Mary Sullivan

“For this momentary light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to what is seen but to what is unseen; for what is seen is transitory, but what is unseen is eternal.”  (2 Cor. 4:17-18)

Dear Father in heaven, stay beside us from the start.
Help us to ever persevere, and never to lose heart.
Our outer self is fading.  It is wasting away.
But our inner self is renewed with each passing day.

This affliction seems so heavy.  But in truth it is light.
In a moment it will pass from us—and be gone from our sight.
Affliction has a purpose.  For us it does prepare
An eternal weight of glory, beyond any compare.

May we see more than what is seen by human eyes.
For what we see with human eyes will soon find its demise.
Let us look to what is unseen.  For angelic sight, let’s yearn.
The eternal unseen things, may we no longer spurn.

Fill us, Father, with Your truth.  For truth, let us strive.
Fill our souls with faith.  Let Your will direct our lives.
Fill our hearts with love of You.  Help us now to cope.
Help our minds to trust in You.   In You, we place our hope.

Jesus made His disciples get in a boat to ride,

To go to Bethsaida, sail to the other side.

He went up a mountain in the light of day.

He climbed up that mountain.  There He went to pray.

By night, the boat had traveled quite far out to sea.

Jesus alone, back on shore, was calm as He could be.

The disciples’ boat tossed about.   Against strong wind they rowed,

They’d probably much rather been, in some safe, secure abode.

It was the fourth watch of the night, which means three in the morning.

When a miracle would happen.  It happened without warning.

Someone walking on the water; they thought it was a ghost,

They knew not they were looking at the blessed Lord of Hosts.

Then spoke the Lord: “Take courage. It is I. Do not be afraid.”

The disciples were astounded; most likely quite amazed.

He got into the boat with them.  The wind then died down too.

There’s nothing that our good Lord Jesus cannot for us do.

We can feel like inept boaters, rowing on a stormy sea.

The boat is wildly rocking.  So tossed about are we.

We struggle to persevere, against strong winds, to row.

How we will get through all of this—at times we do not know.

Lord Jesus, walk now to us on our stormy seas.

Calm the fears within.  Help us, in You believe.

Climb into our boats.  Help us be not afraid.

Never leave us, Jesus.  Bring us comfort.  With us stay.

Our loved ones too are on rough seas.  It’s quite a wild ride.

Deceiving waves crash over them.  Lies strike from every side.

Go to them, dear Lord Jesus.  May it be Your love they know.

Calm the stormy seas.  The truth on them bestow.

Help each loved one love the truth.  Help each one flee from sin.

Help them begin to row with faith.  Give to them strength within.

Be with us sweet Lord Jesus, wherever we may go.

Keep us united in the truth.  Towards heaven, help us row.

(Based on Mark 6:45-52)

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.