The Daughter

bewildered

torn from safety
Love's unfailing acceptance
now glows
face to Face
from my heart's beloved Creator
knowledge infused history's Presence
through the veil of my life's sharp end
a view of what might have been is
seen from Heaven's advantage
the maternal bond
broken and disowned by
death's dark decision
was a rejection without defense
for I was judged unfit to live
despite having my mother's eyes
to why's obsessive enigma
no reason is enough to
toss an innocent away
nor justify my demise
as two now bear
the choice of one
yet though unintended
that cruel portal brought
eternal life
in an instant
as well as
maturity's measure
all guilt captured
by Another's choice
which ushered-in
this free domain
now her soul
I bear to
Mercy's Throne
pleading for our union's healing
and a turning back-
love's longing painful cry-
hoping in peace joy and body new
with every tear wiped away
to be reunited once more
but this time in
my mother's arms

Reflection/Discussion:
-How is the daughter portrayed as a person?
-How does the daughter show forgiveness?
-Is the hope offered realistic? Why/not?
-How would this poem help a post-abortion Mom?
-How would this poem help a Mom thinking of aborting her child?
-How does the poem affect you?
-In your own words, explain the poem.

The Seeker

in your silent depths

you seek to love and

be loved without

limits or measures-
the security of a union
whose acceptance and
self'-donation is a
dream of endless ecstasy
you also realize - though
do not always admit - that
it is far more than
finite love can
deliver in this life since
everything passes and is
restricted by the
earthly boundaries
of the temporal...
only imagination's limitless frontiers
extend fulfillment beyond its
confined expressions -
even marital love
however satisfying is still

full of trials / suffering and

always desires more than
your fallen nature
can deliver and so
your craving remains for
something more...lasting...
satisfying...so it may seem

that you seek in vain but.

the Truth is that I have 

placed that longing in your heart

for it is I who first seeks you...
it is for you that I hunger...
aware or not...
self-absorbed or generous...
trapped in sin or saint...
proud or humble...
bitter or thankful...
hater or lover...
enemy or friend...
it is your heart I treasure
your love
for which I long 
in a Union
Infinite and Passionate
like Me...some of
you question My veracity -
can this be True?
is He truly like He says He is?

you think...
does He really Love... me... that way?
maybe for others but
not for me...Why?... because in
your heart of hearts
you know your
weakness and poverty -
secrets hidden from
everyone's eyes but Mine

sins that feel unforgivable...

accusations / shame swirl in your mind...

wounds buried deep within...

lies about yourself and Me that

you still believe to this very day...  

but...

I do not utter
empty words
rather
they express
My Tender Mercy -
the Truth of
who I Am
see
it was for YOU
I bore the Cross -
the burden of your sins -
for YOU that
My Hands and Feet were nailed...
My Heart pierced -
Blood and Water flowing to
Wash your heart to
make it like Mine -
a stark testimony of
My Personal Love for YOU
as I looked
into your eyes
and said...
I thirst...
Come
Say Yes to...
My Infinite Invitation -

My Love for YOU -

Repent of your sin

Accept Me into your heart

as your Lord and Savior
Come...yes...YOU...
Follow Me

Reflection/Discussion:

-Is "finite love" ultimately not fulfilling?  Why/not?
-How is the love of Jesus different than our love for one another?
-How are they related?
-Do you think people tend to question God's Love for them? Why/not? 

-In what way does that pertain to you?

-What are some of the 'lies' talked about?
-How can we receive His Love for us?
-What does it mean here that Jesus says "I thirst"?
-What does it mean to say "yes" to Jesus?

-How can you communicate this reality to others?

-How has Jesus proven His Love for you?

-Is there anything keeping you back from deciding to receive Jesus 

 into your heart as your Personal Lord and Savior? 

-If yes, then, what is it? Work through it. Maybe talk it over with a trusted friend.

-If no, then, just ask Him into your heart in your own words. Day by Day seek Him, listen.

