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 a heart and strength like his father
but even when understanding was
beyond my grasp I knew
He was more
Divine than He appeared and yet
always so playful but also
oh so serious
with an intent and purpose
always beyond His years
presenting me with more to
ponder than I could ever fathom
still He could never refuse my requests
a little game we always played
which carried on even after He left home
but then His Anointing propelled 

Him into the desert and immediately

He began a journey filled with wonders and
words spoken with an Authority I
only had seen once before...still
I could sense a sorrow was coming
even if He had not said so Himself
though it was far beyond even
imagination's boundaries
I was not prepared for the
anguish that overwhelmed me
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 of sorrow
piercing my heart
came once more
when He said
His last words to me
echoing our past to
continue my mother's care

for the many souls to follow
I could only nod and look away
wondering how I could ever
get beyond my grief when
a final cry of surrender
was all that was left
'till I held Him one last time
while kissing His Face with tears
I tried to hope in His promise

Reflection/Discussion:
-How does "The Son" describe Mary and Jesus' relationship?
-What aspect of their relationship attracts you?
-Do you think "a little game we always played" 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
this world's most
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 reigns because
I say it is
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 the
Image of God with
freedom for Glory
favored with Dignity to share an
Eternal Union with Divinity
an Intimate Marriage of
person to Person
though fragile and imperfect
known and loved as we are
received through repentance
so let us choose to surrender
our hearts to Jesus as

Our Lord and Savior
the One who
formed us in the womb
died for our sins
rose to New Life
called us by name
given us the Power of
the Holy Spirit  to follow Him
liberty to live as
Sons and Daughters of the Father
to experience the
Love of Him who first
Loved us
healed and set free
from sin and the
grasp of the evil one  to
grow in holiness
persevere through trials
listen for His quiet voice 
share His Love with others
witness by our lives to the
One who is
Alive and Real
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?
-What is "relativism" and how would you refute it?
-Prepare a brief (5 minute) sharing of the Gospel.
-Prepare a brief personal testimony of how you became a Catholic/Christian.

The Healing

forever assuming
abandonment by
an uncaring Father

leaving orphan wounds

of mistrust / insecurity

when sorrow's arrow
stops turning
pointing to its target
in my heart
a recurring nightmare
of loss
disturbing daily life
without apologizing
for its intrusions
reliving yesterday's pain today
without the benefit of
tomorrow's perspective
despite the protest
from my soul
rebellious emotions 
squander faith's savings
only to discourage
an embattled belief
struggling to stay afloat
buffeted by turbulent seas of
unanswerable questions
rescue resounds
when Grace is released
through prayer's supplication
and a trusted shoulder of
the Man of Sorrows is
resurrected in my soul
bearing my burden
carrying my cross
soothing my sorrows
speaking
words of comfort
softly
relieving my ache
tenderly
knowing my frailness 
without remembering
my doubts
based on fear's
terrible fortune
only Sacrificial Love

can offer Mercy to 

offenders bringing 

balm to bruises while
overcoming heartache
with an embrace of 
never-ending assurance
providing relief
though only temporarily  
knowing that acceptance
ushering peace is
intermittent but
growth is ensured
healing measured

yet sustained   
despite
the challenge of
conflicted hope as

memories persist and

agonies fade 

Reflection/Discussion:
-How does "The Healing" describe dealing with loss?
-How can we let Jesus "bear our burden and carry our cross"?
-What does "the challenge of conflicted hope" mean?
-What are "orphan wounds"?
-What does "memories persist and agonies fade" mean?
-How does sharing with others help?
-How has your healing changed you?

 

Hell

-Fires of Hell?

 it doesn’t exist

 how could it?

