mary"?
-Describe your relationship with Mary.
-Do you want to make her more a part of your life? Why/not?
-How can you grow in your relationship with Mary?

Monday, December 3, 2012

The Focus

the solution of
catechesis is
rationalized
with a  lamented
"if only..."
when the purview of
empty pews or
listless hearts
elicit not a Great
but rather a
faint amen
or when cultural trends
against Church teaching are
publicly championed by
purported disciples
swearing allegiance
to the Faith
while watchmen silently
turn their attention to not
offending sensibilities
thereby not having to make
uncomfortable decisions
though scandalizing
the faithful few 
or worse
validate darkness
in the name of progress      
as the young are led astray
by a system of relative feelings to
decide right and wrong  
turning to self's pleasures
and ego's false idols
buttressed by the
previous generation's
tradition of dissent
all of which is to be mitigated
nay transformed by
classroom presentations
how utterly absurd
when hearts are hardened
unconverted and 
brittle from lacking
caresses from the Cross
unaware of their
Incarnate need for
transcendent embraces
so Personal
so Mystical
from the One who
Created them for a
Supernatural Identity of
Intimate Union and a
Glorious Eternity beyond
their limitations in this
broken world
only then
when their hearts are open to
receive the One for whom
they have been conceived
when Divinity is partaken
as they accept the invitation to
surrender themselves to the
Sacrificed Savior
Risen to New Life as
Lord of their lives
then when the Spirit anoints
Love is consummated and
lives are entwined
person to Person
to become
new citizens of the Kingdom
only then
are they eager to consume the
Banquet of Life
and therein lies
the Focus

Reflection/Discussion:
-What is the place of catechesis?
-What is the focus?
-What is involved in conversion?
-Where do we start?
-Is is gradual or instant or both? Why?
-What can we do to help others in this process? 
-How can we grow in this New Life?