Will we be surprised, or not?
When meeting God above
He says the man we helped by placing
food in his torn glove
Was God’s own self in human form
with every pain thereof (Mt. 25)
‘Twas Christ disguised in reeking rags and
begging for our love (Jn. 19:28)
Will we be surprised, or not?
When meeting Christ the Lord
He gratefully reveals that hidden
‘neath the suff’ring faces
Of folks we visited at home
or psychiatric ward,
‘Twas His own Face! Still pleading from His
Cross in countless places (Col. 1:24)
Will we be surprised, or not?
When meeting Christ our God
We then discover that each soul
We served unshrinkingly
Was His live image: poor, unhoused, un-
fed, unborn, unshod
He’ll look into our eyes and say,
“You did those things for Me” (Mt. 25)
But Christ has also promised that for
Needs we would NOT meet
For folks we would NOT serve (or, at least
pray for with concern)
“What you did not do for these least, you
did not do for me”
At last, the fire of God’s love
Will either thrill… or burn
Category: basic evangelization
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No comments on Then will We Be Surprised, or Not?
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One’s heaven could begin today
But hell could start now too
So walk the “narrow road to life” (Mt. 7:14)
The Savior lights for you (Jn. 8:12)
For in the end we’ll make our choice
Of where we want to stay
The Father’s House of Love, or not? (Jn. 14)
On earth, our choice is made
Our entrance into heaven’s gates
Cannot be guaranteed (Heb. 10:26)
No matter what we do or don’t
Christ’s pardon we will need (Eph. 2:8-9)
God’s heaven is a gift, not earned
Unwrapped by love-in-action; prayer;
For heaven is a Person- Christ!
Where He is… heaven’s there (Jn. 15)
Eternal life begins today
When we return His gaze
And Mary’s gaze of love, as wellOur Queen, who for us prays (Jn. 2:3)
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[when reading, pause at the commas]
In the end, all that matters
Is not money, is not cars
At life’s close, all that counts is
found in One whocounts the stars (Ps. 147:4)
In this life, all our visions
All our plans, may not happen
All that counts, is the plan of
Him who did notcount the cost (Phil. 2:6)
When at last, all our loved ones
will have passed, made brand new
through their trust, in the Savior (Jn. 3:16)
and His death andrising too (1 Jn. 1:7)
In the end, Christ will conquer
Satan’s ploys, death and loss (1 Jn. 3:8)
Heaven’s joys, will be shared in
by the bearersof His Cross (Mt. 16:24)
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(Concept inspired by podcast with Fr. Paul Murray)
*****Each painting that soothes us
Or tear-springing tune
Each novel that moves us
Or gem finely hewn
Each smile we treasure
Each animal cute
Each redwood of grandeur
Or color-splashed fruit
Each sunset fantastic
Or moonrise of glory
All mountains majestic
But tell half the story
Those times we catch sight of
Some marvel and stare
Each song that enchants us
So gripping, yet fair
We find that it wounds us
And leaves us still yearning
A presence, yet absence
That quells not the churning
All visions eye-drenching
Explode, then expire
Our heart’s thirst unquenching
Our souls more require
Beneath such brief beauties
Beneath, yet above
The Bridegroom-Creator
Soft-whispers His love
With gifts, He pursues us
This Lover untiring
With loveliness woos us (1)
T’ward joy unexpiring*****
(1) cf. Song of Songs
Thank you Jesus, source of all beauty;
reason and inspiration for the co-creation of this beauty;
sustainer of this beauty and enabler of our perception of it!
