When was the last time I reflected on The possibility of Eternal punishment? It's such a sick, sad, twisted affair. No, not this thing We call damnation. Not even the fate of sheep and goats. It's this place we call life That really bothers me. The pit we call human relationships. A real cesspool of humiliation and degradation. All the while These two realities Stare us straight in the face: The world of now and the world to come. Rarely a motivator Infrequently a rejuvenator

With eyes closed, Hands clasped, and On bended knee It rushes over me... The pain of others Reaching out For love and Forgiveness. How am I able To make them stable In faith and in hope? When it occurs to me... I have nothing to offer, Except, perhaps Love and love and love for you My prayer, too? They need more! Than my meager words And simple actions. For I am nothing. Without your mercy Without your love Without you as a gift Nothing will release them from the rift... That

Inhumanity reigns Everyone, each and all Climbing and scraping Shouting and reacting! These words are tried, And they're never enough. Those actions, too Recycled through and through. Desire simplicity, A most intimate space. Speaking candidly To a higher face. Not as a slave and In absence of fear. Without shame and Devoid of guilt. Filled with innocence And complete with trust. It is always a surprise, Just how familiar it is. This is prayer, A conversation with God, A cont

Ways shallow that Weigh down. Panes clouded that Pain all around. Minds confused and Mines that are fused. Traps that are lain and Slaps that remain. Evil sows and Chaos ensues. Humans pursue and Death reaps... The not too few. What is one to do? Eyes closed and Mind still. Breaths deep and Heart open. Acquire the Spirit Who is and Who was And ever shall be the Heavenly King. Comforter Spirit of Truth Breath of God, and Giver of Life. Holy Spirit stained-glass window (Cathedr

Do not despise our feeble petitions In times of trouble. Rescue us from the curses that convulse The wretched lips of our enemies. Born into a world of sin, We struggle to maintain faith within. Teach us to partake of the Mysteries, Giving our all to God. Joachim and Anna Brought you into the Temple They presented you to the Lord, Who entered your womb. Brought up in piety Protected from vanity, You became the Mother of God And Mother to all. Within thy love and compassion, W

The sun is setting in your eyes I can see it on your face. Your head is bowed And your back low. The brightness of your Illumination Is lost in the darkness of your Consternation. Were you not there When the waters of life poured From your head To your soul? Do you not remember When the eternal light Scorched your past And lit a path? Feet of clay are expected Not of heart Not of spirit Not from you. Arise My spiritual child Arise!

How can this be? Pouring Your love into my heart? Filling my mind with Your knowledge? How can You want me before you in prayer? Such a wretched soul Crying for my sin. Rending my garments In a wilderness of my own making. Hiding and Avoiding. Repenting and Hoping? There I am. Helplessly Loving you with all my heart Desiring to fulfill Your will. Daring to be close to You now Imagining life with You for all eternity. Seeking Your face Warming by Your light. "What is this spin

You are the Alpha and the Omega. I trust you are behind me I trust you are ahead of me. It's this middle thing We call life That I don't trust so much - At least half of it anyway. To my right I see the angels and the saints Interceding and protecting Praying and encouraging. To my left I see the demons and the detractors Interrupting and attacking Sneering and antagonizing. This path makes me tired. I hurt all over. And why not? It did the same to You. The Via Dolorosa They

Society screams And people demand. I search for words And nothing is heard. But why try? There was a Word Filled with light. Given in flesh and Lived in love. But ended by blood? Complainers complain And pursuers pursue. I search for the Body And nothing is found. But an empty tomb? There was a Body Filled with light. Given a new life Ascended in love. But alone again? Demons emerge And doubters scheme. I search for help And nothing is seen. But I have to believe? There was a

Why do I take the man-made paths Twisted and turning With fits and stops along the way? Overgrown with brambles Created by a mind Built by its own importance Fleshed by a heart Stirred by the demons lurking beneath. Intercede for me all you saints! Show me, Most Holy Mother! The way back to the path Your Son spoke into existence Trod by His own feet Washed by His own blood Resurrected by His own Ascension! Illumined by the Holy Spirit! This is the path of deification Born of