The Devil

beware...the Devil...your 

Enemy -the father of lies...

master of deceit...

accuser of the brethren and

murderer of all who fall into

his hands both spiritually

and physically if possible -

plies his trade among unsuspecting 

targets oblivious to his deviousness

while they joke about the myth

of his existence purported by
medieval zealots clothed in black
the fictitious conclusion derived at
just the way he likes it with 

scoffing at even the hint of 

objective Truth which instead
he inculcates that reality is
what you say it is and 'sin'

is a 'control tool ' of the 'right'

and thus that 'scary devil with

horns' and 'eternal fires of hell'

is a fiction to frighten dupes

into Churches for money sake...

and you can hear the victory 

celebration in the dark end 

zone of  the duped who now

belong to the demons forever 

as the deceived sing 

right is wrong

wrong is right
true is false
false is true -
if it exists at all  -
depending on whose definition
is used while the gods of this age -
all under the influence of his 

shadowy disguise accuse 

Followers of the Holy One of
totalitarianism and hate 

mongering as the "judge nots" 

judge Jesus' Disciples as way 

too judgmental for today's 

progressive society as the 

Deceiver's pitiful victims
fall downward by unrighteous 

decisions out of the 'anything

goes' / 'get it while you can' /

no one's telling me what I 

can or can not do' / 'this is 

all there is so go for it' and

so on and so forth...but even 

the Churched fall into deceit

by not even speaking about 

the Evil One and how to 

combat his temptations / 

deceptions...as the Believers

are left vulnerable to the 

Enemy's tactics which lead

many into habits that wound 

the tender-hearted and

harden the unsuspecting whose
repeated excesses produce
slaves of the flesh 'till it is

too late to turn back to the 

Light...'all in good time' and

'slowly but surely' the end-game 

is secured...

Eternal death his aspiration...
misery his accomplice...
evil his identity...
illusion his snare...

temptation his forte...
warfare hidden in the 

vagaries of daily life
even though
he doesn't exist
la la la la la

Reflection/Discussion:

-How is Satan portrayed in Scripture?
-What are some of the signs of his existence today?
-He is the deceiver / liar, what are some lies people 

 believe about themselves / eternity / God / Christianity?
-What are some of his common temptations?
-Where do you see his deceptions present in our society?
-Do you see his deceptions in the Church? Where?
-How do you use your Spiritual Authority against his attacks?

-Read the Catholic Catechism to learn more.

-A Prayer life...Sacraments...Scripture Reading...Men's / Women's Groups

 all are helpful to maintain and grow in one's Spiritual Life. 

The Tell

desires

needs

drive our inner being

more than
imagination’s fantasies

longing for contentment

pleads for mercy

falls upon deaf ears

leaving us wandering in a
desert searching for the

living water  to
fully satisfy our thirst...
born to yearn

starving for
meaning and purpose

only yields emptiness 

in fleeting satisfactions

more - always more -

never enough

with no end in sight

is this all there is?

are we only to live and die

always striving to
fill our cravings

sometimes so compulsive

yet at other times

noble and breathtaking

finally to be condemned to an
endless slavery of
seeking but never finding
only in the end to discover that

infinite desire requires
infinite fulfillment...

conceived to embrace Love

beyond human measurement

experiencing true satisfaction 

can only be realized

in Perfection
never imperfection

never in things which

always perish or

accolades which vanish when 

another victor is crowned 

but only in Another
a Personal entwining

where Eternal Love is
forever shared

the Thou of I and Thou

the sign of the One
embedded in my soul

planted there at my conception
a Mystery alluded to by

Revelation’s Tell:

restlessness of heart
for the One who is

beyond all expectations

the fulfillment of all desires
it is He who beckons me to

ask and I shall receive

seek and I will find 
knock and it will be opened

He was always there
waiting for me to
say yes and find True
Rest in Him

Reflection/Discussion:

-How does "tells" in poker compare to the "tell" in human nature?

-Are there any other "tells" of the Eternal One in human nature? 

-How would you describe them? 

-How could you engage someone in a conversation about the "tell" of the infinite?

The Circle

praise and thanksgiving...
living for the Lord to
love Him first
above all
before all
Love as He Loves
the Ideal is
so far from my reality
but so close to my heart
so easy to be lost in daily living
caught up in circumstances
trials that challenge
faith to its edge
hope to its core
love to its end and
sometimes result in
anxious imaginations and
vain dreads that 

challenge progress by 
distracting me away
from the Source where my
eternal journey began
without realizing their detours of
self-centeredness
ego's enthronement
or futile striving

feeding my flesh's
unsavory appetites
until Mercy reveals the
projected course 

once again and
reawakens me back to
metanoia's resolve to

change my mind / heart

a repentance initiated by 

Grace's Mercy which 

points my heart back 

to the One who lifts me by 

the Spirit's wings
before Heaven's throne
there to worship in tears of
grateful sorrow
praise and thanksgiving
resolving once again to 

Love Him

first
above all
before all 

with all my heart and so
the circle of life continues
ever deeper
ever new

Reflection/Discussion:

-What is "Metanoia"?
-What is the 'circle'?
-What is your experience of getting "off track" and coming 'home' again?
-What are your 'anxious imaginations' and 'vain dreads'?
-How can we minimize 'falling away' from the Lord?
-What is your prayer life like?
-How can you become more disciplined in your walk with the Lord?
-How can you become more 'accountable' to others?

