The Litany is done!

I've finished my series of 32 poems that are meditations on the Litany of the Sacred Heart.  I hope you've enjoyed them. As you may have noticed, I've created a website at Catholic Poet. (There's a permanent link to the left.) One of the reasons is so I can better organize my poems. If you go there, you'll find the Litany in order from beginning to end, which may make for a better meditative experience.

In addition, it will be easier for me to work on the poems and revise them on the website. So if you want to check on future -- hopefully improved -- versions, that's the place to go.  I tend to revise as the mood strikes me, so I can't say when ... sorry!

While I'm on the subject of the Litany, I chose it because it is one of my favorite prayers, and I hope you pray it often too. You can also find it broadcast daily on EWTN -- check it out.

Reflections on the Litany of the Sacred Heart -- 32

Heart of Jesus, delight of all the saints, have mercy on us ...

Stars tumble
tthrough His fingers.
Galaxies whirl
around His throne.
Angels crowd
closer, adorning.
Saints fall down
and cry "Holy!"
Listen to the saints...
The living are blind.
Their eyes are open.
The living are deaf.
Their ears hear.
The living are dumb.
Their mouths speak.
"Holy is the Lord!"

Reflections on the Litany of the Sacred Heart -- 31

Heart of Jesus, our light and resurrection, have mercy on us ...

First the dead in Christ shall rise --
this is the promise spoken --
up out of graves, from ashes,
up from the depths of the sea,
rising from the ground's grip,
rising from the watery embrace,
up into the endless sky,
above the clouds where light
blazes from the One who waits.

Reflections on the Litany of the Sacred Heart - 30

Heart of Jesus, hope of those who die in you ... have mercy on us!

What do we hope for
when death slides over us
like cold, clear water?

What do we turn to
when the closing door leaves us
within a dark, silent room?

Who do we call on?
On one named savior,
deliverer, emmanuel.

Reflections on the Litany of the Sacred Heart - 29

Heart of Jesus, salvation of those who hope in you ... have mercy on us.

Hope
the sudden spark that flares
just as you think all light has died.

Hope
the rush of fresh air
into lungs that struggle to breathe.

Hope
the upwelling of water
in the parched desert sand.

Hope
the blare of a trumpet
and an angel's cry: Maranatha!

Reflections on the Litany of the Sacred Heart -- 28

Heart of Jesus, victim of our sins, have mercy on us ...

These days we count the cost of sin
and look around with scornful eye,
quite forgetting to look within
we shout our creed: Did anyone die?

Jesus hung upon his cross
and made his heart a sacrifice
for He knew that we were lost
and redeemed us with His life.

Oh, I who sin and make excuse
yet live to sin another day
must turn to Him and self accuse,
must kneel before his cross and pray.

Reflections on the Litany of the Sacred Heart - 27

Heart of Jesus, our peace and reconcilation, have mercy on us ...

This wicked war that drags
on  through  the centuries
blinds us. Like the shell-shocked
we come to accept hell
exploding around us.

Beaten down we stumble
around in pain, wounded,
half-starved, half-mad, half-dead,
staggering through the land
with ashes in our mouths.

But some see the Dayspring
rising in the darkness,
bringing us welcome peace,
destroying death with life.

Reflections on the Litany of the Sacred Heart - 26

Heart of Jesus, source of all consolation, have mercy on us ...

Like a wounded child flees
to his mother's arms,
I flee, my lord, unto you.

Hold me tight.
Hold me tight,
In your embrace
all things are right.

I hide in your wounds, Lord,
in perfect peace,
with perfect protection.

Hold me close.
Hold me close.
These moments with you
matter the most.

You heal me with a touch
and send me forth--
but stay at my side.

Abide with me.
Abide with me.
There is no life
outside of Thee.

Together

The mass is crowded
with saints, apostles, angels,
deity - and me.

Reflections on the Litany of the Sacred Heart - 25

Heart of Jesus, pierced with a lance, have mercy on us ...

You died, my Jesus,
and Satan - not content -
thrust his wicked lance
deep into your side.

He saw your wounds, Lord,
and called it victory.
Your blood and water flowed
to birth the church, your bride.

Through a glass darkly

The mirror stays dark.
I cannot see angel wings
beating around me.

Reflections on the Litany of the Sacred Heart - 24

Heart of Jesus made obedient unto death, have mercy on us ...

Everything human in us
wants to cry out "No!"
Time for the trumpet to sound,
the calvary to arrive,
time for the doctor to haul out
his miracle zapper
and fix those paddles right over
the hole in our Lord's heart.

Everything human in Him
obeyed the Father's will,
bid the angels to only watch,
yielded up his spirit,
and thus we are redeemed.