O Lord, to whom this beauty points as a sign,
may all created, temporary beauty draw us to You,
O Uncreated, Eternal, and Beautiful One…
“What no eye has seen, nor ear heard,
nor the heart of man imagined,
what God has prepared for those who love him” (1 Cor. 2:9) -
I wrote this poem on retreat in 2021, inspired by Saint Ignatius of Loyola’s “First Principal and Foundation” and St. Richard of Chichester’s famous prayer
Grant me O Lord, this grace for my soul,
as I strive toward, life’s target and goal:
to know Christ more clearly, His thoughts words and deeds,
to love Him more dearly, His care my soul needs,
to follow Him more nearly, through service and prayer,
to shine His light cheerily, on all who despair,
to know and to love and to serve Jesus now,
gives purpose to everything: pen, lathe, or plow,
please grant me this grace my dear Father above,
Your Will I’ll embrace- even pain- with His love
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Jesus is the “Bread of Life” – He gives Himself as Food (John 6:35)
Christ, Life-giving “Fount of Life” – my soul with strength imbued (John 7:37)Jesus is “Immanuel” – “God with us” in the flesh (Isaiah 7:14)
Christ, the brand new baby born – The “News” that’s always fresh (Luke 2)Jesus, “Bridegroom” of our souls – He calls us to His Feast (Matt. 9:15; Luke 14:15)
Christ, the “Servant of the Lord” – Who serves the last and least (Acts 4:29-30)Jesus, “Savior” of the world – there’s POWER in his Name (Luke 2:11)
Christ, “Good Shepherd” of our souls – Who seeks the lost and lame (John 10:11)Jesus is the “Son of God” – Who’s also Mary’s son (Matthew 3:17)
Christ, “Messiah”, “Lamb of God” – His death forgiveness won (John 1:41; John 1:29)Jesus, God and “Son of Man” – Divine and human One (Luke 19:10)
Christ, “I Am” ‘fore Abraham – And ‘fore time was begun (John 8:58)Jesus, our “Deliverer” – The devil’s plans upended (1 Thessalonians 1:10; John 8:36)
Christ, the “Judge” of you and me – When earthly life is ended (Acts 10:42)Jesus is the “King of Kings” – Whose Kingdom love bestows
Christ, the very “Lord of Lords” – Who overcomes all foes (Revelation 17:14)Jesus is the “Lord of All” – “Above all names”, HIS Name
Christ, confessed by every tongue – All knees bent to HIS fame (Philippians 2:9-11)Jesus, “Lion of Judah’s Tribe” – His Roar gives Satan flight (Revelation 5:5)
Christ, “The Light” of all the world – His foll’wers have life’s light (John 8:12)Jesus is the “Prince of Peace” – Earth’s peace can’t hold a candle (Isaiah 9:6; Ephesians 2:14)
Christ, “Our Hope” in life’s dismay – There’s nothing He can’t handle (1 Timothy 1:1)Jesus, “Life” and “Resurrection” – Faith in Him makes clean (John 11:2)
Christ, “The Way, the Truth, and Life” (John 14:6) – “The Door” to pastures green (John 10:9; Psalm 23)Jesus, “Great High Priest” for us – And “pleasing sacrifice” (Hebrews 4:14; Mark 1:11)
Christ, the Church’s “Cornerstone” – For sin, His life the price (Psalm 118:22; Ephesians 1:22)Jesus is the “Vine” of life – His branches to enthrall (John 15:1)
Christ, “The Word” with God above – In THIS Word God said ALL (John 1:1)(Ask Him to come into your heart today, tomorrow, and every day!)
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If you’re consid’ring seeking God
And if He can be found
Then know He’s first been seeking you (Luke 19:10)
He’s known as Heaven’s “Hound” (Francis Thompson’s poem The Hound of Heaven)
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“The Lord rewards all those who seek Him…
…honestly” with trust (Hebrews 11:6)
Christ’s promise, “Seek and you shall find” (Matthew 7:7) the
Treasure that won’t rust (Jeremiah 2:13)
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Go “look for God with ALL your heart” (Deuteronomy 4:29)
Your search will be anointed
The Lord has pledged that those who “seek”
Will NOT be disappointed (Jeremiah 29:13)
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“For all who search will find [Him]” (Proverbs 8:17) Yes!
His promises are true
With every step you limp t’ward God
Ten steps He leaps t’ward you (Song of Songs 2:8-9)
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When God created you He planned a path of joy all measured out-A dream for you He dreamed up long ago (Ephesians 1:4)
God planned each detail of your road to lead you to His Treasure! Doubt?-
Then ask Him, “What’s my path, I long to know!” (Hebrews 11)
God foreordained good works for you to do for sundry suff’ring souls-
Love’s deeds that wait for you and you alone (Ephesians 2:10)
The path the Shepherd leads you on is not without rough rocks and holes-
Beneath His Wings, protection is well known (Matthew 23:37; Psalm 91)
God’s plan for you is full – chock full! – of hope and “welfare, not of woe”-
He’ll show you step by step the path to tread (Jeremiah 29:11; Psalm 23)
He’ll arm you with the Spirit’s Sword to strike down lies from mankind’s Foe-
Faith’s Shield repels his firey darts of dread (Ephesians 6:17; 1 Peter 5:8)
The “road is wide” that leads unprayerful souls to hopeless, endless woe
For you, the “narrow road” God prearranged (Matthew 7)
Although this road will lose you friends, with Christ you’ll ne’er be friendless, no!
