Word/Image: Feast of rich food and choice wines
On this mountain the LORD of hosts
will provide for all peoples
A feast of rich food and choice wines
juicy, rich food and pure, choice wines.
Isaiah 25: 6
Father Master of the Feast of Heaven and Earth, Jesus our Living Bread and Wine of Hope and Salvation, and Holy Spirit, Love’s Echoes of Glorious hymns, bring us to Your Holy Mountain. We are ravished. We subsist on paltry rations of food that will never satisfy or nourish us. We accept Your invitation. Do we have a choice? Keep us safe from burning in the Light of Your Love by self-banishing ourselves from Your Goodness and obstructing Your Will. We choose to be bathed in the Perfect Light of Your Sublime Radiance. We want to dance with joyous praise and abandonment at the Wedding Feast of the Lamb. Teach us how to participate in Your Divine Will and its Endless Expressions of Love. This is our inheritance. Sanctify us with Your Grace. Feed with Your Mercy and help us to grow in faith, hope, and trust in You. May our growing Life in You, now and forever, attract other souls to Your Feast. Father, thank you for Loving us. Jesus thank You for walking with us. And Beautiful Spirit thank You for lavishing us with the rich foods and choice wines of Love. “I will be fully satisfied as with the richest of foods; with singing lips my mouth will praise you.”* AMEN
Psalm 63:5
Word/Image: Fraternal
This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.
1 John 3: 16-18
Father Master of the Vineyard, Jesus the Wine of Love, and Holy Spirit, Harvester of the Fruits, send us into Your Fields to be Your willing servants. We praise and thank you for filling the cups of our hearts and spirits with Your Love. Unite us in the Living Sacrifice of Your Body and Blood. Lord, please show us how to follow Your example. Help us die to ourselves so that we can be of service to our brothers and sisters, and give Glory to You. Let us be Your blessings to one another. We believe, that You at work in us, through us, and between us, will build Your Kingdom. Consecrate our hearts, minds, souls, and bodies to Your Sacred Heart of Love and Mercy. Imbue our words, actions, intentions, and prayers with Your Truth and Goodness. Magnify our sacred imagination to see others with Your Eyes of Compassion and hear the needs of our brothers and sisters with the ears of Your Tender Heart. Father, make us One in You. Jesus, grant us Communion with You. And Beautiful Spirit, fill our empty earthen vessels with Your Radiant Love. “Praise the Lord, all you nations; extol him, all you peoples. For great is his love toward us, and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever.”* AMEN
* Psalm 117: 1-2
Word/Image: Keep my Name Holy
My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me—holy is his name.
Luke 1: 47-49
Father of Might and Wonder, Jesus Prince of Peace and King of Love, and Holy Spirit, Healing Water and Fire of Life, open the windows of our spirits to let in Your Light. Your Name Oh Lord is Holy and cannot be spoken. Grant us the grace of eager hearts full of Your Word. Sculpt our precious lives with Your Chisel of Righteousness, and help us always grow in humility. Transform our lives into an eternal, “Yes” to Your Divine Will. We want to keep Your Name Holy by serving You. Use us to further Your Kingdom of Love in how we share the gifts, and blessings You have bestowed on us, with our brothers and sisters. May we join the chorus of angels and saints singing songs of eternal praise and adoration. Father, we thank you for letting us glorify Your Goodness and Greatness. Jesus be the Shepherd of hearts, and keep us always safe from every snare and trap of sin. And Beautiful Spirit, cover us in waves of Prayers, Peace and Love. “Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice. Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always.”* AMEN
*Psalm 105: 3-4
Word/Image: “This is the way; walk in it.” (Isaiah 30:21)
“I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
John 8:12
Father of Light, Jesus our Way, and Holy Spirit creator of Paths rich in Holiness, strengthen our resolve to answer Your Call. We want to follow You. Quicken the steps of our hearts, and illuminate our minds with Your Wisdom to find our way. Show us how to move in every direction that captures and intensifies Your Light through the mirrors of our souls. Help us to drop everything that encumbers us and keeps us from walking to You. We seek Your Face of Compassion and Hands of Mercy. Grant us an increase in Grace to experience and embrace more and more of Your Love. Let Your Love pass through us, and flow between all of Your children, to give You Glory. Father, thank you for the eternal Joy of being agencies of Your Love. Jesus, shepherd us to New Life and grant us authority in Your Name to be instruments of Peace. And Beautiful Spirit, bless the fruits of our walk in Love. “I am under vows to you, my God; I will present my thank offerings to you. For you have delivered me from death and my feet from stumbling, that I may walk before God in the light of life.”* AMEN
* Psalm 56: 12-13
Word/Image: Foundry
For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work. If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward. If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved—even though only as one escaping through the flames.
