WORDS OF JESUS

What are you looking for?
Come and you will see.

This is the work of God.
That you trust in the one He sent.

If you are thirsty come to me.
Out of you will flow rivers of living water.

If you follow me you will not be in the dark.
You will have the light of life.

Make my word your home.

Unless I wash you,
You have nothing in common with me.

Whoever receives the one I send, receives me.
Whoever receives me, receives the one who sent me.

Don’t let your heart be troubled.
Trust in God. Trust also in me.

Peace I leave you.
My peace I give you.

The world will not see me.
You will see me.

I am the vine, you are the branches.
Remain in me and you will bear much fruit.
Apart from me you can do nothing.

As the Father loves me, I love you.
Live in my love.

I want you to have my joy to the full.

This is my command,
Love one another.

You will have trouble, but take courage.
I have overcome the world.

Receive my Holy Breath.

Blessed are those who do not see,
But trust.

Do you love me?
Feed my sheep.

Don’t worry about him.
You follow me.

The words of Jesus found in the Gospel of John.
Initial version from Fr. Vince Hovley, S.J. at
Sacred Heart Retreat Center

BLESSING AT BIRTH

May you come to know the Christian faith as everyday language, where grace is a tangible reality, and where love is known as the beginning and the end.

May you come to know the story of God’s love through the stories of Scripture and the lives of your parents, family, and faith community.

May you come to know the value of prayer as you listen for God’s voice and look for His lead.

May you come to have a foundation of the faith that allows you to discover and develop your own deeply held belief and relationship with God.

May you always know that you as a child of God; that you are His child before anyone else.

May your parents care for you, love you, guide you, and walk beside you through your journey of life and faith from this day until their last.

May you live a life of blessing in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

I TOOK A LIFE TODAY

I took a life today.
I fantasized all summer about
Killing.

I took my anger
My rage
Beat out the life and
Breath.

As I rolled the corpse
I saw a stump
A squirrel
With three legs.

It was
Me
Broken
Trapped
Beaten.

It curled up
Peaceful as it fell
Off the shovel
Into the black
Of the garbage can. 

Bitter cold hands
Numb from killing
Holding a cigarette.

No sun
Only gray
And dying
Today.

Jared Ray Mackey