Heavenly help

For we are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses.I

What if a monk named Francis
asked you to stop and intercede
for the poor who suffer everywhere?
Would you spare for them a fervent prayer?

What if a nun called Faustina
asked you to join her unending plea
for mercy on those about to die?
Would you pray gladly and not ask why?

What if Margaret Mary took your hand
and bade you give your life
to adoration of the Sacred Heart?
Would you consider it just a start?

You need not go alone to pray.
There are many teachers on the way.

Communion prayer

The priest says, "Learn to listen
with the ears of your heart."
My heart is noisy, Lord,
full of clamoring thoughts,
yapping fears, senseless distractions.
How will I ever hear
the whisper of your voice?

In mercy you provide
a silence born of grace.
Sheltered in love's embrace,
I kneel and receive you.
The world fades to nothing.
The ears of my heart open.
Speak, Lord, for I listen.

Song for a New Year

The angels know --
and heaven, too--
I did not come
seeking you.
But wandering far
from you was found
and in strong cords
of love was bound.

You kissed my head,
you kissed my feet,
you sat me down
and bid me eat.
I supped on bread
and drank sweet wine,
and hunger ceased
for I was fed.

The angels know --
and heaven, too --
that all I have
has come from you.
The only thing
I have to give --
eternal thanks
each day I live.

Eucharistic adoration

- Monday, November 8, 2010 11:21 AM
In Eucharistic procession

When you are uplifted
Above your people
All eyes turn to you.

Our hands reach out to you
yearning to touch our Lord
In His sacred presence.

The priest processes by us.
For a stunning moment
I know you are passing.

I feel the wind blowing,
the spirit pouring out
your gifts to your people.

How majestic, O Lord
is your tender mercy
To those who trust in you.

From heaven you come down
to walk among your flock
bestowing your blessing.

All soul's day

Christ our light!

we come to your altar,
Each holding a candle,
Sheltering the fragile flame,
The tiny spark of light
Recalls our loss --and hope.

Christ our light!

Loving hands set them down
--bright beacons on each step--
Rest here before the Lord
While mass is said for you,
Rest here and receive grace.

Christ our light!

When we eat this bread and
Drink this wine, we proclaim ...
The wonder of His gift,
That we are joined to Him
And you are joined to Him.

Christ our light!

Shine on then, departed.
When Christ the dayspring dawns,
Your bright beauty returns
And we can once more smile
In that unending morn.

Christ our light!

At the hour of our death

Here on the thin cusp
between life and death
where the failing light
falls into darkness
a voice is praying
--soft and sweet and pure --
a mother watching,
guiding each child home.

Transformed by the Eucharist

Like a spring surges
out of dry and barren ground
grace surges from our hearts.

Waiting

They've put him in a box
- these ashes once my friend -
enclosed him in silence.
The mourners tears are shed.
Broken hearts have yielded
to our Lord's loving will.
Sorrowful, we shuffle off
to start our lives anew
despite the empty space.
Resting now he awaits
until the trumpet call
signals resurrection.

In memory of Marty

Suddenly you are gone
stolen from us by death.
In my heart emptiness.
I grope like one struck blind
but can't find you, my friend.
Only faith can touch you.
Let me fly to the Lord.
He holds you close to Him
and thus we're together.

Eternal rest grant to him, O Lord.
Let perpetual light shine upon him.

A sorrowful mystery

Did you know there are people -
consider this in sorrow -
who say the church is empty?

I hurry through open doors
and see Him in the distance,
waiting in golden splendor.
Like the doomed rush to rescue,
I rush to his resting place
and bow in adoration.
When I straighten up the air
heavy with heaven's glory
envelopes me like a cloud.

Did you know there are people -
consider this in sorrow -
who say the church is empty?

Looking around at mass

Can the blind imagine what they can't see?
Can we?

People scattered among the pews,
the priest alone at the altar,
angels veiled in radiant hues,
seraphim chanting the psalter.

Can the blind imagine what they can't see?
Can we?

Candles burning with flickering light,
Statues staring with eyes of stone,
Saints in garments of brilliant white,
apostles kneeling before a throne.

Can the blind imagine what they can't see?
Can we?

The altar holds a cup, some bread,
hands extend, the words are said.
The bread becomes our living Lord,
by seen and unseen, both, adored.

Can the blind imagine what they can't see?
Can we?

Adoration

Like thunder I explode
into the peaceful chapel.
No one looks up, the roar
reverberates inside me.
Shaking with its growl I drop
to my knees and lift my eyes.
You are there, silent and still,
waiting, patiently waiting.
My soul stills, too, your peace
settles upon me like warm rain,
thunder fades, the silence deepens,
from quiet depths prayer rises.

Before Morning Mass

Holy water cools my brow.
In the chapel candles flicker.
Old knees bend in reverence
as people enter their pews.
They quietly kneel.
Prayer is rising to heaven
without a sound.
Light falls across the altar
where the wine and bread wait.