Monday, December 10, 2012

SEEDS



As we live, move, walk, and experience our lives
That are but mists appearing but soon are gone,
We get seeds ordinarily, not fruits immediately.

Seeds as words, thoughts, plans, ideas, feelings;
As opportunities to meet certain needs and wants;
As doors opening for new avenues and adventures…

Seeds, of course, as plant and animal kernels or germs;
As business start-ups or employment prospects;
As occasions for exploiting chances and taking actions…

No, we do not get fruits and results right away;
Not the millions or billions and things one can buy;
Not the full grown, fruit bearing, tree or business…

If perchance we quickly get benefits and outcomes,
That would be classified amazing and miraculous,
Or simply called Grace and totally unmerited favor…

For, from Eden, by the sweat of our brow we shall eat;
The living need time to grow, bloom, and be productive;
Needing, too, rich soil, sun, water, and care to multiply…

Each seed we get – ability, body, chance, energy, blessing, –
Is a “talent” entrusted to us to “manage” in stewardship;
Not to be buried or wasted, rendered unable to bear anything…

We are to “trade” in it, requiring discernment and agility
To seize and develop good and promising openings, and
Fulfill legitimate desires by competence and capability…

We are to nourish seeds to be fruitful 30, 60, or 100 times,
For this, we need to be deep, fertile, rich, and whole soil;
Not shallow, rocky, or covered with thickets, and thorns…

To make our spirit soil abundant, fecund, fertile, prolific,
We need to amend it through our acts of sin-repentance,
And aerate it, in Jesus and Holy Spirit, by grace-acceptance …

Cultivation, too, is advised: watering, pruning, weeding;
For like a field left to fallow, a garden not given attention,
Surely gets taken over by weeds and plants that go creeping …

So must we cultivate our soul gardens of mind and heart:
Watering them daily with prayers to the Most Holy Trinity;
And, to God’s Mercy, casting every wayward tendency…

Friday, December 7, 2012

THY WILL BE DONE



Behold, I am but a spark and a handful of clay
in Your Supreme Creative Hands, O Divine Potter.
Your Will has been, is being, and will be done
on earth, in heaven, and through this bit of sod.
I accept, embrace, and obey your Will, O God.
Thank You for making it be done to me according
to Your Word: for good, for a future, and a hope…

Wednesday, December 5, 2012

ROCK OF FAITH



Set your house, visions, dreams, thoughts, emotions, and actions
Solidly upon the rock: of faith in The One God, The Holy Trinity…
Do the will of the Father in Heaven, unbegotten Source of All –
Seen and unseen - to Whom all shall return in appointed time;
Obey the Words of Jesus, only begotten Son of the Father, Who,
Though all things were made through Him, came to redeem us;
Abide by the Light of the Holy Spirit, One with the Father and
The Son, Spirit of power, truth, wisdom, counsel, joy and peace.
By steadfastness in this faith, adversity shall not come near you,
And you shall live thankful for all the gifts bestowed upon you,
By One whose mercies are numberless, whose goodness, infinite…

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

Psalms 23 Restated



O Lord, God of Power and Might, You are my leader and provider.
Thank you for all your blessings that, always, I have all I need.  
Constantly restoring my soul with abundance and calmness,
You guide me along your ways of love, justice, and righteousness.

O Father: though I pass places where darkness is the only light, I rely on You.
I am confident in facing every evil, for You, Abba, One-Source-of-all, are with me:
The grace of Jesus and the power of Holy Spirit give me courage and strength.
I am At-One-Ment (AOM) with You, O Holy Trinity, One True God, into infinity.

You spread a table for me even in the wilderness of change and transience,
To show to all, especially my enemies, that I am Your friend and guest.
You pour rich oil on me to give me the strength and flexibility of a wild ox,
You fill my allotted portion and cup to excess, making my destiny secure.

Absolutely and indubitably then, my Lord and my God, goodness and mercy -
The blessings of Your covenant with Israel (those who have striven with God
Or are saved by God) – shall pursue me all the days of my life… And I shall
Dwell in Your House, my Lord, gazing upon Your Beauty, visiting Your Temple…

References: NABRE, Annotations on Psalms 23; Psalms 78:19; Job 10:21; Psalms 92:11; Psalms 16:5; Psalms 27:4...

Thursday, November 29, 2012

VENGEANCE AND JUSTICE


“MARIA SANTOS GORROSTIETA: MEXICO'S MAYOR-HEROINE FOUND BEATEN TO DEATH.  A mayor who became a heroine in Mexico after defiantly standing up to the country's brutal drug lords has been found beaten to death after sacrificing herself to save her young daughter.”          (The Telegraph, Thursday, November 29, 2012, http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/centralamericaandthecaribbean/mexico/9707550/Maria-Santos-Gorrostieta-Mexicos-mayor-heroine-found-beaten-to-death. html)

It is at times like this in our village earth when some neighbors commit abominable wrongs against another, that we find it most difficult to abide by St. Paul’s teaching to: "Rejoice always. Pray without ceasing. In all circumstances give thanks, for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.” (1 Thessalonians 5: 16-18)  

Our communal sense of injustice cries out to high heavens demanding that the Lord right these wrongs, right here, right now… only to realize the existence of uncountable injustices having happened (like the Maguindanao massacre), happening, and still to happen all over this global valley of tears…  

God’s Word reminds us: "Do not seek or bear a grudge against one of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD". (Leviticus 19:18) "It is mine to avenge; I will repay. In due time their foot will slip; their day of disaster is near and their doom rushes upon them". (Deuteronomy 32:35) “Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody” (Romans 12:17) Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, "VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY," says the Lord.” (Romans 12:19) “…and do not give the devil a foothold.” (Ephesians 4:27) “…in this matter, no one should wrong his brother or take advantage of him. The Lord will punish men for all such sins, as we have already told you and warned you.” (Thessalonians 4:6) “… The Lord will repay him for what he has done.” (2 Timothy 4:14) “For we know him who said, ‘It is mine to avenge; I will repay,’ and again, ‘The Lord will judge his people.’” (Hebrews 10:30).

O, Lord, God of Power, Might, Peace, Justice, and most of all, Love: we cast upon You these burdens we cannot understand; we entrust to Your Grace and Mercy the soul of our sister, Dr Maria Santos Gorrostieta, whom You have now called back to You, the One-Source-of-All; we pray for Your blessings and protection for her family; and we pray, even as we ask our Blessed Mother Mary and all the Saints to intercede, for our sister republic, Mexico, that the Father may purge it soon of the curses of drugs and crime, and bring it to the Lord’s peace and joy: and that an appropriate divine cleansing and calm be also granted to our beloved Philippines: in the mighty name of Jesus, in the unity of the Holy Spirit. Amen.