The Claim

yes or no
His claim demands an answer
He is or is not

Who He says He is
our response has meaningful
consequences for
now and forever
He was either a madman-
another in the
long line of lunatics 
making wild divinity assertions
who have
come and gone
throughout history or
He was who
He said He was -
The Son of God
in the Flesh...and
not just a good man
doing magical deeds
beyond explanation
no...More than just 

nice-but-a-little-off....
no... His teachings
relationships
interactions -
even miraculous deeds -

were always rooted in
Life-giving Reality
not  fantasy island
well then...was He
full of truth or deception?
He claimed to be The
Way...Truth...Life
did He lie about that?
was He proven to be a
deceiver about other things?
did He ever say one thing and
do another?
did He...ever...
promise one thing and
not deliver?
no...not once
then...there is the ultimate
assertion about the claim...
His Resurrection from the dead...
what we can say for sure is that
there were hundreds that saw Him
His disciples that spoke and ate with Him
then ultimately were tortured and
killed rather than deny Him
as well as the untold numbers
throughout history who
lived lives of self-sacrifice and holiness
who also testified with their blood...
so...if it was true then
it is so now that
He is Alive!
Risen from the dead to die no more -
proof that He is the Lord
the Christ
the Son of the Living God
we must either believe Him or not
and if we believe Him
accept His claim on our lives
to be His disciples
then we will know Him
as a lover experiences the beloved
even as we become His beloved
the Source and End of our lives
it is a personal decision
a giving over of our lives
our being is transformed
and no longer merely human
but is a sharing in His Devine Life
a communion not only with Love
but with those who also
become Divinized
there is no middle ground:
to believe a little and
not seek the More
is to not believe
to not be genuine
but lukewarm...false
so carefully reflect upon it
He asks
who do you say I am?
lunatic...liar or Lord?
deliberately choose...for
not to choose is
to choose
and if you believe His Claim
accept the Truth
follow the Way
live the Life
Be 'All In'!..

Reflections/Discussion:

-What are the arguments of lunatic, liar or Lord?
-What are the arguments against believing?
-What about all those saying they believe but not act like it?
-What keeps you back from accepting and following Jesus?
-If you accept His Claim, where do you go from here?
-What does being "all in" mean practically?

The Process

Your Love upholds me in unexpected -

even unperceived ways...
Desperate for your voice or touch
In a free-fall leading to destinations unknown
With only my fears and frustrations to comfort me,
A battle to surrender the death-grip
On my life and desires
Nurtured from long ago-
Identity's ideal both toiled and sought-
Is now contested by life's twists
And light's demise.
Clarity's illusion remembers itself
The more as tears fall within.
Silent cries for Mercy's relief,
Seeking the Lover of my soul,
Whose true union and calling
Passes through the cross.
Purity's gain lies in flaming embers
Rolling from opposing melodies and
Dancing in unison-but only in lilting revolutions.
True progress is a dream
Without compromise
Holding on with faithful weakness
Beyond resolution's might-
With only promises in sight-
Though not with any tenderness.
Trials, clothed in suffering,
Disciplines the heart
and molds the sojourner
into Light's image-though only by
Ego's power bleeding into air.
Surrender's affirmation is never-ending,
As sincere as it is impure.
Pride's effacement needs a Savior,
One who is tireless and adept
In the process of transformation
For the human heart
So entangled by self's enticing web.
Freedom from idolatry's prison-
Becoming a true child
By letting go of the me
In gift to You-
Through patient endurance-
Trusting by grace alone, and,
Never dying without a struggle,
We bear the imprint of Calgary
And a Glory to come
Letting it happen
In hope,
By faith,
With Love.