1 Corinthians 3: 11-15
Father Creator Blest, Jesus King of Creation, and Holy Spirit, Fire of Love giving Meaning to all things, finish Your work of smelting our hearts and spirits into the mold of Your Image. Cast us into Your purifying Fire of Unconditional Love. Soften our iron, cold, stiff ways. Turn our weapon like dispositions into ploughshares for planting Your seeds of Peace, Hope and Joy. Lay the raw potential and gifts You have Graced us with on Your Anvil. Hammer away at us to shape us according to Your Will. We long to be humble children fit for Your Kingdom. Fashion our lives into prayers in motion that serve the needs of others and give endless Glory to Your Name. Grant us the passion to trust every twist and turn on our journeys, even those that burn us and leave us with more questions than answers. Father, Your Ways no matter how incomprehensible and difficult they may seem in the moment, lead us to a greater experience of You and Your unfathomable Love. Jesus You are with us in every firestorm of life with Your Perfect Peace. And Beautiful Spirit, we delight in Your delicious Wisdom, Poetry, Songs, and Stories that surprise us. “Create in [us] a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within [us]. Do not cast [us] from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from [us]. Restore to [us] the joy of your salvation and grant [us] a willing spirit, to sustain [us].”* AMEN
* Psalm 51: 10-12
Word/Image: Vindication
The Lord will vindicate his people
and relent concerning his servants
when he sees their strength is gone
and no one is left, slave or free
Deuteronomy 32:36
Father, King of Justice, Jesus our Judge and Ruler, and Holy Spirit, ointment of Love that seeks to soothe every open wound infected by sin, have pity on us. We are surrounded on all sides by our broken ways. We crush each other’s spirits. We oppress the freedom and dignity of our brothers and sisters. We seek to dominate others to assert our worth. We cannot find any shelter from the rising tides of our wicked ways. Forgive us for unknowingly goading each other into habits of spiritual violence and division. Our efforts are in vain. Please grant us a path to holiness paved with Your tender Graces. Come quickly and fill us with Your Strength and Purpose. If You dwell within us, we know, nothing will disturb Your Peace in us. Your swift Hand of Compassion, Mercy and Fiery Love is our vindication. Father thank you for hearing our prayer. Jesus we place our trust in You. And Beautiful Spirit move our human history into an age of Peace when all things will be rightly Ordered by the Power of Your Wisdom and Love. “Vindicate me, Lord, for I have led a blameless life; I have trusted in the Lord and have not faltered.”* AMEN
* Psalm 26:1
Word/Image: Cry Out
A voice says, “Cry out!”
I answer, “What shall I cry out?“
All flesh is grass,
and all their glory like the flower of the field.
The grass withers, the flower wilts,
when the breath of the LORD blows upon it.
So then, the people is the grass.
Though the grass withers and the flower wilts,
the word of our God stands forever.”
