Mary Sullivan

“Who except God can give you peace?  Has the world ever been able to satisfy the human heart?”  (Saint Gerard Majella)

Dear Lord, give to us Your peace, that in peace we might pray.

Give to us the peace we need, to get us through the day.

So much is going on, dear Lord.  It seems too much to take.

But we can persevere in peace, if all evil we forsake.

Only in Your will Lord, can peace be truly found.

For that is where, Your hope and joy, in love and truth abound.

We’ve looked in other places; and could not find peace there.

We’ve looked to extravagances; we have looked everywhere.

For peace within the heart simply can’t be bought.

It can’t be found in money made, as maybe we had thought.

It can’t be found in drugs or drinks.  We won’t find it in bars.

It can’t be found by buying new and fancy cars.

Peace won’t be found, when snippily, we cause controversy.

Peace is found, when we show, Divine-inspired mercy.

Peace is found, when we seek out, others we can serve.

True peace comes from You, O Lord; our service You deserve.

Peace is a blessing to us, when it’s You that we adore.

When we simply follow You, peace steps through our front door.

Then stays with us throughout the night, through all our trials too.

You told us in the scriptures “My peace I give to you.”

Loved ones have gone looking, for peace that only You can give.

They’ve looked in painful places, seeking how in peace to live.

The world has lured them far from peace, where Satan’s lies abide.

Help them embrace Your will in peace; from Your will may they not hide.

In Your mercy bring them peace dear Lord, do not from them depart,

Show them the path that leads to peace; place peace within their hearts.

Show now to each child we love, how best in peace and love to live.

In Your mercy give to them the peace, that only You can give.

 “Jesus said in reply,

‘Ten were cleansed, were they not?
Where are the other nine?
Has none but this foreigner returned to give thanks to God?’
Then he said to him, ‘Stand up and go;
your faith has saved you.’”

(Luke 17:17-19)

Ten were cleansed, were they not?

Yet You were thanked by only one,

Dear Lord, give us hearts more thankful,

Than the nine, who left on the run.

Lord Jesus, we have been so blessed,

And we have failed, it’s true,

To thank You. So often when You’ve blessed us,

We quickly ask for things anew.

Give to us contented hearts,

Hearts that see how richly we’ve been blessed.

If we but took the time for thanks,

Perhaps we’d be not so depressed.

Our loved ones have so many gifts.

The Giver they ignore.

Heal their now unthankful hearts.

May they thank You ever more.

Ten lepers begged for pity.

We beg for pity too.

We thank You in advance,

For the healing You will do.

Heal the hearts of all our loved ones.

May it be You Whom they adore.

Take from them their stony hearts.

Give them hearts thankful and pure.

“The World is Thy Ship, and not Thy Home.” (St. Therese)

This world is the ship which we travel,

To the gate of our heavenly home.

The world is a voyage of stormy seas,

Rogue waves cresting with foam.

Heaven’s the home we are made for.

In heaven, there is no fear,

In heaven there is no crying.

The Lord will wipe away all our tears.

If we are not feeling at home here,

A little like we don’t belong,

It helps to remember and know dear,

This world is our ship, not our home.

May we open our eyes to Your truth, Lord;

So much here is vain glory and show.

It’s heaven that we are made for,

And You, Lord, we are made to know.

Wherever we go and we wander,

Wherever it is that we roam,

May our hearts be yearning for heaven,

As we sail towards our heavenly home.