The Look

unrestrained tears
never ending
never comforting
only piercing 
wrapped my heart

in grief's shroud
after my
boastful professions
condemned me
not once but thrice
in sterile denials of 

my Love's Identity
but Mercy's Look
exposed my soul

drenching my pride 

in a mirror of humble 

regret and yet still

bore my guilt when 

my misdeeds' memories
awoke by morning's cry...

but now...looking back 

upon my stark accusations 

Unrequited Forgiveness

finds no resistance by

my simple repentance

which loosens the bonds 

by removing the shame

and gently reveals the 

start of new horizons

after the third day dawned...

Reflection/Discussion:

-How does "The Look" describe Peter's experience?
-Why did just a Look affect Peter so much?
-Have you ever had an experience like Peter's? Describe it.

-What is 'Unrequited Forgiveness'?

-Does 'Unrequited Forgiveness' remove your shame? Why / not?

-If it does not, what is the source of the shame? 

-How do you deal with it?
-How does Peter's experience portray the true meaning of 'simple repentance'?

-Is anything keeping you from 'simple repentance'? 

-If so, why? How do you deal with it to receive 'forgiveness'?  
-What does 'repent and believe the Gospel' mean?

The Cup

overwhelmed

I lay face down
numbed by agony
desperately searching for
another possible alternative

to accomplish My Merciful

Mission while being bathed 

in streams of torment which

conflicts My Heart with an

unrestrained aversion for
what I know is coming

made even more burdensome

by the images of countless souls

vehemently rejecting My out-

stretched Hand as they plunge 

into the eternal fires... yet... Grace 

enables Me to set My Face like 

flint in resolute determination to 

descend into the valley of the 

shadow of death reserved in 

silent acceptance while oozing 

Redemption in a Passionate 

Embrace burnishes My Soul 

without compromise by no longer 

grasping at any resourceful reprieve..

so...alone in company...fighting the 

deceitful temptation of abandonment 

from above the burden drowns Me in

Victorious Defeat and by consuming 

the bitter Cup steels My resolve for 

the many hearts now and still to come 

who will Surrender to Salvation's Gift

in a Vision Trusting My Father

for the Triumphant Outcome

Reflection/Discussion:

-How does "The Cup" describe Jesus' experience in the garden?
-How does "The Cup"  show Jesus' humanity?
-What does "conflicts Me into a torment oozing Redemption" mean?
-What does "victorious defeat" mean?
-How can Jesus' experience in the garden be an integral part of your prayer life?
-What us meant by "abandoned from above"?
-What is the "Triumphant Outcome" spoken about?

The Tempest

O blessed tempest that churns my soul

with battering gusts fomenting my
turmoil's desperation cry for relief...
your unrelenting tenacity carelessly 

tosses my heart's stability leaving me
wildly grasping for my Tether who slumbers 

in seeming disinterest bequeathing me

with only the benefit of His remembrance
offering me begrudgingly tepid consolation
but no longer shelter from anxious 

imaginations and vain dreads that 

explode within the assumed consequences 

of my plight too wild and forthright 

in their chaotic skills not to overpower my 

beleaguered defenses which compels 

me to revive Surrender to a Love more 

Powerful than any dark master seeking 

to capture my soul... His Faithfulness even

demonstrated to an extreme which 

promises to ripen into the fruit of Security's

Peace from a Union always offering more

than my faculties can grasp but which
competes for my commitment with imagined 

outcomes that ignite confusion's possibilities in a
daily contest between turmoil and serenity 
jousting for deliverance's prize or panic's triumph
this tempest's purpose has bestowed upon me a
Graced cup to fill my thirst with a fragrance 

that touches my heart driving me to resolutely 

pursue in bended spirit the Devine Adventure 

of  His outcome not mine and a Courage procured 

only by Faith not by sight to Trust in the Plan 

and Support of the One whose Love and Purpose 

for me has been proven without question despite

circumstances' testimony

Reflection/Discussion:

-Share an experience of your tempests.
-What have you learned?
-How do faith and feelings compete in you?
-How can you get support from others?
-How do you deal with tempests that are ongoing?
-How can you support others in enduring their tempests?

The Seeing

trials compete for the true perception of our present reality

often filtered by our finiteness and the prism of subjectivity
adversity challenges our Faith's vision as we seek understanding and relief

Eternity's advantage provides a more enlightened perspective
especially from the One who has already trod the Via Dolorosa and
triumphed over death's dark dominion
so let us commence the Seeing together and find the Truth midst labor's pain

you see your cross and say "Why me?"

