Lord, Come and See!

Come to my heart, this dull cold heart of mine,
All irresponsive to a love divine;
What lacks it to become Thy hallowed shrine?  
Lord, come and see!  

coram sanctissimo

Coram Sanctissimo
by Mother Mary Loyola

IX
Lord, Come and See!

(John xi. 34)

 

Come to my heart as unto Bethl’hem’s grot,
A hovel-home that love despises not:
Can love transform it to a pleasant spot?
Lord, come and see!

Come to my heart as once to Bethany:
A brother’s grave is there, and piteously
Are tears and supplication calling Thee:
Lord, come and see!

How flocked of yore unto Thy blessed feet
The sick, the sad, Thy mercy to entreat!
I too have needs Thy pitying eye to meet:
Lord, come and see!

Come, lay Thy hand upon each leprous stain;
Come with Thy word of might the fiend to chain;
The open festering sore, the hidden pain,
Lord, come and see!

Come to my heart, this dull cold heart of mine,
All irresponsive to a love divine;
What lacks it to become Thy hallowed shrine?
Lord, come and see!

Happier by far than in the olden days
Judea’s glorious Temple—what delays
Its song and sacrifice, its prayer and praise?
Lord, come and see!

Perchance, like Temple Courts, doth sinful stain,
The world’s loud trafficking, the greed of gain
Thy Father’s house, the house of prayer profane:
Lord, come and see!

Come, Holy One, I yield myself to Thee;
E’en scourge in hand, come, Lord and Love, to me.
What change shall make me Thine, Thine utterly?
Lord, come and see!

 

 

 

 

 

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Thank you so much to St. Augustine Academy Press for cooperating with this endeavor! If you are interested in this or other works by Mother Mary Loyola (as well as many other great books for spiritual growth and meditation), please check out their website.You will find many wonderful treasures from which to choose!

 

 

Why Stand Looking Up At The Sky?

It never gets easier to see faces of love ones recede into the distance.

by Paula Zwenger

The wonder continues. Confounding to some, comforting to others, Catholics are still celebrating Easter! The past six weeks we daily listened to readings from the Acts of the Apostles. We heard of the growth and witness of the early Church.

Now, we celebrate the Solemnity of Our Lord’s Ascension.  As he left the apostles, He promised to be with them always. He promised to send an advocate to strengthen them. Imagine how they felt as they watched Him vanish. What depth of sadness touched their souls once He was out of sight? Still, they believed and rejoiced.

Men of Galilee, why are you standing there looking up at the sky? This Jesus who has been taken up from you into heaven will return in the same way as you have seen him going into heaven.

Acts 2:11

We can imagine on some small scale a bit of their sadness. We never grow used to saying goodbye. It never gets easier to see faces of love ones recede into the distance. Often subtle tears, added to sighs of resignation, make appearance unbidden. Yet we too, believe and rejoice.

Beyond Goodbye

Forty days since Easter morn, when the temple veil was torn
Jesus risen from the tomb, conquering all deathly gloom
As they watched, still some confused, He ascended in their view
on to Heaven’s watchful throne, King of Kings, our Lord alone.

Would you stare, if it was you, up and off into the blue
skies where He, who saved your soul, rose triumphant, body whole?
Still His promise fills the heart, telling why He must depart
sending One for all our days, Advocate to guide our ways.

Down to earth their gaze return, even while their hearts would burn
long with passion for His face. Soon the Spirit’s strong embrace
filled their hearts to fortify – bold inviting all nearby
“Do repent! Be baptized free. Claim as Savior – Risen HE!

Ours the graces. Ours the hope. Ours the thanks for help to cope
with our fallen nature when shriven, we arise again.
Sure our step, in world seemed lost, paying joyful any cost;
following apostles bold, bringing all to heaven’s hold.

The truth is no one knows the hour or day when he or she will be called to heaven. A relative diagnosed with cancer may well outlive a partner going to work the next day. An elderly grandparent may be scooting around long after the newest grandchild enters and exits the stage of life. What we have is this moment to live well. We also have an Advocate in the Holy Spirit. As a loving member of the Triune God, He consoles, challenges, and instructs.

Perhaps now, when smaller departures are at hand, we can simply say, “May God Bless and keep you. See you soon.” Then believe and rejoice until we are together again.

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Paula Zwenger
is a wife, mother, and grandmother who, upon finding herself an empty nester, tried on the hat of rhyme loving writer. It fit very well. Her joy manifests completely while taking the ups and downs of life and wrangling them into poetry. She also has a passion for creating rhymed treasure hunts with a Catholic flare to celebrate the faith and learn a thing or two along the way. You can find her musings at RhymeLovingWriter.com.

