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 appetites
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 of

compulsive conquests or

ensuring confusion's child of 
transitory genders that
cries for acceptance yet
does not accept their own...
I Gifted at conception
Redemption's bounty for hearts
paid-for with My Precious Blood
this 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 embraced 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 comes 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...

Now is the time for

Eternal Life or Death await!

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".

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?

The Revival Focus

grasping for solutions 

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  

and accompaniment     
as the young are led astray
by ideologies of relative 

feelings to decide changing

the changeless while being  
encouraged to experiment in

varieties of pleasures for 

Identity's confusion resolution
while Churches close and 

'nones'  multiply exponentially 

and the solution of  progressive 

catechesis is proposed to mitigate 

the lethargy...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 Infinitely / 

Passionately Loves them and

Created them for a
Supernatural Identity of
Intimate Union and a
Glorious Eternity beyond
their temporal / finite limitations

in this broken world...
only when the Call of 

'Metanoia' is embraced  to 

'Change your Mind / Heart...

Repent...Believe the Good News'

only when their hearts are open to

Receive the One for whom
they have been Created
when Divinity is Enthroned

in their Heart of hearts

as their Baptism is Revived
when they accept the invitation to
surrender themselves to the
Sacrificed Savior
Risen to New Life as
Lord of their lives and further

when their Confirmation is

Revived as the Holy Spirit's

Anointing in Power and Love 

is Consummated so that 
lives are entwined...
person to Person

heart to Heart...  
to become Intentional

Disciples on Fire for

the Kingdom of God

Obedient to His Word -

Getting Back to Basics -

only then is 

the Church Renewed

only then is there

Revival

Reflection/Discussion:

-What is Revival?

-What is 'Getting Back to Basics'?
-What is the place of catechesis?
-How is Baptism 'Revived'?

-How is Confirmation 'Revived'?
-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?