The Lord is my Shepherd

Photo Credit: cofinisrael.com

BLESSED AT THE 

MOUNT OF BEATITUDES

Israel Pilgrimage—1986

At the Mount of Beatitudes

Wayne^[1] suggests we each find

a quiet spot to spend

time alone with God

so I stroll along a pathway

surrounding the church

built in the name of

the Lord’s great message

to the multitudes

In a few moments I hear baa baaing

and follow the sound to the top of a hill

with sheep and a shepherd in view below

I sit on a low wall

to watch and carefully listen

for the voice of my Shepherd

amid plaintive bleating

I, too, am one of His sheep

I, too, have things to tell him

and don’t want to miss

anything He might have to say

This is communion—

a lamb with her Shepherd

I bask awhile in sweet serenity

aware of a holy presence

as the sheep graze

and the shepherd, like Jesus

carefully tends his flock

Afterward, we pilgrims come together—

No one else heard the sheep

No one saw the shepherd

The interlude was for me alone

a gift from my God—

a simple blessing

to one little lamb He loves

Maude Carolan Pych

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[1] Wayne Monbleau—Pilgrimage leader and host of “Let’s Talk About Jesus” radio program.

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Beginning Ash Wednesday

I will post A-Poem-a-Day during Lent

Pass the word

There's Power in God's Word

Photo Credit: pravmir.com

THy WORD…and my words

It seems quite strange that I, so small

write words about the Lord of All

Who is the Sovereign One, the Word.

Perhaps it even seems absurd

mere words aspire to give praise

to God, Who’s appointed all my days;

by Whose Word came the earth and sky,

trees and flowers and birds that fly.

He said, “Seas” and the oceans filled;

He spoke mountains, valleys, hills.

He spoke existence to the nations;

by His Word came our salvation.

The Word once spoke me into being—

gave flesh and breath, eyes for seeing.

My next breath He can give or take—

I’m here to serve Him for His sake.

My simple words and simple poems

flow with love for all I owe Him,

since re-birth when my heart was stirred

by the Holy One Made Flesh, the Word.

God’s Word is Power; my words weak;

creation happens when He speaks.

My words just thank and pray and praise

to laud the Author of my days—

to laud the Author of my days.

Maude Carolan Pych

Enjoy Some Serenity...

Photo credit: westonpriory.org

SERENITY

Plainsong at Vespers

sung by a handful 
of Episcopalian sisters

in a little convent chapel 
in New Jersey,

whisked me back a few decades

to a summer weekend

at Weston Priory in Vermont,

to celebrate 
the Feast of St. Benedict;

whisked me back to 
my Catholic Charismatic days,

when I was willing 

to travel anywhere

to participate in vibrant 

congregational worship.

At the priory

I witnessed what many never see,

monks dancing in a circle,

their slow, graceful sweeps

billowing white hooded frocks

in the gentle breeze.

They sang fresh, mellow songs

that were wending their way

into contemporary liturgies.

The monks invited a few of us

to join their sunrise worship.

We quietly gathered in a rude garret

with a wide many-paned window

that offered pre-dawn darkness.

Sitting upon pillows strewn on the floor,

we melded with the stillness.

One by one the Benedictines entered

with their prayer books

and sat meditatively.

After a time

they softly read Scripture,

prayed, and chanted mellifluous praise.

Suddenly, a brown field mouse

scampered among us,

flitting betwixt and between.

No one stirred at all.

Beyond the panes

blackness gave way

to the rising sun;

streams of warm glow

dissolved the morning mist

above a placid pond.

Splashes of magenta and lavender

petunias drenched in dew

emerged at water's edge.

Maude Carolan

I Have Wonderful News to Share...

Photo Credit: quotesgram.com

 WONDERFUL NEWS

I have to share the most wonderful news with those I love most in this world.

The news I have is more precious, by far, than diamonds or rubies or gold.

There was an enormous void in my life. “Is this all there is?” I would ask.

I searched far to find some meaning in life. It seemed an unknowable task.

One day someone shared the Gospel with me, and I learned that Jesus is real.

I prayed to invite Him into my heart and was filled with astonishing zeal!

The day that He gave His life on the Cross, to save all mankind from our sin,

He opened to us salvation by grace; life eternal, the prize that we win.

You know that I share the best that I have with my cherished family and friends,

so listen, dear one, to this wonderful news upon which ever-after depends.

Just open your Bible to the Gospel of John, third chapter, verse number three,

then read of God’s love in the sixteenth verse to learn what has happened to me.

Some people grow up with Bible in hand, without Jesus burning in heart,

some haven’t explored the true meaning of life, some wouldn’t know where to start.

Whether you’re Protestant, Jewish, my friend, Catholic, Muslim, atheist,

my news is for you and all who will hear, who long to receive of God’s best.

You needn’t become a fanatic or prude, I’ve no list of do nots and dos.

God’s Spirit will teach you all you need know. The offer’s too good to refuse.

Although tribulation may take you by storm and trials may bring a hard test,

God’s greater, He’s faithful, He’ll bring you through to victory. You’ll shine in His rest.

This can be the greatest day of your life, the day you receive the New Birth.

This can be the day you begin to know why we’re the happiest people on earth.

Like me, you will yearn to share the Good News with all of the people you love.

Like me, you will want all those you meet to be touched by our Great God above.

Maude Carolan Pych