Mary Sullivan

In sorrow and suffering,

go straight to God with confidence,

And you will be

strengthened,

enlightened

and instructed.

(St. John of the Cross)

 

What do we do with this sorrow, this suffering come our way?

How do we handle this torment?  What will carry us through the day?

Where do we go with this sorrow, on this journey we are forced to trod?

Let’s take our sorrow to Jesus, our suffering straight to God.

 

With confidence let’s go to Jesus; He knows all about it, it’s true.

Let’s all go now to Jesus and ask Him what we should do.

Let us take our sorrow to Jesus, no more keep Him at an arm’s length.

Let us rest in the arms of Jesus.  From there we will find a new strength.

 

Let us trust in our sweet Lord Jesus.  No longer is there need to be frightened.

Let us lend our ears to Jesus. By Him we can all be enlightened.

Let us open our minds to Jesus; give Him all our attention and thought.

Let us hear the words Jesus speaks to us.  At His feet may we humbly be taught.

 

Our loved ones have strayed, far from the truth, and have strayed far from You.

Lord, be to them their teacher. Instruct them in what they should do.

Speak to their minds Lord Jesus.  Enlighten them in what is true.

Give them the strength Lord Jesus, to flee sin and to follow You.

 

Thank You Lord for Your patience, Your heart burning for souls with love.

Thank You Lord for lifting our minds, to ponder heaven above.

Thank You for enlightening us, Your humbled and wayward creatures.

Thank you, Jesus for guiding us.  Thank you for being our teacher.

“It is a lesson we all need—

to let alone the things that do not concern us.

He has other ways for others to follow Him;

all do not go by the same path.

It is for each of us to learn the path by which He requires us to follow Him,

and to follow Him in that path.” (St. Katharine Drexel)

 

Father, help us to let be, what ought not be our concern.

Guide us along the holy path, that path we ought not spurn.

The path by which, you have willed, life’s lessons we ought learn,

Show to us where we must walk.  Help us our path discern.

 

All do not walk by the same path, nor endure the same trials.

You call each to a different path; You call some for many miles.

Show to us, dear Father, that path which for us is best,

Show to us, gracious Father, that path willed by You and blessed.

 

Lead us along the holy path, though sorrow we may know.

Through mercy lead us home to You. Help us let others go

Along the path You will for them, though it be a painful one.

We trust You to show our loved ones the way back to Your Son.

The angel Gabriel, by God to Mary, had been sent.

Mary’s town was Nazareth so to Nazareth he went.

Mary was a mild woman, one of little fame.

She was betrothed to a man, and Joseph was his name.

 

In Nazareth, in this small home, this very humble place,

The angel told Mary that she was full of grace.

For Mary was a lowly woman.  It was God whom she adored.

The Lord was with Mary. And Mary with the Lord.

 

Mary, by the angel’s words, became troubled greatly.

One might suspect perhaps she even feared for her safety.

She stopped to ponder just what kind of greeting this might be.

But the angel told Mary, not to be afraid, for in reality,

 

God was very pleased with Mary, for to God, Mary had been bound.

By her humble obedience, Mary had God’s favor found.

The angel said she’d bear a Son.  This was the angel’s claim,

He would be Son of the Most High.  Jesus would be his name.

 

He would rule over Jacob’s house.  The angel helped Mary see,

He would have the throne of David, and great would He be.

The child would be Holy, the Son of God utmost

And Mary would be overshadowed by the Holy Ghost.

 

The angel then told Mary, something else quite new;

her cousin Elizabeth, in old age, was with child too.

Elizabeth once barren, was now in the sixth month,

for her who’d never borne a child, no child even once.

 

For our God can overcome all things, for God there is no obstacle.

For our good and loving God “nothing is impossible.”

Mary, to all of this, in honor of the God whom she adored

Proclaimed to the angel: “…I am the handmaid of the Lord.”

 

Dear Father up in heaven, may we say “yes” to You.

In a new way this Advent, all sin may we eschew.

May we follow Mother Mary, so humble and so pure,

May we put You first in all things, be the One Whom we adore.

 

Father, we pray for daughters.  And we pray for sons.

May they say “Yes” to You.  May it be Your race they run.

May they hear the voice of angels.  To sin become resistant.

May they seek Christ forever more and find Him as an Infant.

 

May we follow the light of Christ, in all we say and do.

May we prepare a special place, in our hearts for You.

“What do you have to fear?

Nothing.

Whom do you fear?

No one.

Why?

Because whoever has joined forces with God obtains three great privileges:

omnipotence without power,

intoxication without wine

and life without death.” (St. Francis of Assisi)

 

 

What are you fearing my child?  Of what are you afraid?

Do you know there is no reason to fear, that God will come to your aid?

Joined to the Lord, you are strong.  What joy are you looking for?

No wine on earth could ever match the intoxication of our Lord.

 

What are you fearing my child?  Are you fearing death or strife?

You joined forces with the Lord; through death you will find new life.

What are you fearing my child?  Of nothing should you now fear.

For the Lord with whom you’ve joined forces, stands beside you, is ever near.

 

What are you fearing my child?  Are you fearing for those who are lost?

Give all to God Who has given you all.  Stop not to count the cost.

Give to Him all of your sorrows, your worries and deepest grief.

Give to Him each of your torments.  And you will find sweet relief.

 

Have no fear my little one.  The Lord stands by your side,

Ready to bravely defend you.  If in Him, you simply abide.

Remain in the Lords’ mighty army.  Let it be Him alone you adore.

There is nothing and no one to fear, in the army of the Lord.