tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28939660181585056582024-03-05T20:39:37.929-08:00Catholic Poet<b>Each heartbeat is a song, sung to God</b>J. Steffenberryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12986166969481544471noreply@blogger.comBlogger112125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2893966018158505658.post-67634721283149810402012-05-09T16:54:00.000-07:002012-05-09T16:54:53.151-07:00Before All Things<br />
<br />
Before time<br />
before space<br />
when Love loved<br />
in pure joy<br />
Love loved you.<br />
Love loved me.<br />
<br />
Within time<br />
within space<br />
when Love loved<br />
He joined us<br />
to learn love<br />
and pure joy.<br />
<br />
Beyond time<br />
beyond space<br />
when Love loves<br />
He calls us<br />
to a feast<br />
eternal.<br />J. Steffenberryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12986166969481544471noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2893966018158505658.post-51267702252583820812012-05-06T12:12:00.001-07:002012-05-06T12:44:41.142-07:00Perpetual lightThe shadow falls <br />
down the mountainside <br />
blotting out the light. <br />
<br />
A passing cloud <br />
darkens the world. <br />
Above it, all is bright. <br />
<br />
Amid shadow we dwell <br />
beneath the shelter of your wing, <br />
guided by your voice. <br />
<br />
Darkness and light <br />
shifting around us, <br />
we make our choice. <br />
<br />
Until death comes, <br />
O great darkness, <br />
enfolding us in night. <br />
<br />
Night made into day, <br />
His glorious resurrection,<br />
everlasting light.J. Steffenberryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12986166969481544471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2893966018158505658.post-9623302519621759472012-04-23T11:58:00.001-07:002012-05-06T12:51:52.160-07:00In Memoriam 1Journeys are deceiving things. <br />
The road goes on and on. <br />
You think it will never end. <br />
And suddenly it does. <br />
<br />
Jesus knew your struggle. <br />
He went before you, <br />
dragging a deadweight of wood<br />
while the road climbed <br />
beneath a burning sun. <br />
<br />
Your cross grew heavier <br />
with every year and finally <br />
with every step. But at the end <br />
The Lord stood, waiting. <br />
<br />
<i><i>Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him.</i></i>J. Steffenberryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12986166969481544471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2893966018158505658.post-9429514190497421342012-01-26T16:33:00.000-08:002012-01-26T16:33:01.219-08:00In SilenceIn silence also there is praise.<br />
I watch the sunlight's liquid dance<br />
over our Lord's tabernacle.<br />
I've poured out my heart. Now I wait<br />
for Him to refill it. The dew<br />
falls like sweet balm on my spirit.<br />
In silence also there is praise.J. Steffenberryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12986166969481544471noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2893966018158505658.post-9810246691521653542011-06-12T20:43:00.001-07:002011-06-12T20:43:54.442-07:00Pentecost haikuFrom heaven the Spirit plunges<br />
deep into our hearts,<br />
love's infinity.J. Steffenberryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12986166969481544471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2893966018158505658.post-47776376842469899702011-06-09T15:57:00.000-07:002011-06-09T15:57:58.550-07:00Pentecost PonderingsBe.<br />
Be still.<br />
Know.<br />
Be still and know.<br />
Know.<br />
That.<br />
I AM.<br />
God.J. Steffenberryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12986166969481544471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2893966018158505658.post-87921636386760662452011-06-06T14:18:00.000-07:002011-06-12T20:44:42.893-07:00Pentecost comfortSpirit, hear my prayer and come to me.<br />
Your wings are made of light<br />
and effortless is your flight.<br />
<br />
My steps drag across the earth,<br />
heavy with the muddy years,<br />
staggering with the weight of fears.<br />
<br />
Spirit, give me your gift of fortitude,<br />
an eventide of boundless grace,<br />
