The Suffering Fellowship

bearing our griefs
carrying our sorrows
sharing our suffering
rejected and
despised by humanity
He came to
Redeem His Beloveds
take upon Himself our
overwhelming sins and
Just punishments
offering forgiveness to
all who choose to
receive His Love
bestowing Divine Adoption-
a New Identity of
breathtaking Dignity-
unthinkable
unreachable when
left to our own
limitations but
despite these Truths
Jesus did not come to
prevent all our suffering in
this present existence for
it was freely chosen when
humanity's rebellion
set in motion
within sin's decision
the consequences of
anguish and death as our
daily bread
though He took them all
upon Himself as
Redemption's insufferable Price
they remain embedded in
our nature's experience by
Satan's hand to
wreck havoc in this life and
eternal damnation for
all who freely choose to be
chained to sin's dominion in
this present age
however when we
unite our suffering with
His upon the Cross in
timeless wonder
they are Redeemed by Grace
into good for us and those
for whom we pray
though often
hidden in faith they
bring meaning into the
adversity of pain by
being entwined with
His Enduring and thus
made One in
Suffering Fellowship
validating the Truth that 

we are Not Alone when
sorrow washes over us and
trials engulf us - even 

death's dark shadow

has been conquered by the
Light of His Resurrection
promised to each Disciple who
passes through its portal
rising to Eternal Joy
with sorrow banished and
every tear wiped away
so it is the Reality that we can
foretaste their demise now in the
experience of the Power of the Spirit
Whom He  Promised to send
which we now see and hear
as the first Fruit of His
Eternal Victory and the
Crown of Everlasting Life

Reflection/Discussion:
-Compare Isaiah 53 and Psalm 22 to this poem.
-How does Romans 8 fit-in with this poem?
-How does James 1:2-8 relate to this poem?
-How can you make "Redemptive Suffering" part of your life?
-Where in the Old Testament does it talk about the Holy Spirit being poured out?
-What does it mean to experience the Power of the Spirit?

The Weapon

suffering is a weapon
in the Kingdom of God
though darkness
boasts its terror to
crack our faith foundation
toppling trust's temple
into the quicksand of self-pity
ready to swallow-up
all who journey
Calvary's path...
impossible to avoid...
the evil one nevertheless
paints nightmares in
our imaginations
tempting us to live
surrounded with comfort cushions
to protect against hardship
avoid pain
be happy always
spitting out sorrow's
taste of bitterness
whatever the price
whatever the source
whatever the purpose
whether from the
selfish withholds of
committed love
sickness's surprise
financial ruin
nature's power
sin's rebellious destruction
self-infliction of addictions
ultimately death's
fierce inevitability
but the One who
bore our sin
carried our sorrows
healed our hearts
became our weakness
conquered death
offers His Life and

Ultimate Victory to us
for the asking...
suffering cannot be avoided
but it can be transformed
into a weapon to bring down
strongholds of darkness
change lives
heal wounds
calm fears
overcome barriers
bringing longsuffering

into transformations -

for ourselves... 

by molding us into an

'alter Christus' - one

like unto Christ - but only 

by Grace for it is

beyond our power alone

to be 'Holy' - Wholly 

Set Aside - to His Glory

for others...

by uniting our suffering with

Jesus on the Cross as an 

offering for those we love -

reformed by Grace into Grace -

a Weapon to Build the 

Kingdom of God and 

tear down the 

kingdom of the Enemy

Reflection / Discussion:

- Explain the Church's teaching on 'Redemptive Suffering'?

-Give an example in your own life.

-How does 'offering it up' help deal with suffering?

-Encourage others not to 'waste their suffering'  that is,

 simply 'getting through it' / 'putting up with it' or 

 complaining then, you will have the opportunity to 

 share with them this teaching which will transform 

 the way they look at suffering. It's transforming.

The Selection

at the end -
when temporal ends
and eternity begins -
when judgement
has to be made for
those who
have not encountered Me
having kept their hearts
to themselves without
any thought of Me...
many have questioned
what will happen to
these wayward souls?...
opinions one way
or the other are surmised
but no one really knows
except Me...
I continually Offer
New Life
Grace to Repent and
turn to Me
until
time runs out...
no one knows the
day or the hour
except Me...
hoping for a
change of heart
My Love is
never held back...
I allow difficult
circumstances  to
present opportunities for
coming Home but
some never accept
so
what am I to do?
it comes down to
one question for
each to answer
which brings each
face to face
with their own choice of
how they have already
determined for themselves
eternity's reward
by asking:
throughout your life
whom have you
freely chosen to
love and adore?
who was always first
in your heart?
for now and eternity
I shall permit you to
possess what you have
always selected to be
your all -
yourself...alone in 

the fiery darkness
but then again -
since you are reading this -
there is still time...

