Just As I Am / Through a Glass Darkly Just as I am, All that I am, You behold me. I see so little, So little of me, So little of You. “Through a glass darkly” Sufficiency suffices, In Faith, believing. Mingled here, Your Mercy, Grandeur, clouded in Mystery, I rest as a babe. Just […]
Giving Gifts to God Babe of Bethlehem, Your Star still lights the way. You are the loveliest flower, Your Father’s good creation, A wondrous bouquet. Kings are approaching, Bearing gifts, While this New Day dawns. This day finds me by Your side, Reverently watching, As you nurse At Mother Mary’s breast. In the ordinary tasks […]
Dancing With God (Remembering Doris) Early one morning in the Holy Land, I gazed heavenward and smiled; An image painted in cloud, Floated in the sky. “I had the best dream,” My companion, shared; “It was so real.” “I was dancing with Jesus.” God delights to confirm the visions, He gives His friends. The heavens […]
A Blessing for New Life All Holy, Almighty, Jesus, Purest Heart, Look upon the sweet beings, God’s good creations, Nestled in the sanctity of human wombs. Encircle the world through these little ones, With Triune Love. Bless Mother Eve with the “Fiat” grace of Mother Mary, To bring forth a generation wed to Your Holy […]
Not Me but Thee Lord, as I begin this day, Have it Your way. I seek not me, but Thee. When bitter valley threaten, And I count the cost, I choose not me, but Thee. In the dark night. Trace Your path upon my heart, That demons, seeking to terrorize and tempt, Meet not me, […]
Host upon the Altar Pristine the whiteness Engulfed in radiant flame, Golden the rays, Set about Your throne upon the altar. For all the beauty of the monstrance, You outshine the artist’s creation, Just as You outshine Creation. Give me eyes to see the Reality. My eyes are designed to apprehend matter. Here, You give […]
O Eternal Spring O Eternal Spring O sweet refreshment of my soul Look on me And draw me ever nearer Thee. In the furnace of Your Heart Make me like unto Thee, That my mortal frame May melt and meld, To be of Thee, eternally. © 2016 Joann Nelander
Sweet Presence You are here. My soul drinks Of Your Presence. Here is sweetness pervading, Time with no measure, Eternity kissing the moment, Stillness, though fleeting. Your touch stirs the life of me. I want to dance, Charged with new vigor. I should simply gaze on You But the power of life Is hard to […]
Live Henceforth in My Love Blessing full and overflowing Pour over me, Around me, And though and through. It is You, Who plans for me, Accomplishes this work, And I , For my part, Desire, And yield, My whole life, Loving You. ©2013 Joann Nelander
Love’s Reach I reach for You With my life, All my life. It is not for naught, That You labored, Bore my sins. I reach for You With my thoughts. In the night, I contemplate Your Dying. Writhing in agony, Alone with hell’s phantoms, Blood called From Your flesh. More than a drop Spoke my […]
My Cry, Your Heart, My God Reaching for You in the Night, I marvel. What worlds my prayer spans! The darkness of Space and Ages Is penetrated by Your Light, Pierced by my cry of recognition. My will, like Longinian sword, Penetrates Your Heart, Tapping perpetual Springs. Hallowed walls of Flesh part To welcome me, […]
Here, Now and Forever Here You are beside me. Here You are within me. Here You share Your Being as Bread for my living. Here I am believing. Here I am becoming. Here I receive Your Spirit as Life for my soul. Here we dwell together. Here we dwell in loving. Here we give, completely, […]
With You in Mind Still unfolding in Time, God built the Universe With you in mind. Matter abounds in precise measure, Yet only mind cares To count the treasure. The Nature of Reality Weighs only upon Man. Mind, immaterial, Counts on Science to understand. But mensuration once obtained Must be thought to think things through, […]
I’m Doing the Best I Can I say it so often, “I am doing the best I can do.” My heart breaks, For I desire to do all for You, Yet, I am full of myself, And You seem silent. I am still of the earth And aspire to heaven. I am so common, Yet […]
All You Have Given Me I love You, Lord. You embrace me In our communion Of Eucharist. I believe in Your love For the sinner. I am that sinner. You come to me. I am empty and poor, Yet, You make My poverty Your paradise. Here I bring to You All You have given me. […]
Wisdom, Come Wisdom, come sit beside me. Come, quiet my soul with Your whisper of peace. Come, with heavenly companionship. Come and remain, all my life long. Wisdom, come here beside me. Copyright 2015 Joann Nelander
Morning Sigh A sigh of longing A sigh of love A sigh bidding to my side The Lord above. Breathe in the Spirit. Breathe in that Holy Ghost. Breathe deeply in the morning The God of hosts. Joann Nelander Copyright 2013
Child of the Cross Mother Mary, Witness of the Passion, Suffering witness, Living the Passion, As your Jesus Hung on the Cross. Pray, Mary. Pray, My Mother, Pray for me, Who am so scattered, Distracted and disengaged. Pray every moment Of my life here on earth, That I be prepared for suffering, That I be […]
Alpha and Omega Lord be the alpha and omega Of my moments this day. Be the beginning and end O my every thought, inclination and desire, The motus primo primi Of my life. Joann Nelander
A King, A Victim, A Priest A king, A victim, A priest, A king accused, A victim scourged, A priest condemned, A king crowned and robed, A victim beaten and humiliated, A priest on the altar of the Cross, O Anointed One, O Crucified One, O Holy One, Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done. […]
Be Ready for the Infant King Who will come to the stable On Christmas Day? And what will they take away? Wise men, steadfast and earnest, came, Instead of palace music, They heard the donkey brae. A lowly sound and sight, Yet their wonder unallayed. Many come rejoicing, To behold the Newborn King, Bowing low, […]
Advent – Prayer in Waiting Advent is upon my soul. Divine gift of season, I listen for the cry of a First Born Son, Begotten before Time begun, And enfleshed in the Virgin’s womb. I come to her, Who is the Ark, Your Mercy Seat. Kneeling beside her, In these pregnant moments, I lay my […]
A Blessing of New Life All Holy, Almighty, Jesus, Purest Heart, Look upon the sweet beings, God’s good creations, Nestled in the sanctity of human wombs. Encircle the world through these little ones, With Triune Love. Bless Mother Eve with the “Fiat” grace of Mother Mary, To bring forth a generation wed to Your Holy […]
Spiritual Communion Come, my Lord, to this poor dwelling, You are Lord of all, and heaven is at hand As You approach. Come in Spirit to my humble abode, At your coming, the angels make ready. They spread their wings over Your Mercy Seat, Come be enthroned here in my heart. Allow the splendor of […]
