Psalm 103

Everything in Nothing

That you may have pleasure in everything, seek your own pleasure in nothing. That you may know everything, seek to know nothing. That you may possess all things, seek to possess nothing. That you may be everything, seek to be nothing.... Desire to be empty and poor for Christ's sake. This state must be embraced with a perfect heart and you must really want it. If your heart is truly engaged in these efforts you shall speedily attain to great joy and consolation. Be continually careful and earnest in imitating Christ in everything, making your life conform to His.

~ St. John of the Cross

The Transfiguration

When he took the three disciples to the mountainside to pray
His countenance was modified, his clothing was aflame
Two men appeared; Moses and Elijah came
They were at his side
The prophecy, the legislation spoke of whenever he would die

Then there came a word
Of what he should accomplish on the day
Then Peter spoke, to make of them a tabernacle place
A cloud appeared in glory as an accolade
They fell on the ground
A voice arrived, the voice of God
The face of God, covered in a cloud

What he said to them
The voice of God: the most beloved son
Consider what he says to you, consider what's to come
The prophecy was put to death
Was put to death, and so will the Son
And keep your word, disguise the vision till the time has come

Lost in the cloud, a voice: Have no fear! We draw near!
Lost in the cloud, a sign: Son of man! Turn your ear!
Lost in the cloud, a voice: Lamb of God! We draw near!
Lost in the cloud, a sign: Son of man! Son of God!

Simple Moments

So many beautiful sights
Greeted my weary eyes today.
While leaving Mass in peace
Walking along my usual way.
I was greeted by two doves
Singing sweetly cooing their songs of cheer.
Reminding to raise my voice
In worship to God not fear.
And then two sunning turtles
Brought tears to my eyes.
Reminding me to slow down
And look up to the skies.
Later it was two squirrels
Who made me laugh with glee
Reminding me to stop and play
That too is a gift given free.
God speaks to us in ways
Some simple some profound,
But always He speaks with love
And joy and peace abound.
So open your eyes today.
See the beauty He has given you.
Laugh and love and live
And to our Lord be true.

Posted with kind permission of my youtube friend and poet, Daughter of Saint Francis

http://www.youtube.com/user/DaughterofStFrancis

Job

(Job 28:28)

Yes: wisdom begins with fear of the Lord,
which comprehends the power that made the seas,
the earth, the shimmering dawn, the unexplored
unfathomed skies, the moon, and the Pleiades.
Which also know Who comes to judge our shoddy
little failing lives, knowing full well,
we need not fear the one who kills the body,
but only He who condemns the soul to hell.
Which also knows it magnifies the Lord,
defying the demon, being the only release,
oddly enough, from fear, being its own reward,
which is also wise, is faith, is hope, is peace,
is tender mercy, over and over again,
until, at last, is love, is love. Amen.

~ William Baer

artwork-- 'Job in Prayer', Marc Chagall

Prayer

Master, they say when I seem

To be in speech with You,

Since you make no replies, it's all a dream

--One talker aping two.

They are half-right, but not as they

Imagine; rather, I

Seek in myself the things I meant to say,

and lo! the wells are dry.

Then, seeing me empty, you forsake

The Listener's role, and through

My dead lips breathe and into utterance wake

The thoughts I never knew.

And thus You neither need reply

Nor can; thus, while we seem

Two talking, Thou art One forever, and I

No dreamer, but thy dream.

~ C S Lewis

Peace ~

MY soul, there is a country

Far beyond the stars,
Where stands a winged sentry
All skilful in the wars:
There, above noise and danger,
Sweet Peace sits crown'd with smiles,
And One born in a manger
Commands the beauteous files.
He is thy gracious Friend,
And—O my soul, awake!—
Did in pure love descend
To die here for thy sake.
If thou canst get but thither,
There grows the flower of Peace,
The Rose that cannot wither,
Thy fortress, and thy ease.
Leave then thy foolish ranges;
For none can thee secure
But One who never changes—
Thy God, thy life, thy cure.

~Henry Vaughan