Reflection/Discussion:
-Who is first in your life?
-How do you show that?
-What needs to change in your life to grow in holiness?
-Where can you get support to change?
-How can you help those close to you to put Jesus first?
-How can you love Jesus more openly?

The Prodigals

wounded by
sin's original consequences
deceived by
modern fantasies of
independence and
self-fulfillment
ignoring the
reality of sin by
keeping their
hearts firmly in
their own possession
Prodigals have
withdrawn from My Presence
even those who call
themselves My Children -
followers of My Son -
by fulfilling the minimums
while resisting surrender
superficially faithful
while picking and choosing
what to believe and 

how to live their faith

while others...without pretense

are conquered by the
forces of darkness by
having their feelings
direct their behavior
thus proving them
chained to the
whims of a fallen nature
while their pride prevents the
dignity of My Gift -
to share My Nature -
bought by Precious Blood
thoughtlessly ignoring
My Love they
pursue their own desires
following the world's ways
ignoring My offer of Mercy
so
here I stand on
Calvary's hilltop
suffering with My Son
waiting with open arms
just as His are spread by
nails of sin
Our Hearts pierced by
rejection's spear
still...We have sent the Spirit
far and wide to
call and empower
Our Prodigals to
change their hearts

change their minds

Believe the Good News
return home by Grace

persevere through Satan's

temptation to gain the 

whole world so as to

finally sup with Us by

Breaking Sacred Bread 

together once again

thus
We entreat in tears:
turn back from
wandering foreign lands!

hear our Merciful plea!
your Royal Rings
and Robes
await!

Reflection/Discussion:
-Who are the Prodigals?
-What are some of the pitfalls for Prodigals?
-What does it mean to "come home"?
-What are some of the obstacles Prodigals face to come home?
-How does a Prodigal 'come home'?
-How can you help bring Prodigals 'home'?
-What has to change to bring this about?

The Golden Door

your inmost being -

that which you
protect with
formidable defenses
made impregnable from
years of construction
all to secure your heart
Created and Loved by Me yet
wounded... from within... by
sin's original damages:
-an intellect
darkened and prone to deception
-a will
weakened by the
defiant menace of pride
-fierce narcissistic inclinations
which all too often act
as tyrannical dictators...
and... from without by...
-others' transgressions of
commission / omission-too
often by those closest to you
-lies of the Enemy ravishing
your True Identity as a
Precious Child of God
-your own sinful responses
from decisions crafted as damage
control in order to to move forward

but... in the depths of all the
sometimes quiet disorder
there resides your heart which
stores all that has pierced it
as well as being the core of
your identity / seat of your authority -
which has only one entrance - a 

Golden Door which is
locked securely with the
Key of Freedom -
gripped ever so fiercely- and
to be opened
by an interior handle -
its only possibility -
a decision to be made
with utmost deliberation for...
-no one enters
without your invitation
-no one remains
without your permission..
-no one is evicted
without your consent...
Behold...
I stand at the Door
and knock...
-always gently
yet persistently
-always inviting
never demanding
-always respecting
never compelling
nor despairing
holding on to the hope to
become your Beloved for...
you have always been My Desire...
it is by your Acceptance of
My Love that your Baptismal
Identity is Affirmed and
Transformation into My
Disciple commences ...that
we may become One as
I have always Longed-for
since your Inception's Desire in
My Father's Heart so that I may
Give Myself to you and
you to Me... the
Sharing of Our very Nature
with you...as your old nature
will begin the ultimate Journey
step by step into Perfect
Love's Triumphant Glory
healing by healing
Tenderly being Renewed into
Joy's Perfect Image-
My Promise to you
written long ago in My
Precious Blood which
remains to this day that...
I will Always Love you and
No longer will you be alone...
thus it is now that
I Stand and Knock...
Patiently Listening for the
sound of a decisive click
that makes My Heart
Race with Anticipation that...
-Light may enter to
scatter the darkness...
-Love to heal the broken and
-Life to conquer death...
Behold...
I Reveal Myself to you...
it is I...Jesus...

your Beloved...
May I Enter?

Reflection / Discussion:

-What are your formidable defenses
-Do you believe He waits in hopeful anticipation for you? Why/not?
-What is stopping you from "opening the door"?

-Are there patterns of sin that might make it difficult for you?

-Ask and He will direct and strengthen you.

-Begin to have a set time for daily prayer and Scripture Reading. 
-Contact a priest to explain your circumstances and go to Confession.

-Begin going to Mass at least every Sunday, more if possible

-Find a support group from your local parish.

-He has MORE for you. 

INVITATION PRAYER;  Jesus...Come into my heart. Please forgive 

me of my sins. I repent and turn away from them and turn to you. 

Come and BE the LORD of my life...BE my SAVIOR...I give 

myself to you. Be First in my life. Thank you f or your Mercy and Love. 

