Apostolic Spirit

“The apostolic spirit,

exercises promote it,

prayers receive it,

and practices conserve it.”[1]

Serious study

and meditation

promote it,

but “self” menace it.

Selfishness withers,

self-seeking desiccates,

self-satisfaction parches,

self-interest shrinks.

Sincere charity

and heartfelt zeal

render us indifferent

and detached.

“The world is a fiery

and seething furnace

and blessed are those souls

that are tempered by it”[2]

[1] Father Judge Meditations p. 158

[2] Ibid p. 158

The Fruit

“A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit,

an evil tree cannot bring forth good fruit.

so by the fruit you shall know them.”[1]

I am thankful and humbled

by the harmony that attends

whole-souled collaboration

With good things done to me and through me.

I bask in the bounty of blessings

and I grasp the glut of graces

some tired and sin-stained

others poor and neglected

there is hope for the spiritually abandoned

“How many would have died in their 

infidelity and sin

had I not softened their hard hearts?[2]

softened hearts fear not

softened hearts sing a new song

softened hearts bear fruit

[1] Matt. 7:18-20

[2] Father Judge Meditations p. 149

Hopes

(based on Anima Christi by Ignatius Loyola)

Breath of the Spirit, inspire me

Body and Blood of Christ, nurture me

Bounty of the Creator, sustain me

Zealous Christ, strengthen me

Sacrificed Christ, save me

Risen Christ, restore me

Your fiat moves me

Your acceptance assures me

Your perseverance encourages me

Your wounds preserve me.

Help me endure trials and tribulations.

Stay at my side

Hold me close to you

now and at the hour of my death

Bless me with your presence

Anonymous Trust

hope prompts faith

faith instills trust

and leads to care

so I engender trust

by being pleasant

by doing good

random acts of kindness

do no harm

and kindness begets kindness

can’t we all get along

assume I am not a threat

and pose no danger

to behave civilly

overcomes crudity

and prevents cruelty

yes trust fosters communion

sharing mitigates hate

and promotes confidence

I wave to the stranger

I answer the door

I welcome the visitor

Cleansing Lenses

Before I put my glasses on…

I wipe them with a special

cloth that frees them of specks.

I am now ready for what’s ahead,

prepared for the epiphanies

and aware of possibilities.

My glasses shield the windows of my soul,

protecting and obfuscating

what I see and how I am seen.

How I see is what I see:

peering intently with discernment,

glancing lightly with abandon.

After a while, I must wipe them again…

to see clearly I take them off

and review what I just saw.

My glasses focus me

I hear with my eyes

I see with my ears

I hug with my heart

Give Me Grace

Jesus give me the grace to remember,

          “all is gift, all is grace”

I often expect you to intervene

          and give me what I want.

Instead rightfully and correctly

          You provide me with what I need.

I pray for peace and quiet

to listen intently.

I get a cacophony of distractions

          that I must hear.

I pray for affirmation

          to assure confidence.

I get challenged to amend

          that makes me change.

I pray for harmony

          to be happy and satisfied

I get unintended consequence

          that requires relentless perseverance

I pray for restoration

          to serve the greater good.

I get confronted with the common good

          that creates community.

I humbly accept these answers with gratitude

I enjoy your gifts and grace

XIV Temperance

(based on Meditations on the Tarot by Anonymous)

Persevering with patience

yields a proper vision;

all things in moderation

makes for good intuition.

“I come with understanding.

to your appeal – an answer;

I have come to declare Truth

because you are beloved.” [1]

Angelines have mother’s love.

and with the “queen of the Angels”,

holds us close and keeps us well…

kisses us and makes us better.

Our guardian Angels

watch over us: all questions

resolved, all fears allayed,

all anxieties embraced

Blood enlists fidelity,

sweat entails persistence,

tears engage with compassion –

Temperance consummates.

Temptation will not avail…

“Then the devil left him

and, behold, angels came

and ministered to him.”[2]

[1] Daniel 9:21-22

[2] Matthew 4:11

My Goal

I rest assured that

            God puts up with me and takes care of me

compelling me to respond with harmony.

The goal of my life is

            to do God’s will

in the service of the greater good.

My Creator asks me

            to cultivate a relationship

with the cosmos.

I am one with God

            when I am open to the Creator’s Presence

in all things all ways.

My Savior gave me

            the good news of restoration

providing reparation and renewal

Jesus taught me the blessedness

            of justice with mercy

in loving my neighbor

My Sanctifier inspires me

            to be good, to do good,

and be a power for good.

The Spirit gives me

            awareness and acceptance

with calmness and serenity.

What Do I Want

Discernment has many outcomes

and lots of possibilities.

Sometimes the choice is

between Good or Bad –

the difference

between right and wrong.

Sometimes not so easy

to do what’s correct.

Sometimes the option is

between Good or Good –

opposing goods offer

unique outcomes.

Sometimes the paths diverge

and both cannot be taken.

Sometimes the selection is

between Bad or Bad –

alas poor picks

no good can come of this.

Sometimes when all is not well

abrupt change is called for.

Sometimes the decision is

between Good or Better –

good enough

might be OK.

Sometimes all-in

can’t be achieved

Sometimes judgment is not

between either / or –

rather it’s both / and

abiding unbounded.

Sometimes detachment

includes no exclusion.

Discernment has many outcomes

and lots of possibilities.