Cling close by prayer and you’ll not be estranged
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(This poem inspired by this teaching: “Christ is the head of the home, the unseen guest of every meal, the silent listener to every conversation.” -anonymous)
*The Risen Christ, the unseen head of every Christian home
And head of every parish home where Christians gather weekly
He’ll welcome back all members if they scatter, flee or roam
As did the Father for his pig-styed son who crawled home meeklyThe Risen Christ, the unseen guest of every family meal
He sits at tables flowing over or endowed quite humbly
Inspiring all the rich to share their excess with great zeal
While knowing that they’re feeding Christ by filling tummies grumblyThe Risen Christ, the unseen list’ner to each conversation
May all our words and topics give Him gladness not heart-ache
He laughs and cries with us as we out pour our tribulation
Let gossip never pass our lips, but kind words for His sakeThe Risen Christ, the unseen God ‘neath every Catholic steeple
Appearing as plain bread and wine transformed into His Presence
He veils Himself so humbly to transform His haughty people
Who visit Him and feed on Him! Both wealthy folk and peasants“And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.” (Hebrews 4:13 ESV)
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The greatest trick in history: a Man was scourged and killed
Then rose again in victory! But not all men were thrilled
The dark one thought he tricked the Light and snuffed Him with a tree
Out-tricking him, He shines eternallyThe evils that he’d wrought through lies, which Eve and Adam bought
Were caught and slain by Mary’s “yes”, which Jesus to us brought
By dying, Christ destroyed our death! The epic war to win
To Christ we’ll cling, lest we be led to sin -
Go! Live for the Lord
You’ll never be bored
Let’s make Christ adored
His joy you won’t hoard
His love shouldn’t be stored
It must be out-poured
It’s not an award
A thing to be “scored”
Christ can’t be ignored
When His Word’s explored
It is a true Sword
False “faith” leaves you “snored”
My soul, Christ will ward
From Satan’s foul horde
I cannot afford
To not live for the Lord -
Now, somewhere there’s a Father
Whose Arms reach down to hold you
You feel them when your loved ones
With hearty hugs enfold youYes, somewhere there’s a Father
Who speaks to lead and guide thee
His words ring out when others
With wisdom true provide theeFor somewhere there’s a Father
Whose gaze of love protects you
His Holy Spir’t empow’rs you
And to His Son connects youWithin your heart, a Father
And Son Who strives to save thee
Your burdens He will carry
And on His Heart engrave thee -
Don’t neglect the vital truth:
Heaven’s real and so is hell
But Christ gives all both old and youth
His Grace to save, their fears to quellDon’t forget this sob’ring fact:
Heaven’s real and so is hell
Our God helps all to stay on track
But through Heav’ns gates He won’t compelDon’t deny reality:
Heaven’s real and so is hell
But hell was never meant for thee
So don’t allow your pride to swellDon’t ignore God’s call: “Repent”
Heaven’s real and so is hell
The Savior, Jesus Christ, God sent
Invite Him in your heart to dwell -
Oh Jesus, I can love You, Lord, because You “first loved me” (1 John)
Before earth’s birth You dreamed me up; what wondrous mystery! (Ephesians 1:4)
Lord Jesus, I desire You, but I know that it’s true
That You desire me MUCH more than I desire You!I thirst for You, but I’m aware You thirst for just “one look” (Song of Songs)
You pine for me much like a deer that seeks the bubbling brook (Psalm 42)
Christ Jesus, my own heart I give to You, as my reply
To You Who first gave Yours to me when You, for me, did die -
The hope that Christ offers is like cantelope [Ephesians 5:2; Psalm 19:10]
It’s sweet! Plus refreshing like icy mint Scope
The horoscope’s bunk! You’re at end of your rope?
Meet Christ in His Word! He’s your true Philanthrope [1 Peter 1:3-6]To blossom your hope is the hope of this trope:
A heart cleansed with hope’s like a dish cleansed with soap
Please “never say never”! There’s ALWAYS a hope [Colossians 1:27]
Why else would God give us so hopeful a Pope?The devil’s fat lies grease hell’s slippery slope [John 8:44]
He leads you to think you’re a hopeless, dumb dope
Repel him! Compel him to hell: tell him, “Nope!” [James 4:7]
“At baptism, God with my soul did elope!” [2 Corinthians 11:2]If tempted to gossip, to lust, or to “tope” [drink to excess]
Cry, “Christ be my light!”; in the dark you’ll not grope [John 8:12]
He’ll help you to thrive, friend! not merely to cope [John 10:10]
He’ll sprint to you – “Hark!” – like a young antelope [cf. Song of Songs][A prayer for Star Wars fans: “Help me Jesus Christ my Savior; You’re my only Hope!” May Carrie Fisher rest in peace and rise in glory]
Rhymes for the Rejoiceful 