Take me...I am yours.

The Dialogue

My invitation is ever the same
for those who come after Me:
will you follow My Way?...

Lord Jesus, you know I will.
.
Yes, but I call you to be
more than you think you can be...

What does that mean, my Lord?

Your vision is of ministries,
doing great things for Me while
overcoming the pull of darkness
in your life....

But, what is wrong with that?

It is good that you desire to serve Me
and overcome the sin that clings so closely
to you. But, there is more...

You mean perfection?

Yes...but not as you mean it...

Well then, what do You mean by it?
What are you asking of me?

Perfection is not great, it is little,
just as I became little for you.
It is not complicated; rather, it is simple
like a child cuddling close to his mother
or listening for her voice in the
sleepy morning.

It is not straining to
do everything right, but, rather,
being at Peace with your weakness
knowing you are Loved for who you are.

It is not living up to your ideal image
trying to become the person you want others
to "see". Rather, it is living in transparency where
your heart is joined with Mine and no one can
tell the difference.

It is not what you do, but who you are...

Lord Jesus, how can this happen?

It's so different than the way I think about things.
How do I live your Perfection and not mine?
It seems like more than I can do.

It is not a mountain to conquer nor
a river to tame but, it is a battle nonetheless,
for you live in a world under the power
of the evil one. His words deceive and accuse.
Even doing good can become the excuse for
not doing the more noble, more arduous
even illogical to those bound by darkness...

Sigh.  Lord, it all seems too much.
How does all that fit together?
I need to know how to live as
your disciple in all the many things I
have to do and the relationships I have.
Can you simplify all that you have said
and maybe sum it up for me?
I do want to please you; so, can you

show me how to do that?

I know your heart; the secret longings
even you do not yet see, and, I Love you.
Yes, it is good that it is too much for you-
that is the Truth of your Life with Me.

It is not in constant striving that you 

become One with Me, rather, it is depending

on My Mercy that transforms you. It is not 

doing more, but, being more...not focusing 

on you but Me.

What pleases Me is your love in return because
only then can I give you more of Myself, only then
can I Love others through you. So, to be My
faithful witness, do not hide your Love for Me.
Love Me simply, straightforwardly, openly for all to see
knowing that it is only by My Spirit that you can
do so. That is a reality to embrace, not reluctantly, but
rather, joyfully, for it is in weakness that you find
your true strength - like a peaceful child securely 

holding his mother's hand. That is the Way as in the
sleepy morning... 

Lord, how do I get from here to there?

Take my hand...

Reflection/Discussion:

-What does 'perfection is not great but little' mean?
-What are the ways you "hide" your love for Jesus?
-How can you love Jesus more simply, openly and straightforwardly ie. childlike? 
-How can you become more "childlike"?

-How does depending on Mercy transform you rather than striving?

-What does 'not doing more, but, being more' mean?

-What does focusing 'not on you but Me' mean?
-What area(s) in your life is it difficult to surrender to the Lord?
-How can you practically grow in trust for a difficult area in your life?
-Find a support group to whom you can be accountable.

The Everyman

unbelieved

despite witness's testimony

everyman needed evidence

even as a Savior's Desire beckoned

seeing is believing his birthright

eyes must see

hands must touch

for death’s conquest

and faith’s fulfillment

tender Mercy responded when

weakness cried out 

eternal wounds bearing testimony

of the Anointed One’s Gift

so faith was born by senses filled

everyman seeks inspection still

when the invitation is given

seeing and touching the need

and as always Mercy responds

overcoming by Revelation in 

mind and heart touched by

a Presence making everything New

yet when the dark valley’s mist

veils the traveler’s vision

opportunities arise for Love’s 

testing everyman in everyway

devoted Trust

when feelings flee Grace abounds

held fast by Hands

scared by Love's Donation

a Sacrifice for everyman

in Faith’s Decision secured by

his Abiding Presence even

though Veiled in Mystery

Reflection / Discussion:

-How is Faith a Decision?

-What Evidence is there to Believe?

-What is your 'story' of Faith in Jesus?

-How is Faith tested in 'the dark valley'?

-What does it mean for Jesus to be your 

 Personal Lord and Savior?

-What would it take to 'Accept Jesus into your life'?

