Now is the time to awake from our sleep.
Our salvation is nearer than when we first believed.
The day is at hand, advanced is the night.
Let us throw off dark works, don armors of light.
For the flesh, we must now make no provision.
Instead try to see with the Lord’s holy vision.
Let us throw off all lust, and all promiscuity.
Discard rivalry and jealousy, in Him find our security.
Stay awake! Keep watch! As in Noah’s days.
The Lord will return like a flood, mighty and raised.
Dear Father, awaken our loved ones sedate,
From the slumber they’re in, before it’s too late.
By the Holy Spirit, may they be filled with Your gifts,
Of joy and of peace, to mend all their rifts.
Wake loved ones from slumber, Give their souls a shake,
Call to them now Lord: “O sleeper awake!”
(Rom. 13:11-14; Matt. 24:37-44)
Where there is no love, pour love in, and you will draw love out. (St. John of the Cross)
How do we love, Lord Jesus?
Can you please show us if you may?
How do we love our loved ones,
Who have wandered so far away?
How do we love them, Lord Jesus?
What words are there left to say?
How do we love those who fled the faith?
By whom we at times feel betrayed?
How do we love, Lord Jesus?
When love’s vessel seems empty and bare.
Can you show us the way to true love?
Will you stay by our side? Lead us there?
Show us the way, Lord Jesus,
To pour love into anger and doubt.
If You show us just how to do this,
One day we may draw love out.
Show us how to pour patience in,
To endure each trial through and through.
Show us the way to trust in You.
To trust You with our loved ones too.
Show us the way to love, Jesus.
This cannot be done on our own.
Show us how to bring love to them.
In love, bring those we love home.
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 this Christmas. May all 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.
Dear Lady of Guadalupe,
We ask of you this day,
Touch with grace, our loved ones’ hearts.
They’re lost and gone astray.
As you converted millions
And brought them to your Son.
Make haste, convert our loved ones,
That Christ’s victory may be won.
A miracle is what we need,
Like that on Tepeyac Hill.
Your Son can do miracles,
Restless hearts He stills.
Stay close dear Blessed Mother,
Do not from them depart,
As flowers bloomed in winter,
Help Christ’s love bloom in their hearts.
Heal their souls Dear Mother,
Help them know God’s love.
Send graces Blessed Mother.
Send help from above.
Let God’s light shine upon them,
From His majestic throne.
Protect them Blessed Mother.
Bring each of our loved ones home.
Posted: December 19, 2023 · Leave a Comment
WE WAIT LIKE ZECHARIAH
Zechariah and Elizabeth, both righteous in God’s eyes,
Observed the commandments, were advanced in years, and wise.
Through all their days of marriage, for a child they had longed.
But Elizabeth was barren. Not one child had she borne.
Inside the sanctuary, incense had begun to burn.
Zechariah saw an angel. Something great he was to learn.
The angel said of fear, he ought to have none.
His prayer had been heard by God. His wife would bear a son.
His son would be great. So said the angel’s voice.
His son was to be named John. At his birth, many would rejoice.
Because of him, many hearts, for the Lord would yearn.
Through him many souls, to the Lord would turn.
He would drink no strong drink. Nor would he drink of wine.
All these things would be fulfilled, in their proper time.
Lord, help us honor Your commands, let us make haste to pray.
Your time may not be our time. In Your timing we trust today.
Our loved ones belong to You. In Your time they will flower,
Until then, we persevere. We pray through each passing hour.
We wait, like Zechariah. Our patience is a must.
Your time is not our time, Lord. In You, we place our trust.
Zechariah waited prayerfully for the birth of His Son.
We pray for a new birth in Christ for each of our loved ones.