I see your burden and say "Why not you?"
give Me the name of a loved one upon whose shoulders
you would place it in your stead for
all must walk from the darkness of the fall through change's portal
into Purity's Light though many decide to travel in the shadows
'till  in the end they find horror in the rewards
they vainly pursued

you see your cross and feel others elude such agony
seeming always to prosper while you struggle
from day to day

I see all and say no one escapes suffering
though appearances deceive
each journey is different yet the same
My call and offer have no limits save in the will of
every man since the battle for the soul is inward
and therein lies the many unseen afflictions

you see tribulation's pressure and wonder when it
will end and what purpose could it ever serve

I see gold in the making when in cooperation with My allowances
the flame of purification is accomplishing its mission

you see the temptation to escape everywhere you look
and find momentary solace in pleasure's company
sometimes turning from My Ways to seek freedom's play

but I see only a ball and chain when self is enthroned
while never finding the satisfaction sought

you see simply the struggle to carry your cross

I see your willingness to endure
Trusting despite uncertainty's din

you see your solitary journey and
despite prayer and personal support
feel the loneliness of your painful watch

I see your trusting faithfulness and the angels who
accompany your every step while My Presence fills
your sacred temple

you see the struggle to face your hardship and give
thanks in all circumstances as your feelings resist your will

I see the Spirit hovering over your waters re-creating
and renewing you in the image of Gethsemane's passage

you see a self of weakness and need

I see a heart becoming like Mine for
love is transformed by Love and in the end become One

so take comfort in these Truths
keep your eyes fixed upon Me and
Unite yourself with My timeless Calvary
for the sake of those you love and so
while seeing your present challenge
submerged in sorrow
know that this too shall pass

Reflection/Discussion:
-Which thoughts reflect your experience? How?
-Which "seeing" by the Lord struck you the most?
-How does an "eternal perspective" help?
-When looking back at past trials, how did the Lord use them?
-How do faith and feelings relate in your experience of trials?
-Do you have supportive relationships in your walk with the Lord?
-If yes, evaluate the openness and honesty with one another.
-If not, seek and you shall find at least one person to whom you can confide.

The Mother Mary

she was always there for Me

our bond like no other
My beginnings
shrouded in mystery
deterred her not in
her acceptance of Life and a
mission of humble service
joy was her mantle

surrender her heart's desire
love her gift
though My Identity was
beyond her understanding and
more than she could touch
she bathed My Soul with tenderness
with a strength Divine
while her smile fed my hunger
always lifting Me higher

than each day's challenges
she guided others to follow Me
as she herself grew in stature
'till sorrow's swords pierced 

her tender heart while staring

in disbelief at My stark end
yet again her submission
responded to My final request
taking all to be her very own 

children and to draw them

each to Me as her eternal calling
never yielding to temptations

of self-pity nor punishing anger
she bore My spent Body

in sorrowful mourning 

'till Resurrection's daybreak

now she rejoices to bring the 

Gift of New Life to every soul
without ceasing her hope for

the lost to be found she 

holds on to each of her 

own faithfully fulfilling

her calling to be their

Eternal Mother

interceding for a 

Glorious Finale

Reflection/Discussion:

-Describe Jesus' relationship with His Mother.
-What role did Jesus give to Mary?
-What part does Mary play in your life?
-How would you explain Mary to someone inquiring about her?

The Offering

sorrow propels my soul
along paths illumined by

a darkness that blinds my

world leaving me grasping

for the way forward without

any clarity of meaning or purpose

from circumstances that can 

only cry out for a Hand to grasp 

in Surrender's Trust to lead me

in this valley of shadows as I

make my way to eternity's shore
by sight unseen burdened under 

the weight of a fitted cross
'till grieving is relieved by a

Graced acceptance renewed

day by day strengthened by

Another's Offering much more

torturous than mine which

intentionally bore my pain 

and carried my sorrow yet 

allowing me to  join in His 

Brokenness Gifting for Love's 

sake whose bitter pain from 

long ago is made present by 

Grace and in that decision 

purpose can abound for intentions 

lifted by wings of tears and Mercy's 

embrace bearing a willingness to 

fulfill what is missing in the Body

I can share and extend Grace's 

measure to my heart's devotions

while deepening a bond of noble 

caresses of a Heart pierced and
Body bruised for all
including
you...

Reflection/Discussion:

-What is your experience of suffering?
-How can good come from our suffering?
-What does is mean to unite our sufferings with Jesus'?
-How can Jesus' suffering bring meaning to ours?
-What does Jesus' suffering for you mean to you?