                                               

The Virtue of Chastity

in a hook-up culture-

Satan's favorite playground- 

moral relativism reigns where
right and wrong is
based on one's
subjective viewpoint and is
of course always correct-
feelings are enthroned
pleasure is worshiped
narcissism enshrined
desires deified and
freedom is transformed into
slavery as our whims
thrust sex into degradation-
used merely as a
recreational activity by

one's self-inflictions or
with willing actors
outdoing one another to
win the Oscar for
Best Performance in an
Erotic Fantasy...
bodies...even our own...
are there to be "used" to
satiate our
infinite cravings which are
viewed as "natural"...
"God-given" and "normal"
to be obsessed as objects
for our compulsions-
no longer as subjects
with inherent Dignity as a
Person created to
share in Divine Life and
treated with
Deference and Respect
so therefore instead of
being our servant-
ruled by our
intellect and will-
sex becomes our
overbearing taskmaster
an OCD-like tyrant who
commands compliance
even morphing into
our primary Identity and
purpose in life
which reaps what it sows
with STD's abounding and
HIV/AIDS destroying
even the innocent...yet
its gravest penalty is the
death of the soul
placing our own desires
above God's Word only to be
drowned in the self-centered mire of sin...
but as powerful a drive as sex is
Grace is more potent to
live a life of Chastity-
the freedom to live God's plan
for human sexuality-
an expression of the
gift of self to our spouse-
the embodied donation of
1 man and 1 woman in marriage-
nature's obvious fit-
which is ordered to the
fruit of children where
each is committed to
the good of the other-
not just an opinion but
an Objective Truth
not hateful and repressive
but loving and liberating-
a symbol of and participation in
Christ's Selfless Gift to His Bride-
the Church- as well as the
Mystical Union of the Trinity-
whether married or single
we are all called to be chaste-
to daily live out God's plan for
sexual love according to our
state-in-life
a fruitful sacrifice of Love to be
lived out day by day...
easy? no....
possible?...only by Grace
yet the power of sex drives
lustful temptation toward
its misuse seemingly
everywhere we turn
and though we may
struggle to be faithful
freedom begins in humility
repentance
surrendering our desires...
minds...hearts and wills to
our Savior and Lord
admitting our need for
His Power in daily prayer
living in the light by
seeking the support of our
brothers and sisters
in the Lord
virtue is gained through
prudent self-discipline
turning our attention
away from temptation's lure

as an Offering of our desire to
love the Lord above all and
whose Intimate Spirit is
within the Temple of our bodies
Chastity is a jewel in the
Crown of Glory
not resulting in a life
unfulfilled
unhappy and
frustrated
but of
Joy in the Beloved-
the Fulfillment of
All Desires

Reflection/Discussion:
-Is Chastity a valued virtue in your life? How?
-What is moral relativism?
-How does a "hook-up culture" degrade people?

-How is self-inflicted sex harmful?
-How do you guard your relationship with the Lord regarding Chastity?
-What does "prudent self-discipline" mean in this context?
-What are the "near occasions of sin" in your life?
-What support do you have for a chaste life?
-What is the "natural law" argument for one man, one woman marriage?

The Dream

sorrow's incense leaked from the

silent recesses of my soul
marking the throes of a death-watch
endured through years of
vain determination to
revive a broken bond
ultimately arriving at it's
predetermined destination
a dream of married love
in the Lord which
never seemed to
take direction
but honestly
never really began
four loves brought joy
though never enough to
prevent the inevitable
decades' days desperately seeking a
faint light of clarity
yielded only confusion as
mourning began each day and
night awoke the
darkness of dejection
my sowing of other unions'
purported joy
reaped a harvest of
self-pity gathered into
sheaves of depression when
facing the loss of divorce
unanswered questions impelled
counsel's futile intervention
friendship's relative support
somewhat lightened
the crux of my burden but
nevertheless produced
isolation even in company
while prayer's indiscernible fruit
grasped at faith's blinded insight
yet even with the compassionate
Lord's Hand in mine
I could barely measure Comfort's
meager consequence while
trekking in the valley of shadows
kindled a grief as yet unknown by the
piling on of our young loves'
unasked questions
arising from our unasked-for decision
as insufficient explanations
stripped away their precious familiarity
ripping apart security's mantle by
having to digest the
forced feedings of brokenness in the
silent wonderings of their young hearts
still
we banished enmity with
mutual respect never
speaking ill of the other in their company
always mindful of our
treasures' delicate nature
then at long last
the sigh of my relief' echoed in the twilight
as I departed without fanfare though
agony's companionship
accompanied my mitigated hope
for years to come
Love's supplication proved daunting to
carry my cross
share His burden
heal the wounds with
Grace to forgive-
little by little to
let go of the loss
surrender to a greater Love
offering far more than dreams
trusting that
somehow
someway
sometime
the Lord will
bring about some good
out of all this mess
as a shoot of New Life-
moistened by tears-
sprouted imperceptibly

Reflection/Discussion:

-How can you overcome the isolation of divorce?
-How can both parties make it "easier" for the children?
-How can the Church support the divorcing couple?
-How can you support a friend getting divorced? 
-What part does suffering play in the Christian Life?