the strength to finish in the race.J. Steffenberryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12986166969481544471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2893966018158505658.post-66088300552771247002011-06-02T14:58:00.000-07:002011-06-02T14:58:31.104-07:00PentecostCome, and open your heart.<br />
Throw wide the shutters.<br />
Put off the weights<br />
that drag you down.<br />
Ascend like a feather<br />
in the arms of the wind.<br />
It will blow through you,<br />
filling you with power,<br />
speaking with your voice.<br />
Listen! The wind blows<br />
wherever it wills.<br />
It will carry you<br />
by paths untrodden<br />
to where you would not go.<br />
Rejoice and be glad.J. Steffenberryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12986166969481544471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2893966018158505658.post-17846131715497938012011-05-20T11:00:00.001-07:002011-05-20T11:00:54.990-07:00Heavenly helpFor we are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses.I<br />
<br />
What if a monk named Francis<br />
asked you to stop and intercede<br />
for the poor who suffer everywhere?<br />
Would you spare for them a fervent prayer?<br />
<br />
What if a nun called Faustina<br />
asked you to join her unending plea<br />
for mercy on those about to die?<br />
Would you pray gladly and not ask why?<br />
<br />
What if Margaret Mary took your hand<br />
and bade you give your life<br />
to adoration of the Sacred Heart?<br />
Would you consider it just a start?<br />
<br />
You need not go alone to pray.<br />
There are many teachers on the way.J. Steffenberryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12986166969481544471noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2893966018158505658.post-73924975668617790762011-05-15T08:54:00.000-07:002011-05-15T08:54:10.095-07:00Shared Destiny"I shall not die,"<br />
the child believes<br />
and laughs in her delight.<br />
<br />
"I came to die,"<br />
the savior cries<br />
In anguish to the night.<br />
<br />
"I too shall die,"<br />
the child soon learns<br />
and feels the stab of fear.<br />
<br />
"I live forever,"<br />
Jesus proclaims.<br />
"Look up, for I am here."J. Steffenberryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12986166969481544471noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2893966018158505658.post-45879350697832100092011-05-06T07:31:00.000-07:002011-05-06T07:31:06.406-07:00May haikuMary's month has come,<br />
bursting with resurrection. <br />
All praise to our God.J. Steffenberryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12986166969481544471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2893966018158505658.post-1804036467994330762011-04-12T16:16:00.000-07:002011-04-12T16:16:01.344-07:00MeetingThe eyes of the angel<br />
and the woman meet.<br />
His glance is a flame,<br />
Heaven's light<br />
pierces her heart<br />
and finds no shadow.<br />
He looks into her eyes<br />
and sees an ocean<br />
of grace brimming<br />
overflowing,<br />
in tears of joy.J. Steffenberryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12986166969481544471noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2893966018158505658.post-11212056969043750272011-04-05T11:43:00.000-07:002011-04-05T11:43:38.791-07:00PerseveranceI am a candle flickering in the wind. <br />
How shall I burn with a steady light?<br />
Set me on a stand, a sure foundation.<br />
Encompass me about with protection.<br />
<br />
I am a candle flickering in the wind.<br />
How shall I burn with a steady light?<br />
Melt and mold me according to Your will.<br />
Set me to blazing with an eternal spark.<br />
<br />
I am a candle flickering in the wind.<br />
How shall I burn with a steady light?<br />
Let me feast on the unbroken stream<br />
of oil poured from your overflowing grace.J. Steffenberryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12986166969481544471noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2893966018158505658.post-44758801094492465282011-03-30T07:44:00.000-07:002011-03-30T07:44:20.122-07:00The gift of tonguesGrant to me, O Lord,<br />
the gift of tongues,<br />
that I might speak a word<br />
powerful and true.<br />
Jesus.<br />
<br />
Grant to me, O Lord,<br />
