An Orphan Lass

In a bit of shady forest
On a cold November morn
Trod two tired collies and
Their mistress all forlorn.

Her downcast eyes were sad to see
As I watched her pass me near
Naught could she see, for her eyes
Were blinded by her tears.

The Plague had left her orphaned
For it took her parents dear
The neighbors, they had burned her house
Lest sickness be too near.

Not a soul would take her in
For she'd be one too many
And no one on her weary road
Could spare for her a penny.

Now in this bit of forest was
A chapel, all in shambles
Overgrown with weeds and moss
And hidden by the brambles.

'Twas there my little lady came
To lay her weary head
Before she closed her eyes in sleep
Two last sorry tears were shed.

I hopped upon a branch above,
Cooing softly all the while
And the collies kept their vigil o'er
The precious little child.

The sun, she sank into the West
And rose again the morn
Upon the little sleeper dear
Who wakened nevermore.

The Light of Your Eyes

Everyone is born with a wonderful light in their eyes; innocent... lively... enthused... intrigued... sincere. That is why the eyes of babies and children are so beautiful to see: this light shines so brightly in them. The storms of life threaten to, and in most cases do, extinguish that light so that by the time one becomes an 'adult,' all that can be seen in them is a dull jadedness, or worse, a sullen darkness. Remember that light, and try to keep it burning until death! For it is the true Life in you...

What is Asked of Us

God does not ask anything of us which He has not already given each of us perfectly.

Already, He has endured our offenses and forgiven us countless times; He asks us to do the same for our neighbor.

Already, He has loved us even to His cruel death and beyond; He asks us to do the same.

Already, the God of gods and Lord of lords has put us, His lowly creatures who deserve nothing, before Himself and does all to save us from ourselves; He asks us to do the same.

Remember the story of the debtor who was forgiven much, but refused to forgive the little he was owed by another. Just was his punishment, although perhaps it was in the name of justice that he mercilessly sought after the man who owed him.

Our Lord has gone before us in everything; let us look to Him to help us mend our ways and become perfect, as our Father is!

On the Eve of My Wedding...

 

Love Creating

Future looming or unfolding,

The Great Unknown, shall it we fear?

The path that lies before us waiting

Calls for unity sincere.

Set we forth with trepidation?

Nay, for God be with us e'er,

And helpmate loving, kind and patient

'Bides through winds both foul and fair.

Two no more, but one together,

Of self to never take account,

And with no Purpose but the Other,

To love, and ne'er a moment doubt.

One love making, life creating;

A sacred mystery is this:

Shrouded fast by arms enclosing,

 Embrace of lovers, married bliss.

Subtle, and yet unrelenting,

Against this Purpose doth arise

Selfishness and lust is brewing,

Slowly pois'ning sacred ties.

For if Love's Fruit finds no reception,

And Pleasure dreads that love be born,

The act of “love” is but confection;

A fall 'mid tears to union torn.

But let Love triumph, pure and faithful;

Thus sacrifice of self we'll taste,

Find bliss in giving, loving truly,

Let Love both now and e'er be chaste.

Marriage

"The sacrament of marriage is not simply a contract with holy water on it," Fr. Anthony Rice declared from the pulpit. It is more than a contract, more than a relationship; it is a vocation to which a man and a woman dedicate every moment of the rest of their life. There is a goal, an end to marriage for which they strive.

Let us become one flesh, we who are already one in heart! May my life be a worthy gift unto the Lord, by giving myself to thee!

A Kiss

A kiss is what couples give each other when the power of speech fails to communicate the overwhelming love they have for one another. Thus, in their silence, they speak their love even more profoundly.

Virtue

Every good deed you do is the building up of good habit, or as can also be said, the practice of the perfection of virtue.

In Omne Tempore, Gaudete!

"I will bless the Lord at all times...."

Christians, let not even the deepest of troubles or darkest of times cause us to be sad. Should we not always rejoice? The reason for Christian joy, our joy, is unchanging, whatever may happen to us. And what reason is this? Christus surrexit, alleluia! Heaven is open to us! We are sons! We are saved! Joy to conquer all is given us. Life, with all its sorrows and trials, is but the journey that brings us to eternal happiness. Remember this, and you cannot despair.

"....but have confidence, for I have overcome the world...." (John 16:33)