The Lover

the unexpected Presence

bearing a startling Revelation

pierced my heart-

an arrow of Light
entwined with conviction

so bright 

so provoking

so Other

I dared not peek

as I cried in anguish at the

Truth reflecting back at me

through the veil of Holiness

as Mercy undeserved poured

from my Savior's Chalice bearing

unbearable debt strained
by Compassion's filter
lifted my soul from
guilt's quagmire
leaving me weightless of
sin's burden and

certain that I was lifted in Love

borne by a forgiveness unearned
yet ...in weakness I fumed-
angered that my
own idolatry was the
answer to my petitions
lo all these months to
show me ALL of my sins
so as to repent and be free

to know the Joy of  Liberty

this unveiling surpassed
my naive petitions
propelling me to ask in awe
as Mercy cascaded over me...

why... why do you Love me so
without reservation or judgement?
how is it that I am

so generously received when
I have been so
pitifully self-absorbed and

enamored with my own image?
the answer came
so clearly
so simply...
'That is Who I Am 

a Turning is all I Desire'
an amazed acceptance was
my only response to...

so heavy a Presence

so taken the weight

so dark the burden
so great the flow of tears

so Light the One

in Patience Thirsting for
hearts to come home             

spurned too often by His 

Beloveds- a never ending 

Calvary- yet...everything 

changes when

Love is encountered
then embraced and
the hard way commenced
through the narrow gate so...

ask and
you shall receive 
seek and
you shall find
knock and
it will be opened
as the 

Holy One of Israel...
Creator of Heaven and Earth...
Eternal and Immutable...

King of Kings...

Lord of Lords...

Savior of the World 
becomes
your Lover...Forever

Reflection/Discussion:

-Describe the experience.
-Are experiences like the one described earned? Why/not?
-What place do feelings have in our Faith experience?

-How does "That is who I Am, a Turning is all I Desire" relate to your life?

-How do you do that?

The Hour

it is upon us
so it begins
we descend into darkness
into the enemy's hands
persecution justified by
pretentious progressive machinations
in the name of human rights
but in reality is
human degradation
majorities become minorities
when deception converts the
masses into believing
right is wrong and
wrong is right
vacuous opinions serving as facts
with only force as a foundation
laws become instruments of
enforcing the latest logical extension of
relative principles conceived in
enlightened imaginations
devoid of tolerance
while nature's law enhanced by
revelation becomes supposedly the
trivial pursuit of
ancient prejudices clothed in
modern sophistries of
religious neanderthals who have
no regard for human advancement and
deserve whatever ill
may come their way
faithful followers of Jesus
become the hunted prey of
social exterminators wearing the
regalia of authority making
melodramatic accusations of
hate and bigotry 
against everything that doesn't 

fit their latest woke truism 
no matter how ridiculous their
take on reality proves to be
just as long as no one observes that
the emperor has no clothes on but
wheat must be separated
from the chaff-
renewal of the Body
through purification's fire-
how long that takes is providential
but salvation or damnation
is at stake
the time of apostasy has arrived
though it won't be
viewed as such
rather only as being
open-minded

tolerant and
non-judgmental

updating doctrine for

today's culture...
trials and tribulations
hatred and ridicule
await Jesus' disciples who
resist the world's pressure to
cave to their tyrannical
new world order of
humanitarian ideals
which in reality only serve to
tighten the grip of the
ancient adversary
whose way is wide and easy
while hidden by
authoritarian arguments
from a new generation of
rebellious minions...
be prepared to
speak the Truth in Love
stand firm in the Lord and
in the Power of the Holy Spirit for
the hour is here

Reflection/Discussion:
-Where do you see persecution happening in our culture?
-How does it affect you?
-How are you growing in your relationship with Jesus?
-What are you doing to deepen your understanding of Christian Morality?
-What does it mean to "speak the Truth in Love"?
-How can you Love your enemies?
-If enemies looked at your life, would it merit persecution? Why/not?

 


 

The Desert

barren

without direction
a journey with
limited results
unsuccessful attempts
rooted in supposed

holy desires
searching for fruition

losses too heavy to carry

blur my vision of trust
while petitions ending in
endless frustration
leaves me to question
my motives even
my decisions of surrender
each peeling away
layers of self
mired in the world
reactions not founded in Love
weaknesses open to
deadly spiritual sins
motivate me to seek
Grace's intervention
cleansing bit by bit
slowly discovering a
glimmer of Light
leading upward
squinting for clarity
sensing yet again to
let go of the lesser
though lofty goal to
serve the mission of the One
though often chained to
self's centrality
for the more pure
union of a Lover
release me
from myself to
embrace surrender in
everything to You
jealous for my heart to
burn with
singular Passion
despite being
beyond my power to
complete which begs for
You to make it so since
I cannot
this invitation is
painfully grasped
without assurances of
perseverance in
surrendering my control
leaning not on my own
understanding while
acknowledging His Lordship
provides an inkling of Trust in the
night's caressing breeze and
captures a Promise to
work all things for good
though now unseen and
unfelt while living in
suspended space

Reflection/Discussion:
-What is the Desert?
-Where is the hope in this poem?
-How does a desert experience fit into faith?
-Is it "normal" in our faith development? Why/not?
-How have you experienced something akin to the desert? Expain.
-How do you deal with the desert experience? 
-How does the desert purify you?
-Is this something to desire? Why/not?