Isaiah 40: 6-8
Father of Silence, Jesus our Great Alleluia, and Holy Spirit, Breath of every Song of Love, open the ears of our hearts and spirits to encounter the sights, sounds, and sensations of Your incarnation. Open the gates of salvation history. Help us discover in deeper and deeper ways the wonders of Your Grace working throughout all of time. You sit outside of time always ready to receive us. Lord grant us entrance into Your Sanctuary of the Eternal Now. Hear our cry. Without Your Mercy and Love we are sure to wither, fade, and perish. We lift up our voices to you, and enjoin ourselves to the prayers of every soul hungering for Your Peace and Justice. Renew the Earth and set every captive free. Bless us in the Power, Might, and Glory of Your Word. Father, call us by name and we will answer You. Jesus, place Your Words in the mouths of our hearts and spirits. And Beautiful Spirit, carry our cry, and the cries of all our brothers and sisters to Heaven. “Hear my prayer, Lord; let my cry for help come to you. Do not hide your face from me when I am in distress. Turn your ear to me; when I call, answer me quickly.”* AMEN
*Psalm 102: 1-2
Word/Image: Handmaid of the Lord
Then Mary said, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.
Luke 1:38
Father of the Word, Jesus our Mustard Seed of salvation, and Holy Spirit impregnating Life with endless Love, receive us as your expectant brides. We beg for Your Mercy and Grace to participate in our Blessed Mother’s great, “Yes.” Let all things be done, and all things unfold according to Your will. Banish pride from our hearts and adorn our spirits with humility. Still our racing minds with all of their plans and schemes. Help us take all things coming from You to heart. Bring us into Your Sacred Silence. Teach us how to hearken to Your voice. Free us from selfish impulses and grant us a disposition of service. May the needs and concerns of others You place along our paths, become opportunities to give Glory to Your Name. Father, we await the surprises You have in store for us with vigilant prayers. Jesus, we thank you for entrusting us with the riches of each other’s souls and talents. And Beautiful Spirit anoint us with the Authority to accomplish great acts of Love. “I will make Your name to be remembered in all generations; therefore the people shall praise You forever and ever.”* AMEN
Psalm 45:17
Word/Image: Flagrant
When Herod realized that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was furious, and he gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had learned from the Magi. Then what was said through the prophet Jeremiah was fulfilled:
“A voice is heard in Ramah,
weeping and great mourning,
Rachel weeping for her children
and refusing to be comforted,
because they are no more.”
Mathew 2: 16-18
Father Giver of Life, Jesus Fount of Living Water sourced from Your Pierced, Sacred Heart, and Holy Spirit the storm of Love in the face of every death and sin, hear the cries of Your children. Senseless sorrow thrusts its ugly face upon us before the Glorias celebrating Your incarnation can be finished. Oh Lord, this dark episode foreshadowed what we were to become. How did the evil of Herod grow in heinous proportions? Our sins against life are flagrant, prideful, willful blasphemies against Your Divine Law. We beg You to change the hearts of those hell bent on abusing their power to deny the life of Your precious innocent souls. Hear our prayers. Have mercy on us. Gather Your believers into humble but mighty cenacles of prayer. Grant us the authority to lift up atoning cries for help that bring Your Healing to all ensnared in this cesspool of death. Father, forgive us for any ways we are complicit in not protecting Your Creation. Jesus, we long for the fulfillment of Your Kingdom please send us Your Blessed Mother to guide us into the Sanctuary of Your Sacred Heart. And Beautiful Spirit shower us with the Fire of Your Light. “Lord, you have seen this; do not be silent. Do not be far from me, Lord. Awake, and rise to my defense! Contend for me, my God and Lord.”* AMEN
* Psalm 35: 22-23
Word/Image: The way of the just
For the LORD watches over the way of the just,
but the way of the wicked vanishes.
