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Be Filled with the Holy Spirit.
Find a peaceful start to your day with spiritual self care and divine inspiration.
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Morning Reflections
Third Sunday of Lent | March 12, 2023
This gospel reflection is based on John 4:5-42.
The Well
by Deacon Andy Cirmo
I saw him sitting by Jacob’s well
Quietly in the sweltering heat
In the hot, dry dustiness of midday
Calmly present, waiting for someone
As I sneak in the shadows and stay
I’m frightened but must get water
This is the only time of day I can
For of me they cannot see
I am a sinner and could be stoned
In hope I pray that he won’t reveal me
In this burning heat he looks peaceful
With a gentle coolness of smile and voice
This could be a trap to catch me
Asking me now to take my cup…I think not
Yet In his eyes a cool calmness I see
He wants a drink? Of all people, from me?
Clearly he is dressed like a Jew
And should not be near my life of sin
Yet he asks again and speaks strangely
He somehow thinks I should know him
Now he speaks of a living water he will give
He has no bucket nor cup yet I am cooled
Telling me I will never again thirst
Oh I must drink of this living water
And he nods and smiles at first
In his eyes I see my heart
He must be the prophet of which all speak
And now foretells of our worship
Neither on the mountain nor Temple
But in Spirit and in Truth
I speak of the Messiah and he nods
Is he the One, who is to come?
To a Samaritan town, alone he goes!
And yet he himself says it is so
I believe because my soul he knows
I feel a weight lifted from my heart
As he sees my heart and speaks
His eyes and voice tell me to sin no more
To believe and be forgiven much
I must tell all of him, our Messiah, my Lord
He stays with us now, this Son of David
This holy prophet of God with us
And we believe in him and hear his call
Our hearts are healed and cry in joy
That he has come to us, to all
Dear Jesus, give me your living water
That I may be forgiven and refreshed
For you know my heart as I pray
That I may bring the wellspring of life
Your peace and your love
To all I meet every day -
Second Sunday of Lent | March 5, 2023
This gospel reflection is based on Matthew 17:1-9.
Wholly Changed
by Deacon Andy Cirmo
We have climbed with him
To the very mountaintop
Following as well as we can
A trek alien to men of the sea
Wondering, yet we will persist
This is a quest we have begun
A long while ago on this journey
To face what he wants us to see
For which we are wholly unprepared
Yet we have surmounted all on the way
As now in the bright light we witness
His countenance beyond our senses
A vision of prophets with him
The voice of the Father shakes us
As in fear we tremble
Yet we know it is good to be here
To witness we want to remain
In awe and wonder to behold
As the power of light envelops all
And his garments shine like the sun
For we too are changed just now
As we are bathed in this place of grace
And as we journey back down
Following Jesua back to the world
We are bursting with new joy
Yet this powerful wonder seen
Is not for us now to reveal
To those who are not ready
To witness the miracle he foretells
Of being raised from the dead
Transfigure me Lord
As I have received and see you in truth
Robe me now in your grace
Send me forth into the world
As I too descend from the mountaintop
With your love and blessing
And the gift of understanding -
First Sunday of Lent | February 26, 2023
This gospel reflection is based on Matthew 4:1-11.
Against Temptation
by Deacon Andy Cirmo
As it was said in test that day
In the dry desert of life
May these stones become bread
I believe in the power of the Son
And feeds the hungry with his love
And in his presence alone I truly find
The fulfillment of all my need
Holy nourishment for my soul
And all satisfaction in his love
The One who is true food
As it was said in test that day
From a vantage place on high
No eye can truly withhold
The power of the creator of all
Nor reveal his glorious wonder
And in he alone I truly find
The divine power of all giving love
Wholly beyond my understanding
At the edge of my comprehension
A holy all-fulfilling love which is life itself
As it was clearly seen on that day
From a place held high above
All that is, belongs to the One
Who is my creator and God
Who is love itself and all power
Dear Jesus,
Send me the power of your grace
To resist the temptation of pride
For you are the nourishment of my soul
Your strength alone is beyond all need
Your majesty on high I humbly serve
With my whole heart and being
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Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time | February 19, 2023
This gospel reflection is based on Matthew 5:38-48.
Love Above All
by Deacon Andy Cirmo
Turn my cheek, Love my enemy!
How can it be this which we must follow
So far from what we have been taught
Yet somehow its beauty is its truth
And its truth is its beauty
This teaching is so hard to hear
Because it is so different and counter
To all we have been taught
Yet our hearts burn at this message
As it in heart it changes everything
His word does not end or refute all
But fulfills its true meaning
It challenges our thoughts and minds
It now shows us a new way
Of living love rather than enforcing law
This teaching shows us such clear new lesson
That the law is the roadmap of God’s love
And that how we live is how we love
And how we love is how we live
In God’s love
This new law is a difficult challenge
For us all to bring to life in ours
Yet this teaching is not new at all
As in living it we fulfill the truth of old
And of the two greatest commandments
Can I live this way in reality
Turning the other cheek and loving my enemy
Can I so deeply embrace this teaching
That I no longer refuse one who would borrow
Oh that I have the strength to do this
Can I love those who hate me
Those who condemn and wrong me
And pray for those who persecute me
Do I have the will and the strength
To strive for such a change of heart
Dear Jesus, help me to live your love
Help me to have the strength of will
To act in ways of gentleness and love
In spite of my desire to defend and act
Against those who would tempt me
Be with me Lord
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Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time | February 12, 2023
This gospel reflection is based on Matthew 5:17-37.
Truth at Heart
by Deacon Andy Cirmo
This prophet, this carpenter’s son
This man from lowly Nazareth
This prophet Yesua of whom all speak
Who with words which bless our ears
Makes all clear and teaches truth
This Son of David, this preacher
This miracle worker from Galilee
This carpenter’s son of whom John spoke
Who is a wondrous teacher and prophet
Shows us the meaning of Law
Our hearts burn as we hear him
So clearly teaching the core of all truth
That God wants us not just in obedience
But in faithfulness to his love
Not just in the signs of the written law
Our minds are shown such clarity
When he speaks of how we treat each other
Acting not just as the law requires
But from the depths of our heart
As brother and sister above all
He comes not to remove the law
But to clarify the love of the Father
Teaching us how to reflect this love in life
In how we act and live and judge
Understanding the letter in its full meaning
That we should follow the law
Not because of its detail and severity
But because of its deepest meaning
To come through life’s difficulty and pain
That of fulfilling God’s desire for us
That all live and love and come to him
One by one and one with another
Overcoming earthly darkness and doubt
By finding and following truth in him alone
And live the law of love and heart
Dear Jesus, help me to live in the light of your love
By not just checking off the letters of your law
But by always seeking peace of heart
By always acting in truth and selflessness
And by understanding and living
The truth of your righteousness