Hope

hope comes from faith

is rooted in the Love

of the One who first loved us

but sometimes the forces of death

trials and sorrow overwhelm

our puny defenses

why’s so often triumph

over hope in the face of seemingly

overpowering odds...questions can 

pierce our armor and deal dark 

blows to our souls:

Who can understand loss?

Why is this happening to me?

this is so unfair

Where's the justice in all this?

others seem to get off scot-free

so...why me?

I can't take all this...

When's this going to end?

This is pretty discouraging

where's the promise that

all things work for good

for those who love him?

I don’t see it

I don’t feel it

only darkness surrounds me and 

the Light of the world 

isn't very Bright right now...

He doesn't seem to be very interested...

maybe He's too busy to take notice...

the One who said He

will always be with us

seems to have forgotten me...

I know He isn’t a liar but

maybe He was exaggerating 

a little bit...but anyway...

comfort avoids me

no matter how much I beg

the trial goes on and on

without any certitude nor

end in sight... 

but His Word stands firm

it doesn’t waver

it doesn’t collapse

in the face of dark powers

it’s light beacons hope

even when feelings fail...

faith in the One who bore

our pain and carried our sorrows

who suffered for our wrong-doing

who walked through the valley of death

sharing our trials and aloneness

lifts us up by the Spirit's Strength -

it is His Power not mine that

buoys my soul when I cannot

He is the One who touches us

when we cannot feel His embrace

He is the One who loves us

when we feel we are unlovable

He is the One who carries us

when we cannot walk anymore

Hope is in Him because by 

Grace Alone we can believe

even when we are numb -

not feeling faith / hope -

doesn’t mean we are conquered...

it only means we need others

to help us bear the burden

of our calling right now...

it is a stark reminder of our

humble human condition that

needs a Savior...is dependent

on Grace...needs purification

shows our need for More than

what is seen...touched...the 

material limitations around us... 

are we not called to an infinite

fulfillment which points beyond

these pitiful limits?

does not the love of others

manifest His Heart of Comfort?

do not His wounds and scars-

still visible in Risen flesh-

cry for us to come to Him

in Trusting Hope that we too 

will Rise someday with Him...

this too shall pass...His Grace

is sufficient for me and that

a Graceful flower shall blossom 

from this seed of sorrow 

telling a story of hope-filled

re-creation by this sharing of 

His Passion bringing a Union

that was beyond my own making...

trial and sorrow can conquer us 

but they can also bring us closer

to the One who First Loved us and

who will never leave us nor 

forsake us...Who has given us

Brothers / Sisters in the Lord

to walk with us on the Via 

Dolorosa...Who has given us 

His Holy Spirit to empower us 

beyond our puny strength...Faithful...

our Rock...Fortress...our 

Eternal Hope

Reflection / Discussion:

-Describe some challenging trials you have endured.

-How were you tested?

-What were the ups and downs involved?

-Where did the Lord fit into your experiences?

-How did you grow through these trials?

-What did you learn?

-What would you do differently the nest time?

-Let us be grateful even for the hard times. His is still Lord.

Faith

a stark question can be 

very helpful -:

Is your faith real or

only words?
How do you know?
by the fruit it bears when

lives are changed

sin is overcome

habits of death are 

starved by the 

Bread of Life and Gospel 
Life’s treasures are discovered...

What is the measure of true faith?

obedience because

it is only when
faith is lived out in
compliance to His Word

as taught in His Body
passed down from
the beginning

only then can
faith be secure and
grow in fruitfulness for
faith and obedience

go hand in hand

it is easy to say
'I am a believer' -

picking and choosing

what I believe and
what I obey

only makes a Pharisee

not so with

'I am obedient' -

love demands consistency

in belief and action

faith is grounded in truth

expressed in obedience

which is expressed in fidelity

it's easy to talk ‘faith talk’

it’s easy to feign fidelity

it’s easy to push 

one’s own agenda

in the name of faith but

not so much when

crucifixion

is at stake

it is in giving over ourelves...

values...plans...will...control that
faith encounters trust

and trust encounters love

Jesus is the model of
trust and love...Mother

Mary and the disciples

follow His example

demonstrating how to
believe...trust...love
their Lord and Savior by

blood spilled in the

holding fast of faith
not in the transitory gains

from empty words of
self's boastful claims

faith will grow when we

put ourselves in a position of
service and readiness to
obey the One who

Obeyed His Father 

Believed His Word

Trusting in Love 

even when it led to

His Death

so which way will you go?

which path are you following

the way of self-will or the
way of death to self?

it is only in asking plainly

and simply that you will

find your answer...

