Mary Sullivan

Jesus asked His disciples,

What did they have to say,

Of a man who had a hundred sheep,

And one went astray.

Won’t that man not go after

The stray at any cost?

Won’t he leave the ninety-nine,

To find the one that’s lost?

And if he finds the sheep that’s lost,

He rejoices more that day,

Than over the ninety-nine

That stayed and never strayed.

In the same way our Father,

When all is said and done,

Does not want to lose,

His precious little ones.

Dear Jesus, now go after

Our loved ones gone astray.

Go to where they’ve wandered,

Heal their wounds today.

Tell them of Your truths,

Let them hear what You have to say.

Dear Jesus, leave the ninety-nine,

Bring back loved ones who’ve strayed.

(Based on Matt.18:12-14)

“…Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay His head.”  (Luke 9:58)

Lord, make my heart a nest of love,

A nest of love for You.

That You may come and dwell therein,

Today and each day through.

Make my heart a nest for love.

A love where truth will shine.

Make of my heart a nest for You.

For You, may my heart pine.

Lord, make my heart a nest for You.

A place where You find rest.

Make my heart like unto thine.

Take my heart as Your nest.

Chaos in this world today.

Yet, my soul You still.

Come and rest in my heart, Lord,

As I rest in Your will.

Grant me grace to love You, Lord.

May my love for You shine,

As light for what is good and true.

Make my human heart divine.

I give You all that I have.

Make my love ever true.

May my heart be Your dwelling place,

My heart a nest for You.

Two disciples walking to Emmaus. No doubt with some vexation.

They talked of what had happened— lost they were in conversation.

Their Master had been scourged and beat.  They must have pondered why.

They’d been hoping He’d redeem them–but He’d just been crucified.

And that is when the Lord drew near.  Along with them He walked.

He went unrecognized by them—though for some time they talked.

But when He said the blessing—and when the bread was broken,

That is when their eyes could see, they knew the Lord had spoken.

The bread had to be broken for them to see the light.

And then our good Lord Jesus, vanished from their sight.

Were not our hearts burning while He spoke to us on the way?

Christ opened the Scriptures to them as they walked along that day.

Jesus, may we find You in the breaking of the bread.

May our hearts burn with love for You. May we embrace all You’ve said.

May we know the truth of You, Who came and for us died,

May we see the source of our salvation—with eyes open wide.

May we find You in the Eucharist and receive You in Communion.

May Your Presence in the Sacred Host, secure our peaceful union.

May each of our lost loved ones, come to life though they seem dead.

Walk beside them now Lord Jesus. May all see You in the breaking of the bread.

(Luke 24:13-35)

Lord, may we love each other, in the way that You love us.
May we love You as You love the Father, as in You we trust.
Each of Your commandments, may we now and always keep.
Over sins for which You grieve, may we too grieve and weep.

Lord Jesus, if in Your love, we can but remain,
We will bear fruit for You, though sometimes through much pain.
What his Master is about, a slave may have no clue.
But You teach us the truths the Father spoke to You.

And that is why Lord Jesus, upon You we so depend.
You no longer call us slaves.  You call us Your friends.
As we defend Your truths, as we lift Your truthful sword.
May we love You Master, as You love us, gracious Lord.

May the love which You have shown us, pierce our hardened hearts.
May loving others with Your love be our goal from the start.
Show us how to give that love, to loved ones gone astray.
May they receive Your love, through our steadfast love today.

Fill them with Your love, dear Lord.  Reveal Yourself as friend.
Let them know that they can trust You.  On You they can depend.
May they rest in Your strong arms.  You alone, may they adore.
May they love You Master, as You love them, gracious Lord.

(Based on John 15:9-17)