Icons tell more than a story. They explain the faith As brought to us by God Who came in the flesh Himself. They illustrate the love of God Through the lives of those who lived And breathed to their last breath The Holy Spirit among us. Icons point us to our own inner journey And guide us on our exterior one. They open us to God who walked in our shoes And remind us that God has never left our side. We are clear on what icons are And what they are not. We do not worship them.

I pretend and pretend and pretend To want what others want. But the truth is I don't. I don't care about status or trends I don't care about politics or position. I don't care about nations or businesses. They're all just part of the labyrinthine flight from God. All I want is a simple Liturgy And Eucharist And prayer And thinking about prayer And reading about prayer And writing about prayer And talking about prayer And looking at art that expresses prayer And listening to m

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

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

With the rising of the sun, You stretch my soul and breathe into my lungs. In the still heat of the noonday, You close my eyes and illumine my soul. In the silence of the late afternoon, You steady my feet and shake the sand from my shoes. With the lengthening shadows of the setting sun, You hold me in your arms and remind me of my last breath. My God and My God and My God, Why do you remain with me As sinful as I am? My God and My God and My God, Why do you save me from myse

I try to understand How it is That You are So near to me? I want to know why? I want to know how? But why do I want to know? Is it so that I can understand it? Is it so I can explain it to others? You fill me. You surround me. You are above me. You raise me up. You keep me grounded. You use my hands to bless. ...to anoint. ...to absolve. ...to commune. ...to immerse. You use my mouth to taste Your sacrifice. ...my eyes to see Your presence. ...my ears to hear Your heavenly ho

When in the morning A light breeze awakens my mind, I remember You walked the earth. When in the afternoon A hot gust shutters my senses, I remember You suffered on the cross. When in the evening A cool wind enlivens my heart, I remember You resurrected on the third day. When in the night A silence settles over the cosmos, I remember You ascended into Heaven. All this? For me? For us? And there's more? Unworthy as I am, I ecstatically await With bated breath For the coming of

When I gaze upon the still waters, I feel the breeze of your loving insistence. When I gaze upon the still waters, I hear the calm from your enveloping silence. When I gaze upon the still waters, I smell the incense of your everlasting persistence. When I gaze up on the still waters, I taste the love in your embracing sustenance. When I gaze upon the still waters, I see the light of your glistening countenance. How can this be, Through such a life? The Most Holy Trinity, One