Are you ready to give away your life?

Are you willing to put aside

your vision of faith for

the Way of the Kingdom of Heaven

handed down...codified in His Word

guarded and proclaimed in

Sacred Tradition by His Church?

Faith's obedient response

grounded in Trust and Love

proves the Truth of belief

as it is rooted in righteousness

not letting itself be
deceived by disobedience

in a faith
gutted of Truth

Reflection / Discussion:

-How can you tell True Faith vs Feigned Faith?

-How do Faith and Obedience go hand-in-hand?

-What are some examples in today's Church ?

-What is Modernism? 

-What are some examples?

-Why is it a heresy?

-How can you grow in Faith?

-How does Scripture and Tradition fit into one's Faith?

The Resting Place

                                                                                                                          
silence boasts dawn’s darkness

winter winds

searching for a direction

empty hearts 

longing to be filled

infinite desires

needing more than limitations

illusions of meaning 

fighting for survival

restlessness 

crying for cessation

Love 

knocking on lonely doors

breaking bread 

on heaven’s table 

turning wheat 

into earth's salvation

seeing with closed eyes 

the One unseen

life receiving the Gift 

of a Death freely given as

night blossoms 

into Light while tears fall 

in sorrow and joy when 

I encounters Thou and

my journey turns from
seeking to finding in
my Treasure's

Resting Place

Reflection/Discussion:
-How do our many desires speak of the eternal?
-What is the Resting Place sought?
-With what do you identify in this poem?
-How do we deal with our earthly desires after finding The Resting Place?
-How do we bring order into disordered desires?

-How do you go from seeking to finding?

The As If

realities sometimes are
taken for granted
relationships often suffer
from just that and
so it is with Faith
Hope and Love...

Sacred Scripture

Confession
going to Mass
Communion
Grace before meals

Sign of the Cross

Rosary
Commandments...
Love the Lord your God with
all your heart and
your neighbor as yourself
Jesus died and rose
the Gift of the Holy Spirit
you are My witnesses
proclaim the Good News to
every creature...

yeah...I know...God is Love...
how many times have we
heard that before?
so...what else is new?
ho-hum, what time's the game?...
work's a killer this week...

hey...what's going on this weekend?...
too many things to think about...
too many ingrained habits...
easier to 'go along' than to
'get going' even when
we call ourselves Catholic and 

'lukewarm' is too 'hot' 

a description for us

but....
What would my life look like if
I ACTUALLY LIVED
AS IF...
Jesus REALLY DID die for... ME?
He IS ALIVE and REAL and
LIVES IN ME and is
PASSIONATELY IN LOVE with me

and WANTS to have a 

PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP WITH ME...
I AM a Son of God...
God IS my Father...
I CAN trust Him...
I DO have the Power of the Holy Spirit...
I actually DO HAVE His Gifts and He
WANTS me to use them...
Jesus IS REALLY present in the Eucharist...
He is ABSOLUTELY HOLY and I am not... 
He wants to USE ME to bring others to know Him
He HEARS ME when I speak to Him and
He DOES want to Speak to me...
He WANTS to ABIDE in me....
He wants to BEAR MY SORROWS...

He wants to HEAL my inner wounds...
He wants to LOVE others through ME...
He IS my joy and peace...
He IS my All in All...
what if I ACTUALLY Lived
AS IF it were ALL TRUE?
where do I begin?
how about I
ASK JESUS: how DON'T I live AS IF...

then Repent / Change my mind and

BELIEVE the Good News...and
BEGIN TODAY to Live AS IF.....
because.....
IT IS ALL TRUE!!

Reflection/Discussion:
-What practical things can you do to live each day "AS IF"?
-Where will you begin?
-How can you keep on living "as if"?
-Pray, act, speak, live "as if"...........
-Be accountable to someone.
-Join a men's/women's group of believers

The Denudation

not content
with the state of
our Intimacy -
an inability to
receive more
always much more than
we can process
the Spirit strips us of
our false securities
whatever is not
God Alone-
props for a
self-sufficiency
unfounded in reality-
through perfectly
tailored  trials -
storms that rage -
ripping away
treasured stabilities
one at a time but
sometimes
all at once
leaving us disoriented...
feeling alone / abandoned
by a faith depersonalized and
stretched beyond capacity 
causing us to yearn for a
relief that doesn't come on
our own terms
neatly protected
under tight control...  
we resist this
tearing away of
self's enthronement
without the light of a
clear vision or the
strength of our previous
self-confidence...
tribulations reveal
our hidden sins /

foundational weaknesses -
now front and center -

fruits of the world...the

flesh and the devil...
anger...
envy / jealousy...
fear / mistrust...
self-pity...
self-centeredness...
self-reliance...
self-will
pride that hides
our faults or wants to 

rebelliously hold on to them...

seeking comfort in the
flesh not the Lord

but a  New Way is proposed -
Dependence / Surrender -
because there is
nothing else that works...
a new-found trust
not tasted or touched
but only sensed
faintly
not all at once
but partially as
we seek Him
faithfully
day by day
yielding our desires
letting go of
knowing better than
Infinite Wisdom
we learn
unsought lessons
necessary for holiness -
a poverty of spirit
to begin with -
producing a tiny opening to
receive a river of
Power from above
rooted in a Love
stripping us of everything

but the Cross
The prime example 

to train us into
Patient Endurance...

