The Arrival Arrival of what, perhaps you ask? What is so important, am I up for the task? There are presents to buy, wrap and give, I have a life and I’ve got it to live. It’s Christmas after all, what’s else matters, lights and trees, and gifts that flatter. What does it matter if […]
The snow started coming down hard a few hours after we’d arrived. It was Christmas Eve 1976. We were 20 miles from home, visiting my mother’s sister at her home in the country. Earlier that evening, my mother, father, grandmother and sisters had piled into the station wagon to begin our trek. I was 14 […]
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, […]
Birthday So much world all at once – how it hustles and bustles! Moraines and morays and morasses and mussels, The flame, the flamingo, the flounder, the feather – How to line them all up, how to put them together? All the tickets and crickets and creepers and creeks! The beeches and leeches alone could […]
Quiet Must be in Me If I am to touch Him, I must be at peace. If I am to love Him, Quiet must be in me. For turbulence does not invite the Lord, Nor does anger or hate. Peace is the gateway to Christ. Love is the avenue to the Most High Holy One. […]
Dutifully, Catholics go on the hunt each year for the highly coveted, purple and pink candle ensemble vital to any serious Advent wreath. I’m eighty-seven percent sure that I buy a replacement set after Christmas in anticipation of the following liturgical season. I proudly congratulate myself for thinking ahead, taking advantage of the sale price, […]
Time and Eternity The truly desolate And pathetic sort, Are those who of Earth Believe Elysian Fields they can create In time, to quell their fears. Not so, not so, For what would heaven be, If on earth everything, Here, Was granted Free To thee? Stacy Peterson November 12, 2014
As she approached the hall where the wedding celebration was to be held, Mary was attentive to the individual people within the groups swirling around the festivities. She was aware, although not particularly conscious, of a certain deference that was accorded her and her son as they quietly made their way to their places. She […]
It’s amazing that the show was nearly not broadcast. I speak of “A Charlie Brown Christmas” — a show that, for reasons I don’t understand, holds more power over me with every passing year. The show has a very simple premise: Too much commercialization can take the meaning out of Christmas. As it goes, Charlie […]
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 […]
The Nativity of Christ Behold the father is his daughter’s son, The bird that built the nest is hatched therein, The old of years an hour hath not outrun, Eternal life to live doth now begin, The Word is dumb, the mirth of heaven doth weep, Might feeble is, and force doth faintly creep. O […]
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 […]
Grave of the Angelic Pastor I spoke to stone today As if it was you Your photograph was there With an unnatural background Indistinct clouds and rays of light Surrounding your face You were always so engaged in life It is strange to see you still And without a context Even if it is only […]
An Old Nun’s Prayer With these hands, I have served You Lord. With this heart, I have loved You all my life. If my hour be at hand, Let it come, let it come. For I have awaited this moment, To meet You. You know me fully, You have seen my soul. It is Yours, […]
Up in Smoke I admit it: I feel sorry for cigarette and cigar smokers these days. But changing fashions and the results of the recent election may offer them hope. Cigarette smoking used to be fashionable. Actors like Steve McQueen and Sean Connery made it look manly and cool in their many movies. Women who […]
A Book There is no frigate like a book To take us lands away, Nor any coursers like a page Of prancing poetry. This traverse may the poorest take Without oppress of toll; How frugal is the chariot That bears a human soul! Emily Dickinson
My Church Brother He came in oversized 550 Levi jeans colored deep Jean Blue, Size 36/36, but he required a few inches smaller. No problem, the silver woven belt cinched his waist, Balooning his billowing wrinkled white shirt over his chest. He came wearing a Christmas tie, with the knot askew, Apparently unaware of Halloween […]
Dream Land Where sunless rivers weep Their waves into the deep, She sleeps a charmed sleep: Awake her not. Led by a single star, She came from very far To seek where shadows are Her pleasant lot. She left the rosy morn, She left the fields of corn, For twilight cold and lorn And water […]
Holy Wholly Holy Child, more than dear, Three, Father, father and me, Made you, Wholly, completely, holy. I surround you. Not part of me, You are in me, Wholly, totally, holy. For this time, You move and I hold all of you, Wholly, entirely and holy. How many times have Your lips touched me ? […]
Not until it got dark! That was the trick-or-treating rule my mother set down every year. She didn’t want me to embarrass her by interrupting families still having dinner. I hated the rule. Tommy Gillen and I had big plans to hit as many houses as possible before we had to come home. It was […]
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 […]
The Relic of the True Cross I saw you today, You tiny speck. Small though you are, You are astounding to see, Resting in your reliquary. I gazed upon you, Expecting some miracle, To happen, then and there, And to me. Tiny you are in your resting place. Blessed by Him who touched your face. […]
The View from Shore the sailboats bob in the bay – a languid dance upon the gentle waves. sometimes together sometimes alone their masts pointing singly to heaven. Maria Morera Johnson
Content and Rich I dwell in Grace’s court, Enriched with Virtue’s rights; Faith guides my wit, Love leads my will, Hope all my mind delights. In lowly vales I mount To pleasure’s highest pitch; My silly shroud true honour brings; My poor estate is rich. My conscience is my crown, Contented thoughts my rest; My […]