Hidden Jesus and the Dancing Sun

 

Fatima

by Paula Zwenger

One hundred years ago today a miracle occurred
amid the hills of Portugal – I wonder, have you heard
of three young children tending sheep on hillsides near their town
who witnessed our dear Lady when from heaven she came down?
An angel came before her to prepare the children’s hearts.
She then appeared five times to them – a message to impart.

She came to see the children, sweetest Mother of Our Lord.
She came to see the children for she knew that they adored
and loved their Savior very much; but sinners as we are,
we needed her to help us see we’d wandered very far
away from Him, who loves us so with love to last all days.
She came with love and remedy to help us mend our ways.

She brought Jacinta, Francesco and Lucia a sign.
A daily rosary she asked, and sacrifices fine
to mend the sorrows of her heart, Immaculate and thorned;
without a heed to what she said, dire consequence was warned.
Our Savior’s hand of justice would be tempered if we gave
attention to her message – sent for all the world to save.

The youngest two, when all began, were too young to receive
Our Eucharistic Lord, yet still they followed and believed.
They loved the Hidden Jesus while His Mother they’d attend,
enduring even glimpse of hell where sadly, some souls end.
They sacrificed their whole day long to make amends for sins;
so none would turn from loving God and all invite Him in.

The final time she came to them upon the hilltop fair
a crowd of thousands also came to witness  Mary there.
The mud was thick upon the ground for rain had fallen too.
Then sun came out and dried their clothes, and danced in thousands’ view.
A miracle she said they’d see so all could know in truth
the message of Our Lady she had given to the youth.

These children loved Our Lady, they were persecuted long
but never lost their courage though their trials were dark and strong.
The youngest two would perish young. Lucia took the veil,
away to cloistered life she chose, submissive without fail.
She told the stories, as was asked by popes, about her friends,
but fame was never once her goal or means to reach an end.

“Oh my Jesus” so she taught and, “forgive us our sins”
“Save us from the fires of hell and lead all souls” again
“to heaven, especially those,” sweet Jesus, “most in need
of thy mercy” was the prayer she gave to intercede.
Now we say these special words at every decade done,
praying for salvation by the mercy of God’s Son.

Our rosary beads we deftly finger each and every day
to honor our dear Mother as she leads us on our way.
The sun will dance with certainty in our hearts, who believe;
for light of God is meant for truth and never to deceive.
Sweet Fatima, your message clear, we celebrate this day;
may faithfulness and sacrifice abide with us to stay.

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image1
Paula Zwenger
is a wife, mother, and grandmother who, upon finding herself an empty nester, tried on the hat of rhyme loving writer. It fit very well. Her joy manifests completely while taking the ups and downs of life and wrangling them into poetry. She also has a passion for creating rhymed treasure hunts with a Catholic flare to celebrate the faith and learn a thing or two along the way. You can find her musings at RhymeLovingWriter.com.

Guest Post: Finding Your Little Way -Rhymes & Riddles and Role Models for Lent

Put some lift in your Lent by solving some riddles that point to some excellent examples of “saintly” devotion.

Paula Zwenger has a lovely way of using rhyme to bring joy and inspiration to any subject – Hopefully her guest post of rhymes and riddles will liven up your Lenten journey. Find more of Paula’s wordplay at RhymeLovingWriter.com.

Lost and Found

Have you ever arrived at what you thought would be your intended destination only to find it had moved? Perhaps a favorite store expanded into a larger space, or an office found more favorable rental terms and relocated? Surely a practical minded person would double check on a detail like this before striking out to travel any appreciable distance, wouldn’t they?

Well, maybe – or maybe not. My husband and I recently scheduled an appointment across town, approximately a forty minute drive from home. Having been to this particular location several times in the past, we confidently left plenty of time to account for possible traffic jams.

Except when we arrived, with minutes to spare, the business we sought was empty. The main sign still displayed on the outer street marquee, but the office space stood unoccupied.

Thankfully we had a simple cell phone and contact number, so quickly called the business. We learned that they relocated three weeks prior (yes, they’d mailed a notice but we’d both missed it somehow). We then used that most ancient of all devices, a paper street map, to chart our course to the new location.

Although potentially embarrassing, the experience provides fodder for reflection. In today’s age of advancing technology, there seems little need to do advance planning. You research your intended destination from home to get a drive-time estimate. As for particular turns or detours, those take care of themselves with smart phone updates as you travel.

Unless you don’t have a smart phone or app that provides that service – then what happens? How will you travel in a good direction and arrive at your desired destination? Is the newest technology necessary to make for smoothest transition between point A and point B?

Sometimes old ‘tried and true’ methods hold merit worthy of examination.

Tis’ the Season

We’ve begun again – the wonderful, penitential season of Lent, gifted to us through the wisdom of Holy Mother Church. These forty days before Easter afford time for renewal and repentance, manifested through disciplines of prayer, fast, and almsgiving.