Psalm 1:6
Father Maker of every path that leads to You, Jesus the Way, and Holy Spirit the fullness of Love in each Sacred Moment, shine Your Light on the map of our Journey into You. Open the coffers of our hearts, minds, spirits, and bodies to discover the sacred gifts You have bestowed on us to do Your Will. To walk in the way of the just is to do all that You want of us. Please make this the focus of our lives. Your designs and plans for us glorify Your Name through our participating and celebrating in the furthering of Your Infinite, Great, and Passionate Love. Lord, bring our lives into Communion with You and each other. Knit together all of Your children into an endless tapestry of infinite colors and patterns. Let us walk humbly with You. Grant us freedom from all wickedness and sin. Father draw us into the Goodness of Your ordering of all things. Jesus, thank You for shepherding us along prosperous paths flowering with Your Fruits. And Beautiful Spirit, help us discern with Your Wisdom and Love how we are being asked to serve. “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.”* AMEN
* Psalm 139:14
Word/Image: Wonders of His Love
Show me the wonders of your great love
you who save by your right hand
those who take refuge in you from their foes.
Psalm 17:7
Father, Curator of Wonders, Jesus, Wonder Child and God, and Holy Spirit, the formless Embodiment of God’s Glory, feed our sacred imaginations with Your Divine Stories. Drown out the flashing attractions of senseless sights and sounds with Your Awesome Waves of Love. Pull us into streams of Heavenly Glorias with Your angels and saints. How can we possibly give homage to the endless tides of Your Love? Your Goodness flows between the rocky events littering the shifty, sandy beaches of our lives. Help us catch more glimpses of Your Poetic Work blessing us. Lord, You draw all things that have ever been, and all things that ever will be, into Mighty Oceans of Your Tender Mercy and Love. Tumble us in waves of Joy and Peace that carry us away from our foes. Prepare us to experience You in the gifts You have planned for us. Father, thank you for calling us by Name. Jesus, You are the Greatest and most Perfect Gift of Love, please be the Shepherd of our hearts. And Beautiful Spirit, we delight in anticipating Your surprises in casting Light on every Wonder. Give thanks to the Lord of lords: His love endures forever. To him who alone does great wonders, His love endures forever.”* AMEN
* Psalm 136: 3-4
Word/Image: Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe
To Learn About the Feast: CLICK HERE
Holy Virgin of Guadalupe, Queen of the Angels and Mother of the Americas.
We fly to you today as your beloved children.
We ask you to intercede for us with your Son, as you did at the wedding in Cana.
Pray for us, loving Mother,
and gain for our nation and world,
and for all our families and loved ones,
the protection of your holy angels,
that we may be spared the worst of this illness.
For those already afflicted,
we ask you to obtain the grace of healing and deliverance.
Hear the cries of those who are vulnerable and fearful,
wipe away their tears and help them to trust.
In this time of trial and testing,
teach all of us in the Church to love one another and to be patient and kind.
Help us to bring the peace of Jesus to our land and to our hearts.
We come to you with confidence,
knowing that you truly are our compassionate mother,
health of the sick and cause of our joy.
Shelter us under the mantle of your protection,
keep us in the embrace of your arms,
help us always to know the love of your Son, Jesus. Amen.
Music found on Juan Diego’s Tilma: CLICK HERE
Word/Image: Staff
Even though I walk
through the darkest valley,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.
Psalm 23:4
Father of our everlasting Pastures, Jesus Shepherd of our Hearts and Prince of Light, and Holy Spirit our Advocate for Wisdom and Love, steady our walk in darkness. Lord, we are unsure of our footing. Lead us through our uncertainties, our doubts, our confusions, our perplexities, and our failures to desire Your Love and Goodness above all other things. Banish evil from our path. Protect us from being lured away from You. Guide us in examining our hearts to uncover every obstacle we place between ourselves and You. Grant us the grace of an insatiable hunger for Your Tender Mercies. Your Rod of Justice and Your Staff of Compassion will be our constant companions. We praise and thank you for never abandoning us. Father, the Faith You give us now will let us persevere until we step into the Fullness of Your Unseen Glory. Jesus, You are the Good News, of our life in Your resurrection that is our unshakeable source of Hope and Joy. And Beautiful Spirit, paint Your resplendent colors of Love to cover canvases of our lives. “Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”* AMEN
* Psalm 23:6
Word/Image: Dark Night of the Soul
My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?
