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?