We travel, as did our forefathers in faith – as did Jesus – through the desert. We prepare our hearts and minds to celebrate the Paschal mystery and renewal of Easter promises. One step after another, we surrender to grace.

We won’t fall into developing good habits by accident. Instead of ‘business as usual’, resembling a slip into minimal awareness of our dignity as God’s chosen people, we focus with intent on all we can become, by His grace. One thing that helps focus our efforts is a plan, a road map of sorts, to provide direction.

Where there’s a Will – There’s a Way

Beyond general guidance and minimal requirements proscribed by the Church, she encourages us to choose activities which help us center ever more closely on taking up our cross and following Christ. These choices entail a certain amount of sacrifice.

Sacrifice is a personal thing. What works for one person may be inappropriate for another. What sufficed for a child no longer challenges as an adult. How do we decide each year which particular disciplines honor God at this point in our spiritual journey? Certainly, the counsel of a spiritual director or wise Christian friend helps us discern possibilities. Whether found via a search on a smart phone or within the volumes of pages published on the subject, numerous Lenten guides are available as well.

One other possibility holds promise – learning about choices made by our older brothers and sisters in faith – the Saints. Though unique to each, as is our particular call and path, we find inspiration and perhaps discipline for adaptation in their ‘tried and true’ life stories.

Five Little Ways in Rhyme

The following rhymed riddle verses hint about particular Saints and how each followed a distinct path to take up his/her cross and follow Christ. Try to puzzle out who each verse marigold_garden_pictures_and_rhymes_1910_14566514398describes. (If you get stuck, answers are listed at the very bottom of this post.)

Perhaps you’ve already determined and implemented your plan for the 2017 Lenten season. If not, maybe the footsteps of those who successfully lived lives of heroic virtue point to a new ‘little way’ of inspiration.

 

 

 

She faced an illness, then was cured; devoted to His holy Word
Her mother died at tender age, yet never against God did rage
Instead she focused all on Him, with disregard for selfish whims
She died on Holy Saturday in passion’s ecstasy displayed
From Lucca was her hailing place; accomplished all through God’s own grace
“Daughter of Passion” once was known – surrendered life to build His throne
A victim soul, for all repents – now known as patron of students
Christ’s Passion did become her all – she answered Him with Love’s own call

~~~~

This man became a priest though weak, His served the Lord in all ways meek
Though Satan often battered him, His faith in God would never dim
He’s known for gift of ‘reading souls’, confessing hours on end untold
He’d bi-locate and counsel give, to souls in need so they could live
Though Rome showed care in early days, to sanctity his cause was raised
The stigmata his sign to bear; with other crosses hidden there
A hospital was built nearby to help the poor to heal or die
His motto – it is said to be : was ”Pray, Hope, and Don’t Worry”

~~~~

A powerhouse of Godly strength, this woman’s life of shortened length
Mere years of thirty-three she spent, yet nearly all showed heaven’s bent
From tender age she vowed so pure to live for God alone, so sure
was she about this calling true; it focused all she chose to do
Though born a twin, her sister died in infancy, but she survived
Her writings now, prolific then; give stir to hearts of many men
She counseled popes; she served the ill; She’s known for her persuasive skill
Dominican and mystic both, to Jesus Christ she was betrothed

~~~~

Next comes a man, from France he hailed; a holy man thought sometimes frail
His Latin teacher had a chore to help him reach some passing scores
Yet holiness and love for God were central to the way he trod
Though drafted for the army range he never served for reasons strange
Then after war and amnesty he finished up seminary
Then sent to a small town to preach; his heart for all set him to teach
So many came – forgiveness sought; in confession God’s graces wrought
We celebrate his August feast; and hold him patron for our priests

~~~~

This final riddle of a saint tells of a person some found quaint
Yet as a child so sensitive, her youngest years were tough to live
Her mother died, some siblings too, though older sister helped her through
Her Mom made lace, the best around, her father’s work with watch renowned
She often struggled as a child, to find a way so meek and mild
She even asked the Pope to give permission so as nun she’d live
He said to wait, and so she did; but soon enough she would be bid
to join Franciscans, as was planned; though short, her time with them was grand

~~~~

So think on these, some ‘little ways’, which could become your own one day. 
A life inspires if lived full well – and every life a tale can tell.
Will ours unfold as holy too? Let’s pray for Love to see it through.
We’ll pray and live as Saints have done – the cross of God’s redeeming Son.

 

 

Answers:

St. Gemma Galgani
St. Pio of Pietrelcina
St. Catherine of Siena
St. John Marie Vianney
St. Therese of Lisieux

 

Art: Marigold garden; pictures and rhymes  Greenaway, Kate

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