Why are you so far from saving me,
so far from my cries of anguish?
My God, I cry out by day, but you do not answer,
by night, but I find no rest.
Psalm 22: 1-2
Father of Holy Silence behind the Veil, Jesus our cry of desperation and anguish, and Holy Spirit Vindicator of Love waiting in ambush, remain with us. Lord, we are afraid we will perish if Your touch leaves us for even a moment. We know we cannot fathom the steady stream of Your Healing Light and Tender Love that carries us, and sustains us. Help us become more aware of how Your Graces are lifting us up. Strengthen the muscles of our hearts to store the spiritual memories of Your Love. When we face darker moments let us recall Your Goodness. Draw us deeper into the passion, death, and resurrection of Jesus. We thank you now in this prayerful moment for granting us trials, and opportunities and allowing us to enter into an infinitesimal experience of Jesus’ suffering. May any perceived absence of Your Presence achieve Your Will for us to grow in our trust and relationship with You. Father, we beg You for an increase in Faith. Jesus, we love and adore you, for by Your cross and resurrection You have set us free. And Beautiful Spirit, surround us with Your Loving Protection when our souls are consumed with darkness. “You, Lord, reign forever; your throne endures from generation to generation. Why do you always forget us? Why do you forsake us so long? Restore us to yourself, Lord, that we may return.”* AMEN
* Lamentations 5: 19-21
Word/Image: Just One
You heavens above, rain down my righteousness;
let the clouds shower it down.
Let the earth open wide,
let salvation spring up,
let righteousness flourish with it;
I, the Lord, have created it.
Isaiah 45:8
Father who reigns over all, Jesus the gift of Salvation, and Holy Spirit, bringer of waters of Rebirth and Love, renew the face of the Earth. We submit our struggles to You. Hear our pleas for a reprieve from the principalities of this world. Soften our hearts and increase the capacity of our compassionate sacred imaginations to stand in the shoes of brothers and sisters who suffer and are subject to the hands of injustices. Help us recognize how we are complicit in empowering forces of evil that trample on the lowly. Please instill in us a desire to surrender our lives to You. Grant us the grace of faith, and every grace we need to pursue lives of holiness and righteousness. Father, share the Gift of the Just One with Your people, we are hungry for His Bread of Life. Jesus, we place our trust in You, grant us an era of Peace in which Your narrow way will be the norm. And Beautiful Spirit, inflame our hearts with a burning Love for Truth and Goodness. “Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne; love and faithfulness go before you. Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you, who walk in the light of your presence, Lord.”* AMEN
Psalm 89: 14-15
Word/Image: Take me back
“For a brief moment I abandoned you,
but with deep compassion I will bring you back.
In a surge of anger
I hid my face from you for a moment,
but with everlasting kindness
I will have compassion on you,”
says the Lord your Redeemer.
Isaiah 54: 7-8
Father of Infinite Mercy, Jesus our Compassionate Teacher, and Holy Spirit, Fountain of Possibilities and Love, awaken our spirits to Your call. Forgive us for becoming weary. Our sins and failures hang on us like unbreakable chains. Though we try to progress in our faith, we stumble and trip over ourselves. We cannot get anywhere without You. When you leave us for even a moment to grow in our awareness of Your Word working within us, we become disheartened. We are quick to think You may have abandoned since we know we are not worthy of Your Great Love and Mercy. Even if we deny You Lord, please bring us back to You. In Your everlasting Kindness grant us Communion with You. Let us be drawn to You like bees to the sweet nectar of flowers. Father, feed us with Your Goodness. Jesus, show us how to put our lives in Your Father’s Hands. And Beautiful Spirit guide us with the Light of Your Love. “Restore us, O God; make your face shine on us, that we may be saved.”* AMEN
* Psalm 80:3
Word/Image: Fullness of Peace
For he will deliver the needy who cry out,
the afflicted who have no one to help.