Sacrificial Love...

the Sufficiency of Grace in
Courageous Surrender
bearing a Peace and Joy that
surpasses understanding
born through
the process of
Denudation

Reflection/Discussion:
-What is denudation?
-Why does this happen?
-Is this "normal" in the Christian Life? Why/not?
-What is "poverty of spirit"?
-Do you hide your true self? Why? How can that change?
-How can we support one another through this?
-How should we handle this when it happens?
-What is "Courageous Surrender"?

The Assumption

my shepherds

do not assume
that lines to receive
Me have first
received Me into
their hearts as
Lord and Savior
it is not so
few are disciples
who daily
seek My Face
worship My Presence
love Me above all
renounce sin
speak My Truth
trust through trials
suffer with Me
witness unto death
many have departed
from the simplicity
of the Cross
the call to repentance to
leave all behind
take up that Cross to
come after Me
do not dance the
dance of fear
nor intimidation to
speak My Word of
conversion of heart
all that fail to decide
have in that very fact
decided not to follow
and are in
eternal danger
My Grace is always
being offered
ready to be revealed
even to be rejected
My tears still flow for
My wayward children
entrapped in the lures of
the world
believing the lies of
the enemy
satisfied with the minimum
yet living for themselves and
whose faces
show up even
on Sunday
beware of the assumption
you are called to More

Reflection/Discussion:
-What is "The Assumption"?
-Do you think it is accurate? Why/not?
-What are the signs, since no one knows the heart but God?
-How can we help bring about revival in the Church?
-What about your life? Where do you stand?
-What is your calling?

The Promised

in the beginning

hovering over waters
out of chaos forming

elements into precision 

life into being

I was sent for
Creation's Splendor
then in time

Promised for
dreaming dreams  

seeing visions

speaking Divine Words by

Daughters and Sons

an outpouring for all
who Passionately seek to

drink deeply of 

Glory's Might   

yet for a while to
prepare the way

I was sent to a chosen few
charged with 

uttering the Prophetic 

“come back” to
My wayward people of
seesawing faithfulness 

again Promised until
at the appointed time

I hovered over the Anointed One

revealed as the Son

in a Baptism for an
eternal purpose and to 

speak Truths with a

Power beyond human reckoning

revealing a Knowledge of the Divine
proved by Signs and Wonders

until at last after 

Passion's payment
death’s conquest by
Resurrection's Revelation

and the waiting was ended by 

hovering Tongues of Fire
and a Gale Force

releasing fear’s bondage as
barriers were transcended

Holy Names of Glory
proclaimed in languages for all

freedom’s bestowal brought

the Promise to fruition

as much as each could receive 

freely offered with

miraculous Gifts of

Power to Heal
Deliver from bondage
Know the unknown
speak Prophetic Words
Worship in
angelic Tongues
live a persevering call

for combat above and
victory below
Strength through weakness

dying to self for
an Intimacy Divine to
Proclaim a Risen Savior

and Lord of All
New Life for all who respond
which remains

today's challenge for a
world enslaved to sin
but...Remember this...

a Gift left unclaimed
withers on the vine...

neglect and choice
leave Me untapped...

meager expectations only
restrain unlimited Power

so asking in faith is a
prerequisite for Grace to
release the answer

when knocking and

seeking to find  a
Power born of
Mystical Breath

yet after all is
said and done
be aware of this...
in your re-creation 

after years of tasting sweetness 

even as My Fire ignites your soul

touching you in depths unfathomed

with Gifts undeserved 

in Wondrous Signs

stirring Life to new heights
with Love-drenched

tears overflowing in
Intimate tenderness
taking you from
Glory to Glory into
Realms of Holiness

Beyond Imaginations...

still...
there

is

MORE...

Reflection/Discussion:

-How would you summarize "The Promised"?
-What does "a Gift unclaimed withers on the vine" mean?
-What are your expectations regarding the Holy Spirit?
-What do you believe about the Gifts of the Spirit?
-Are you seeking more of the Spirit? Why/not? 
-Practically, what can I do to "earnestly desire the spiritual gifts"?

-What is the "Baptism of the Holy Spirit"?