the gift of tongues<br />
that I might speak a word<br />
to bring others peace.<br />
Jesus.<br />
<br />
Grant to me, O Lord,<br />
the gift of tongues,<br />
that I might speak a word<br />
of illuminating light.<br />
Jesus.<br />
<br />
Grant to me, O Lord,<br />
The gift of tongues,<br />
That I might speak a word,<br />
ringing loud with love.<br />
Jesus.J. Steffenberryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12986166969481544471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2893966018158505658.post-74676475756038946722011-03-13T10:01:00.000-07:002011-03-13T10:01:08.678-07:00Lenten struggleOur times are filled to overflowing<br />
with the staggering weight of things.<br />
Frozen gazes locked to TVs,<br />
wrists chained to computer keypads,<br />
dragging behind chains of houses<br />
stuffed with the debris of malls,<br />
we lurch and strain to move.<br />
<br />
Tonight I dream of deserts,<br />
empty spaces where the wind can blow.<br />
The Son of God sits on a rock<br />
and looks up at the stars --<br />
emptiness upon emptiness and yet<br />
filled with the glory of God.<br />
<br />
Lord, make us empty again<br />
that we too may be filled<br />
with your shining light.J. Steffenberryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12986166969481544471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2893966018158505658.post-28905170618375656112011-03-08T15:05:00.000-08:002011-03-13T09:59:41.296-07:00Welcome, LentLent comes wrapped in purple,<br />
like twilight at the end of day,<br />
sunset before eternal dawn.<br />
<br />
Now all voices fall silent<br />
and hidden stars start to gleam<br />
in the darkening dome of heaven.J. Steffenberryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12986166969481544471noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2893966018158505658.post-4108336467552280812011-03-04T15:03:00.000-08:002011-03-13T10:00:30.891-07:00Lent HaikuSpring plants reach skyward,<br />
but humans bow low, sending<br />
their roots in search of water.J. Steffenberryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12986166969481544471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2893966018158505658.post-85976295208637322952011-03-02T10:09:00.000-08:002011-03-02T10:09:08.611-08:00I Saw a Vision OnceI saw a vision once<br />
<br />
On an ordinary day<br />
In my ordinary way<br />
I was avoiding <br />
An urge to pray.<br />
<br />
The Spirit kept tugging,<br />
kept gently bugging<br />
while I ignored<br />
the voice of the Lord.<br />
<br />
But He would not stop,<br />
He would not quit,<br />
Until I found <br />
A place to sit,<br />
To open up my heart and say,<br />
"All right, all ready, I will pray."<br />
<br />
What happened then was all His grace.<br />
He snatched me up to a heavenly place.<br />
I saw His throne, I saw His love,<br />
a thunderous river from above,<br />
pouring down on us below,<br />
an endless, ever-giving flow.<br />
<br />
The years have come, the years have gone,<br />
and yet the vision lingers on.<br />
When days are dark and nights are long,<br />
When the heart falls silent without song,<br />
I let the vision rise once more,<br />
I stand at heaven's open door.<br />
<br />
Lift up your face<br />
toward His throne.<br />
The Spirit says "Come and taste!"<br />
Listen! Go now. Make haste.J. Steffenberryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12986166969481544471noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2893966018158505658.post-65489070001739799762011-02-27T10:12:00.000-08:002011-02-27T10:12:11.929-08:00Resurrection DayLeaving death behind,<br />
he walks in the garden.<br />
Dew glitters at his feet<br />
baptizing the world<br />
with new life.<br />
The curse is broken.<br />
The birds sing <br />
full-throated with joy.<br />
Only the woman weeps,<br />
seeing him through tears.<br />
Wipe your tears,<br />
Heaven's child.<br />
He is here,<br />
and with us forever.J. Steffenberryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12986166969481544471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2893966018158505658.post-49813858469678446492011-02-22T16:40:00.001-08:002011-02-22T16:40:50.469-08:00Consuming Fire"Our God is a consuming fire."<br />