He will take pity on the weak and the need
and save the needy from death.
He will rescue them from oppression and violence,
for precious is their blood in his sight.
Psalm 72: 12-14
Father Creator Blest, Jesus Price of Peace, and Holy Spirit, Messenger of Life and Love form us into Your People. Where we live in brokenness, bring Your Wholeness. Where we instigate strife, quiet our tensions with respect for others and obedience for Your Laws. Where we are quick to oppress, show us how to free others by prayerfully placing you at the center of all our affairs. Give us a distaste for Power, and fill our hearts with humility. Grant us a hunger to serve You and our brothers and sisters. Strip us of attitudes riddled with entitlement. May Your Love and Grace fill us with an abundance of Goodness that gives constant Glory to Your Great Name. We want to find our satisfaction in You. We know there is no end to the Joy and mysteries of Your Ways. Allow us to participate in being Your agencies of Peace that connect heaven to earth through the enactment of Your Will in all that we think, say, intend, and do. Father, guide us Home into Your welcoming arms. Jesus, reign in our hearts so that Your Peace might radiate in every direction. And Beautiful Spirit, bring us Your Fire of Love and draw us into Communion. “You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.”* AMEN
Psalm 16:11
Word/Image: Rod of Jesse
In that day the Root of Jesse will stand as a banner for the peoples; the nations will rally to him, and his resting place will be glorious.
Isaiah 11:10
Father Weaver of our Salvation Story, Jesus Son of David have pity on us, and Holy Spirit, Light of Love and Truth, germinate the seeds of our faith. Reveal the Wisdom of Your Will working throughout the generations. Graft us into the branches of Jesse’s Tree. Not even a petrified dead stump can halt Your Mighty Hand oh God from bringing forth Life. The eyes of our hearts are filled with Your Wonder. A fragile shoot springs forth to bring us the Promise of everlasting Life in You and with You. Lord, Your Roots are deep and impenetrable; withstanding the test of time and the sins of all our generations. We gaze with adoration and hope as Your Living Waters fill the wells of our drought stricken cisterns. Your branch is transformed into the Cross uniting heaven and earth. We desire the fruits of this branch and beg for the grace to follow Jesus to defy death and sin through His Precious Blood. Father, let all the nations Praise You. Jesus, meek and humble we want to follow You. And Beautiful Spirit, grant us Wisdom and Understanding. “He will strike the earth with the rod of his mouth; with the breath of his lips he will slay the wicked. Righteousness will be his belt and faithfulness the sash around his waist.”* AMEN
Psalm 11: 4-5
Word/Image: Sweet Music
He put a new song in my mouth,
a hymn of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear the Lord
and put their trust in him.
Psalm 40:3
Father Maker of Heavenly Music, Jesus the Sweet Melody of our souls, and Holy Spirit the harmony of Love infusing Life, caress the ears of our hearts with Peace. Lord, we are in awe of Your Beauty. And in our present state and form we know we haven’t experienced anything yet. A note of Your Song is like a raindrop encasing an infinite package of colors that splash on earth’s canvas painting a lovely picture. Draw us into Your Concert Halls of prayer. Help us attend to the delicious sounds and sights of Your hand massaging our hearts and spirits. Beckon us to follow the verses of Your lyrics that teach us, and delight us. Blend our voices with all of the angelic and earthly chorus of voices praising You. In Your Presence we are kissed by the moment and carried away by its tender, electrifying Goodness. Father, orchestrate our lives according to Your Will. Jesus, thank you for sharing Your Word, Your Body, and Precious Blood with us. And Beautiful Spirit, transform us into Living Hymns that give Glory to God. “I will sing of your love and justice; to you, Lord, I will sing praise.”* AMEN
Psalm 101:1
Word/Image: Anticipation
But as for me, I will watch expectantly for the Lord;
I will wait for the God of my salvation.
