Poets & Saints

Scripture: Ephesians 5:8-9 (NRSVUE) — “For once you were darkness, but now in the Lord you are light. Live as children of light; for the fruit of the light is found in all that is good and right and true.” Refrain: I turn toward the light and walk in grace. Quote: Wendell Berry: “It may be that when we no longer know what to do we have come to our real work, and that when we no longer know which...

Scripture: Luke 22:42 (NRSVUE) — “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me; yet, not my will but yours be done.” Refrain: I surrender into love. Quote: Thomas Merton: “My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going. I do not see the road ahead of me. I cannot know for certain where it will end. But I believe that the desire to please you does in fact please you. I hope I have that desire...

Scripture: Isaiah 30:15 (NRSVUE) — “For thus said the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel: In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength.” Refrain: In stillness, I remember who I am. Quote: Thomas Keating: “Silence is God’s first language; everything else is a poor translation. In the silence of the heart, God speaks more than words—She is not limited to s...

Scripture: Matthew 11:28 (NRSVUE) — “Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” Refrain: I release what no longer brings life. Quote: Rainer Maria Rilke: “I am circling around God, around the ancient tower, and I have been circling for thousands of years, and I still don’t know if I am a falcon, or a storm, or a great song. All that matters is tha...

Scripture: Lamentations 3:22-23 (NRSVUE) — The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. Refrain: Grace meets me in the new beginning. Quote: Jan Richardson “Still, this blessing comes— a quiet breath, a gentle nudge, a hand placed lightly at the small of your back as you move toward what is waiting for you. T...

Scripture   2 Corinthians 3:18 (NRSVUE)    And all of us, with unveiled faces,   seeing the glory of the Lord as though reflected in a mirror,   are being transformed into the same image   from one degree of glory to another;   for this comes from the Lord, the Spirit. Refrain   I become what I behold in love. Quote / Poem ...

Romans 12:5 (NRSVUE)    So we, who are many, are one body in Christ,   and individually we are members one of another. Refrain   I was made to belong. Quote / Poem   Jean Vanier    “Community is a place of belonging,   a place of vulnerability and trust,   a place where each person’s gift   can be revealed and shared.&...

Scripture   John 20:27 (NRSVUE)    Then he said to Thomas,   “Put your finger here and see my hands.   Reach out your hand and put it in my side.   Do not doubt but believe.” Refrain   Even in my wounds, I am becoming whole. Quote / Poem   Wendell Berry    “Even in the dark,   the hand may be held, &nbsp...

Scripture   Matthew 11:29 (NRSVUE)    Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me,   for I am gentle and humble in heart,   and you will find rest for your souls. Refrain   I open my heart to gentleness. Quote / Poem   Macrina Wiederkehr    “I will believe the truth about myself   no matter how beautiful it is. &nbsp...

Scripture   Colossians 3:3 (NRSVUE)    For you have died,   and your life is hidden with Christ in God. Refrain   I am held in the mystery of who I truly am. Quote / Poem   Henri Nouwen    “Spiritual identity means we are not what we do,   not what we have,   not what others say about us.   We are the beloved...

Scripture   Micah 6:8 (NRSVUE)    He has told you, O mortal, what is good;   and what does the Lord require of you   but to do justice, and to love kindness,   and to walk humbly with your God? Refrain   God leads me in simplicity and peace. Quote / Poem   Simone Weil    “Simplicity is the sign of the divine. &nbs...

Scripture   Psalm 42:1 (NRSVUE)    As a deer longs for flowing streams,   so my soul longs for you, O God. Refrain   My longing is a prayer. Quote / Poem   Kahlil Gibran    “It is the desire in your heart that is your guide.   And though you may not always find what you seek,   your longing will lead you.   T...

Scripture   Matthew 6:11 (NRSVUE)    Give us this day our daily bread. Refrain   In bread and breath, God is near. Quote / Poem   Barbara Brown Taylor    “The practice of wearing skin,   of touching and tasting and smelling your way toward the Holy—   this is the invitation.   Earth is so thick with divine possibility&...

Scripture   Zechariah 4:10 (NLT)    Do not despise these small beginnings,   for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin... Refrain   God is in the small and the slow. Quote / Poem   Mary Oliver    “Instructions for living a life:   Pay attention.   Be astonished.   Tell about it.   To see a world i...

Scripture   Exodus 3:5 (NRSVUE)    Then he said,   “Come no closer!   Remove the sandals from your feet,   for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.” Refrain   This moment is holy ground. Quote / Poem   Brother Lawrence    “We should establish ourselves in a sense of God’s presence   by continua...

Scripture   Philippians 4:11 (NRSVUE)    Not that I am referring to being in need,   for I have learned to be content   with whatever I have. Refrain   This moment is enough. God is enough. Quote / Poem   Mary Oliver    “I don’t want to end up simply having visited this world.   I want to walk slowly through the fields...

Scripture   John 13:34 (NRSVUE)    I give you a new commandment,   that you love one another.   Just as I have loved you,   you also should love one another. Refrain   Love is the path. Love is the way. Quote / Poem   St. Teresa of Avila    “The important thing is not to think much,   but to love much; &...

Scripture   Psalm 139:7–10 (NRSVUE)    Where can I go from your spirit?   Or where can I flee from your presence?   If I ascend to heaven, you are there;   if I make my bed in Sheol, you are there.   If I take the wings of the morning   and settle at the farthest limits of the sea,   even there your hand shall lead me,...

Scripture   2 Corinthians 3:16 (NRSVUE)    But when one turns to the Lord,   the veil is removed. Refrain   Let me see with the eyes of my soul. Quote / Poem   Madeleine L’Engle    “Faith is for that which lies on the other side of reason.   Faith is what makes life bearable,   with all its tragedies and ambiguities&nb...

Scripture   Proverbs 3:5 (NRSVUE)    Trust in the Lord with all your heart,   and do not rely on your own insight. Refrain   I lean not on what I see, but who You are. Quote / Poem   Thomas R. Kelly    “Faith is not a speculation,   but a venture.   It is not an inference from the facts around us,   but a gra...

Scripture   Galatians 5:1 (NRSVUE)    For freedom Christ has set us free.   Stand firm, therefore,   and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery. Refrain   I am free to live in love. Quote / Poem   John O’Donohue    “May you awaken to the mystery of being here   and enter the quiet immensity of your own presence.&nbsp...

Scripture   Romans 2:4 (NRSVUE)    Do you not realize that God’s kindness   is meant to lead you to repentance? Refrain   I turn, and Love meets me there. Quote / Poem   James Finley    “Repentance is the interior posture   of one who is willing to be undone by love—   to surrender all that is not yet free  ...

Scripture   Philippians 1:6 (NIV)    Being confident of this,   that he who began a good work in you   will carry it on to completion   until the day of Christ Jesus. Refrain   Grace meets me in the middle. Quote / Poem   Rabindranath Tagore    “If you cry because the sun has gone out of your life,   your tea...

Scripture   Psalm 46:5 (NRSVUE)    God is in the midst of the city;   it shall not be moved;   God will help it when the morning dawns. Refrain   Even now, the center holds. Quote / Poem   Thomas Merton    “There is in all visible things   an invisible fecundity,   a dimmed light,   a hidden wholene...

Scripture   Joel 2:13 (NRSVUE)    Return to the Lord, your God,   for he is gracious and merciful,   slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love,   and relents from punishing. Refrain   I am always welcome in Love. Quote / Poem   Henri Nouwen    “The return to the Father is ultimately the challenge   to le...