<br />
In the darkness<br />
of the cold tomb<br />
a light kindles.<br />
<br />
Life explodes<br />
out of death<br />
In bright glory.<br />
<br />
This consuming fire<br />
burns up fear,<br />
destroys despair.<br />
<br />
"He is risen,"<br />
the angels shout<br />
In ecstasy.J. Steffenberryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12986166969481544471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2893966018158505658.post-75537433740613589472011-02-19T09:54:00.001-08:002011-02-19T09:54:58.991-08:00Headed HomeSometimes the years are heavy,<br />
burdened with the weight <br />
of remembered sins.<br />
Sometimes the years are light<br />
like a summer breeze<br />
rushing by my cheek.<br />
<br />
In my weariness you strengthen me,<br />
in my exuberance you anchor me.<br />
When all things shift and change<br />
You are the calm center,<br />
the unchanging beacon<br />
lighting the pathway home.J. Steffenberryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12986166969481544471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2893966018158505658.post-47361720703174090512011-02-13T09:44:00.000-08:002011-02-13T09:44:19.942-08:00TransformationI bring you a gift, O my Lord.<br />
Take it if you will, <br />
this granite rock. <br />
I lay it on your altar,<br />
hard and cold,<br />
a shriveled lump.<br />
And now I kneel and lean to you,<br />
my mouth open to receive.<br />
Your life quickens me.<br />
Your blood revives me.<br />
Your divinity transforms.<br />
In our shared silence<br />
a heart begins to beat.J. Steffenberryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12986166969481544471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2893966018158505658.post-64401864431589311172011-02-12T07:38:00.000-08:002011-02-12T07:38:02.203-08:00Friends in high placesOn lonely nights<br />
I whisper low<br />
a chant I taught<br />
my lips to know.<br />
<br />
<i>I've got friends in high places<br />
watching my back.<br />
I've got friends with bright graces<br />
my soul may lack.</i><br />
<br />
When Satan's snares<br />
entrap my feet<br />
I shout aloud<br />
to his defeat:<br />
<br />
<i>I've got friends in high places<br />
watching my back.<br />
I've got friends with bright graces<br />
my soul may lack.</i><br />
<br />
When weakness looms<br />
To my distress<br />
I have a creed<br />
I can confess.<br />
<br />
<i>I've got friends in high places<br />
watching my back.<br />
I've got friends with bright graces<br />
my soul may lack.</i>J. Steffenberryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12986166969481544471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2893966018158505658.post-4935686830591444202011-02-08T13:07:00.001-08:002011-02-08T13:07:00.503-08:00Communion prayerThe priest says, "Learn to listen<br />
with the ears of your heart."<br />
My heart is noisy, Lord,<br />
full of clamoring thoughts,<br />
yapping fears, senseless distractions.<br />
How will I ever hear<br />
the whisper of your voice?<br />
<br />
In mercy you provide<br />
a silence born of grace.<br />
Sheltered in love's embrace,<br />
I kneel and receive you.<br />
The world fades to nothing.<br />
The ears of my heart open.<br />
Speak, Lord, for I listen.J. Steffenberryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12986166969481544471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2893966018158505658.post-84951923804295318992011-02-06T08:14:00.000-08:002011-02-06T08:14:31.844-08:00The angel's visitThe angel was beauty<br />
that burned like a fire.<br />
His brightness scorched the air.<br />
He sent words of thunder<br />
rolling through her heart,<br />
a lightening bolt of truth,<br />
unbearable light.<br />
<br />
The woman was beauty<br />
that lay like a sweet balm<br />
on raw wounds torn open<br />
by the ancient rebellion.<br />
The angel marveling<br />
saw she had the strength<br />
To bear the heavenly weight.<br />
<br />
With a humble spirit she<br />
opened her heart to hear.<br />
With the courage of faith she<br />
opened her lips to speak.<br />
"Let it be done to me<br />
according to thy word."J. Steffenberryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12986166969481544471noreply@blogger.com0