My God will hear me.
Micah 7:7
Father of Eternal Patience, Jesus God’s Perfect Gift of Love, and Holy Spirit Breath of Life, ready the way that we may abide with You. Thank you for inviting us into this season of Your Word that anticipates and celebrates Your incarnation. Allow our sacred imaginations to mine for new storied gems that anoint us with hope and wonder. Temper our eagerness for Your coming with an appreciation of Your Timeless Presence. We embrace the Holy Mystery of Your Unseen Hands of Love touching every facet and dimension of our lives. Through the grace of faith You give us, help us to seek Your Face. Let our prayers penetrate the Veil that separates us from You. Hear our cries and unspoken pleas for Your Guidance. Teach us how to find the veins of Your Love surging with an abundance of blessings to navigate the diversity of people and situations we encounter. Father, grant us consolations during our waiting with sweet intimations of our heavenly inheritance. Jesus we love and adore You. And Beautiful Spirit, renew us with fiery Trust and Gentle Peace. Therefore, return to your God, observe kindness and justice, and wait for your God continually.”* AMEN
* Hosea 12:6
Word/Image: Vulnerable
For he was crucified in weakness, but lives by the power of God. For we also are weak in him, but in dealing with you we will live with him by the power of God.
2 Corinthians 13:4
Father of All Majesty and Power, Jesus, Son of God – lowly Babe – Lamb of God, and Holy Spirit, the Communion of Life Consummated in the Divine Word and Law of Love, bring us to our knees in everlasting adoration. Lord, we stand in awe as we try to contemplate Your Life of Perfect Humility. You descended into our world of chaos giving up all Your Glory. We meet You as a vulnerable Baby. Blessed is Mary among all women whom You anointed as Your humble maiden to minister to You in all of our human fragility. What is this mystery Lord? You make Yourself completely dependent on others. Then despite our unworthiness, You entrust us with Your Gospel. You ask us to be the agencies of Your Grace and Power in building the Kingdom of God. Even in Your Trinitarian Glory You descend to be with us at every celebration of the Holy Mass. You invite us to receive the Food of Heaven that saves us and then you ask us to go forth as Your temples of Light and Love. Father, sanctify our participation in this Truth. Jesus grant us every grace we need to follow You and trust you without question or hesitation. And Beautiful Spirit, lavish us with the Freeing Power of Love. “Teach me your way, Lord, that I may rely on your faithfulness; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name. I will praise you, Lord my God, with all my heart; I will glorify your name forever.”*
*Psalm 86:11-12
Word/Image: Exult
The Lord your God is with you,
the Mighty Warrior who saves.
He will take great delight in you;
in his love he will no longer rebuke you,
but will exult over you with singing.
Zephaniah 3:17
Father of Joy, Jesus our Emmanuel, and Holy Spirit our advocate of Love and Wisdom, magnify the Glory of Your Life in our souls. Let’s lift up our voices in praise of our God. Out of nothingness arises the Fullness of His Perfect, Unconditional Love that emblazes the temples of our hearts. May we be like boisterous children unabashed in our zeal; playing in the folds of our Lord’s tunic of ever gifting stories. Fashion us into instruments of Your Will that delight You with expressions of love and peace. We stand firm in our desire to seek You, know You, and Love You with all of our heart, mind, souls, and strength. You cover us with Your mercy. We will seek Your counsel in all matters. Teach us how to center our lives in Your Compassion and Wisdom. Father we exult You – thank You for finding favor in us. Jesus may every beat of our hearts be one with You – thank you for saving us. And Beautiful Spirit unite the Human Family in the Blood of Christ – thank You for the Breath of Life. “My lips will shout for joy when I sing praise to you – I whom you have delivered.”* AMEN
* Psalm 71:23
Word/Image: Fuller’s Lye
But who will endure the day of his coming?