 God is Love

 He wouldn't allow

 such a place to be
-a ridiculous myth of
 fear-mongering by
 over-zealous Neanderthal 
 control freaks
-who cares? I'll do what I

 want when I want

-this life is all that matters
-doesn't fit my belief system
-not worth thinking about
-probably not that bad
-no one's going there anyway
 everyone's going to be saved
-f bomb hell

but...
what if it exists because we

want it to exist so
we could go there?
just like in the beginning when
angels chose to be devils...
chose not to bow down to
anyone but themselves
what if it exists because it
most aptly defines who we are?
what if we wanted the
darkness and death of
sin's deceitful pleasures?...
Created with the
dignity of free will
would not God allow us to
freely reject Him
no matter what
the consequences?

refusing Love
choosing to live by
our own rules

we enthrone our
ideologies
passions
desires

as gods being
independent
self-centered

rebellious
entitled to be
worshiped / adored

all leading

back to a Self more
precious and deserving than
the One who 
holds the Keys of
Life and Death
where each is king
ruling kingdoms of
fantasy and bowing to no One
in this way
hell exists because

it is a reality of choice

a pattern of living death
centered around
some other thing
rather than the
Lord of Heaven and Earth
who offers Freedom
from the bondage of
inherited and
deliberate sin
received only through
repentance /
conversion of heart

a decision to give oneself
in mutual love and service

to the One who Died and 

Rose to bring us New and

Eternal Life but

when that is refused
we separate ourselves
from the God of Love
rejecting the Way 

Revealed in His Word 

embracing Self as 

all-in-all which is only

Justly continued and fulfilled

eternally after death
so then... Mercy's Grace
remains an Offer till the end
as does freedom's call for Justice
to all passing through the
Gates of Eternity
so... Choose carefully 

remembering 'not to choose 

is to choose' because

“wide is the gate and broad

is the road leading to destruction,

and many enter through it

small is the gate and

narrow is the road

that leads to eternal life

and only a few

find it.”

 Reflection/Discussion:
-What is the description of "Hell"?
-How is hell a "reality of choice"?
-Why don't we talk about hell?
-How do mercy and justice coexist in a God of Love?
-What does "conversion of heart" mean? 
-Do you think many people go to hell? Why/not?
-What does Scripture say about who goes to hell?
-What does the Church teach about hell?                              

Judgement

it’s over

only the Final Review remains

time has come to a stop

there is only the present

my "future" is to be judged by my past

death was but an instant

passing with a final breath

as quickly as light travels

now I must come before the Judge

the One who paid the Price for my
Salvation's possibility
He endured the
rigors of torment 

conquering death
offering New Life to
all who listened and
Chose to walk in His Ways

clearly written on our hearts by
nature's revelation and

Declared in His written Word...

my own response
now viewed only too clearly

began in childhood's fantasies
fervent imaginations
spurred by holy pictures
with rhyming bedtime prayers
laying me down to sleep...
teenage rebellion
loosened my footings
setting me upon wide paths
exploring delights
without pangs of deterrence...
career and marriage
brought a new seriousness
into perspective
children helped of course
somehow though
life got so busy
schedules
bills
marriage problems
job stress
kids in college...
my wife was always
the spiritual one
I would go to Church
but she took the lead
because she knew
I was never really
comfortable with it all
nor felt that connected but
I didn't fight it either

kind of 'go along to 

get along'...
I guess you might have
called me 'lukewarm'

but in my defense
I never really
heard what some people
have said was the
'Good News'
but I knew in the
back of my mind
that my Final Exam
would be on

what I have done
both good and bad and

what I failed to do

I guess

that is only fair and just-

upon what else could I be judged?

I guess I could have done

things differently but

I lived my life the way I saw fit

no one forced me to act or not act

and when I regressed
it was up to me to
change or not
who twisted my arm?

no one

who forced me to turn back or not?

no one

if I continued acting in the same way

who compelled me?

no one

the choice was always mine

it was always that way
for me and for everyone

whoever I am
I chose freely to be
now
it's over

now
it's too late to change
who I am

looking back

I did became more resolute
chose to try harder
but

sometimes
I went

back and forth...then

suddenly...
I died...

and now?

Reflection/Discussion: 
-Describe the man portrayed in "Judgement".
-Do you think his life is a common experience? Why/not?
-How could it have been different?
-What does "lukewarm" mean in this context?
-What would you say to help him?
-How can we make sure that everyone hears the Good News?
-Why don't we talk about the last judgement?
-Why isn't the last judgement talked about in Church?
-How can the last judgement impact your daily life?
-What is the Lord saying to you through this poem?