Mary Sullivan

Jesus had addressed them.  A parable He told.

To teach them true humility, this story would unfold.

Two men were in the temple.  There they had gone to pray.

A Pharisee and tax collector—to God some things they’d say.

The Pharisee told the Lord how he did things so well.

The head of the Pharisee likely began to swell.

He said he wasn’t greedy.   Adultery he’d not commit.

He fasted and he tithed.  He was proud to admit.

Now off at a distance, the tax collector’s head was bowed.

With lowered head he beat his breast.  He said—perhaps out loud:

“O God to me be merciful.”  He told the Lord he was a sinner.

Through repentance he gained peace with God.  He emerged as winner.

The tax collector went back home.  He had been justified.

But to that Pharisee, justification was denied.

That man who exalts himself, finds only he has stumbled.

As time goes by, he’s sure to find by God he will be humbled.

The humble man who turns to God, of earth he’ll be its salt.

The Lord Himself will lift him up.  The Lord will him exalt.

Dear Father, keep us humble in all we say and do.

Help us clearly see our sins, that we may repent too.

Grant to us and our loved ones, grace to be sanctified.

In humility may we repent.  Thereby be justified.

How could I bear a crown of gold when the Lord bears a crown of thorns?
And bears it for me! (St. Elizabeth of Hungary)

How could we bear a crown of gold,
When our Lord bore a crown of thorns?
How could we wish for regal clothes,
When our Lord’s clothes were ripped and torn?

How can we reject the scourges of life,
When He brings us such grace and strength?
How can we not carry our cross,
And carry it for its full length?

How could we reject being crucified,
How could we embrace selfish living?
How could we not want to give all we have,
To the Lord Who is loving and giving?

How could we want only pleasant words,
Where the Lord heard mocking and scorn?
How could we wish for a crown of gold,
When our Lord’s crown was made of thorns?

Give us the crown of thorns, dear Lord,
Fix it upon our heads.
Let us be scourged with You, our Lord,
For all the blood that You shed.

Let us no longer fear the cross,
To lift it, let’s have no delay.
We offer it as a sacrifice,
For loved ones lost and astray.

We offer our cross in atonement.
Lord, use it for good today.

“What sign can You do?” was what was asked out loud.

It’s the question put to Jesus by the disbelieving crowd.

To ancestors in the desert, manna had been sent.

God sent them food from heaven.  Their hunger He’d prevent.

Jesus had an answer.  And He gave it to them.

Christ could only speak the truth.  He said: Amen, Amen.

The bread came not from Moses.  That is what He said.

The Father, up in Heaven, had given them this bread.

Dear Lord, help us to believe, ever believe in You.

May we turn to You for each need, for each deep yearning too.

May we receive You often. You are the bread of life.

You are the path to our peace, the way out of our strife.

May loved ones be freed from sin.  And turn to You instead.

May they all find You Jesus in the breaking of the bread.

Give them life abundant.  Let them know just why You came.

Help them all to seek the truth, call upon Your Holy Name.

Give them life now Jesus; thou their souls through sin seem dead.

May all find new life in You, Lord, in the breaking of the Bread.

(John 6:30 to 35)

“We know that all things work together for good, for those who love God, who are called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28)

Dear Lord, if we trust You and love You as we should.

We know that one day, loving Lord, all things will work for good.

If we love You through this darkness, through the blessings which You send,

All will one day work for good, together for good in the end.

Grant us the grace to love You, Lord.  Show us the way to pure love.

Grant us the grace to be called to Your purpose.  Grant us grace from above.

Grant this grace to loved ones, Lord, who’ve wandered so far way.

Grant us the grace to love You, Lord.  Grant us this grace today.

And raising his eyes toward his disciples he said:
“Blessed are you who are poor,
for the kingdom of God is yours.
Blessed are you who are now hungry,
for you will be satisfied.
Blessed are you who are now weeping,
for you will laugh.
Blessed are you when people hate you,
and when they exclude and insult you,
and denounce your name as evil
on account of the Son of Man.
Rejoice and leap for joy on that day!
Behold, your reward will be great in heaven.

(Luke 5:17, 20-16)

Are you feeling poor my dear child? Deprived of what your heart longs for?

Rejoice in the Lord, for the Kingdom awaits, the Kingdom of God is yours.

Do you hunger now for righteousness? In righteousness do you abide?

Rejoice in the Lord, dear little one, for you will be satisfied.

Are you weeping dear beloved? Shedding tears on others’ behalf?

Rejoice in the Lord, my dear one. For one day you will laugh.

Are you excluded and insulted? For your faith in Christ, met with hate?

Rejoice and leap for joy.  Your reward in heaven is great!

May we fight for righteousness, rejoice when met with hatred,

May our hearts be broken by all things which break Your Heart, so sacred.

Suffering here for a little while. But the path of the Lord leads to laughter,

It’s the path to a joyful eternity, a joyful ever after.

Grant to loved ones’ the grace they need to fight for righteousness and to win.

Grant them all the grace they need to repent and to weep over sin.

Grant them the grace that for the faith, they’ll endure exclusion and insult.

Grant them the grace to persevere, though hated as a result.

May the path of the Lord be the path we all walk.  May the path of the Lord be our choice.

May the path of the Lord be the only path in which we forever rejoice.

Through the path of the Lord, we encounter pain; but pain does not end the story.

The path of the Lord is the only path to our one-day heavenly glory.