And who can stand when he appears?
For he is like the refiner’s fire,
or like the fuller’s lye.
Malachi 3:3
Father, Master of the House of Prayers, Jesus, our High Priest who presents our prayers, and Holy Spirit, Advocate for our intentions, open the coffers of our hearts to receive Your Answers. We await Your coming with anxious ecstasy. We do not dare think ourselves worthy of Your Gift but we know that when You say the Word, we are healed. The Brilliance of Your Gracious Light penetrates the dense darkness of our world. Our soiled spirits are drenched in damp, lukewarm pools of repentant waters. Scrub us against the boards of Your Humble Truth, and Compassionate Mercy. May the irresistible bleaching agency of Your Fuller’s Lye cleanse us with Your Enduring Love. Let no stain or careless thought, word, action, inaction, or intention, past, present, or future resist Your Purifying Love. Grant us a place in Your Kingdom where we can stand with the elect. Through our Communion with You, may the gifts You have granted us give Glory to You forever. Father, thank you for withholding nothing from us including Your very Self. Jesus, we entrust every part of our life to You let us serve You and all our brothers and sisters. And Beautiful Spirit, help us to grow in Wisdom and Love. “Therefore, since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.”* AMEN
* 2 Corinthians 7:1
From Opera written by Maestro Theodore Gargiulo, libretto by Terrence Gargiulo…
I Gabriel come from the Father
To bring thee tidings of peace and good will
For blessed are we that this night the father has made holy
This evening so special shines forth with God’s luminous grace
This evening so sacred flows with God’s abounding law
To the Alpha and Omega all praise and glory be
Fear not my friends by the father of our sky I’ve been sent
Tremble not, His love for you is great
Lift your head and eyes
In order you may know and understand my special message
I am Gabriel sent by the Father
The star you gaze at and reverently adore is a sign and symbol of God’s gift to you
The start’s light tells of God’s new covenant with the world
Sin and ignominy shall be washed away
The prophets of old foretold of a King to come in glory
They said he would descend
From the throne of the right hand of God
Unto thee Oh Jerusalem and the gates of Zion
His cup of blessing will be passed
So that all men may come to know the joys, of eternal salvation
Gloria In Excelsis
Recording of aria from Soledad Mission (Theodore Gargiulo piano, Terrence Gargiulo vocals:
Word/Image: the Last Hour
Children, it is the last hour;
and just as you heard that the antichrist was coming,
so now many antichrists have appeared.
Thus we know this is the last hour.
They went out from us, but they were not really of our number;
if they had been, they would have remained with us.
Their desertion shows that none of them was of our number.
But you have the anointing that comes from the Holy One,
and you all have knowledge.
I write to you not because you do not know the truthbut because you do, and because every lie is alien to the truth.
1 John 2: 18-21
Father, Speaker of the Word, Jesus the Word made Flesh, and Holy Spirit, Gift of Light and Love, singe the tassels our meager prayers and draw us closer to You. Help us take stock of this moment. The sands of sacred time are dropping like the dew of mana from heaven on our parched hungry souls. Grant us the grace to discern Truth from falsehood. Protect us from deceptions. Keep us away from enticing distractions. Guide us in our conversations, prayers, and worship with each other to invoke Your True and Eternal Spirit. Call back every wayward heart that has lost You as its sole focus and real Joy. Let all things begin and flow from Your Goodness, Peace, and Love. Let us detest everything that does not come from You. May we be agencies of Your encouragement and strength to all of our brothers and sisters. Father, thank you for our inheritance. Jesus teach us how to seize each moment to know, love and serve You more dearly. And Beautiful Spirit grant us opportunities now to feast on Heavenly Crumbs from the Bread of Life. “The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray.”* AMEN
* 1 Peter 4:7
