Just to be with you, just to be with you
Just to be with you would make all my dreams come true
I make my home with you closer to your heart
Because I wanna be right where you are
I'll live every moment with love and devotion
I'll pour out my soul bursting with emotion
Just to be with you, just to be with you
Just to be with you would make all my dreams come true
I could spend eternity just sitting at your feet
The smile on your face makes my joy complete
My days are filled with longing
My nights are filled with dreams
I am searching for a belonging
But it's not as easy as it seems
Just to be with you, just to be with you
Just to be with you would make all my dreams come true
No tongue could confess, nor song express
The greatness you possess
No heavenly choir could e're inspire
And better stoke a holy desire
Than to see your face and know such grace
Such a kindness feels out of place
Just to be with you, just to be with you
Just to be with you would make all my dreams come true
To spend one day in paradise
Would be worth all the heartache and pain
If not a day, just an hour'd be nice
Or even one second, I wouldn't complain
Just to be with you, just to be with you
Just to be with you would make all my dreams come true

In the deepest depths of darkness,
In the searing searching of the soul
In this cavern we are now aware
That we are naked and made bare
The air is still, it's as silent as a tomb
Our lives are reflected in this room
In the darkness, we must find our peace
Through the silence, the Lord, speaks
The soul, it knows, such darkness
But in the darkness, there also, is light
Under pressure, darkness and cold
Forms a beauteous sight to behold
For, deep within the soul's mine
Are diamonds that sparkle and shine
The soul of man is a mighty mystery
With great potential and storied history
To self-reflect, to dive inward to reach out
To be so fragile, and yet, so stout
To long and feel, to love and create
To sing and dance and associate

Not all that is dark is evil
Or leads to deadly sleep
Some is soft and gentle
A place to hide and be safe
Not all that glitters and gleams
Is always exactly as it seems
So, keep your wits about you
That you may follow what is true

No power on earth is greater
Than the heart of the truest believer
If you truly believe it
That you have received it
It will be yours indeed
True: there may be times
When what we want
Is not what we need
"If I have someone who believes in me, I can move mountains" (Diana Ross)
"There can be miracles when you believe" (Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey)
If we believe that God is all powerful
Then why do we doubt that he can take away our cancer?
If we subscribe to the belief that He rose from the dead,
How can we doubt that He isn't truly in the Eucharist?
"For those who believe/have Faith, no explanation is necessary
For those who don't believe/don't have Faith, no explanation will suffice" (Thomas Aquinas)
Belief in someone or something can grant strength
We can do the impossible, we can change the world
We can turn this nation around if, together, we believe
There is wisdom in a child's innocence
In a world so full of potential
Anything can happen where we can just be
The dreamers the believers and me
If you believe it, you can dream it
If you can dream it, you can do it
Deep down inside, you know it's true
The Heart of the Truest Believer lies in YOU

This is the most good, this is the better part
To sit and listen with mind and soul and heart
Sit at the feet of Jesus, let your troubles melt away
To be so close and hang on every word they say
There is a time for serving, for preparing fresh bread
But it is the words of Christ, by which our souls are fed
Sometimes what is hardest is what we most need
I worry, I fret, often times I think too much
And, consequently, I think I'm losing touch
With the whole point of this exercise
Getting distracted, I lose sight of the prize
Often, God speaks so others may be filled
Sometimes, my presence, is what he has willed

I struggle to sit still where thoughts run wild
Lord, please come and hold your precious child
My heart is restless Lord, help me rest in you
And help me live my days in spirit and in truth

Amen

Wisdom is a gift from God perhaps it is the Holy Spirit. It leads us down the correct path and guides our steps if we would listen to wisdom and prudence. Reflection of this passage to me parallels somewhat, in the Catholic Tradition, Mary's prayer and life.

"Reflecting on these things and considering them in my heart" (v. 17) At the birth of Jesus in Luke 2: 19-20 "And Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart".

"Now, I was a well-favored child, and I came by a noble nature; or rather, being noble, I attained an unblemished body". (v. 19-20) By grace and the overshadowing of the Holy Spirit, Jesus was conceived and Mary, herself, was immaculate (free from sin). When the angel Gabriel announces to Mary that she will bear a son, and she is troubled, he says "do not be afraid, for you have found favor with God" (Luke 1: 30-31) it is the gift of God the Holy Spirit without which this would have been impossible.

Mary "sought the Lord and prayed with all her heart" (v. 21) what we know to be the Magnificat in the Catholic Tradition. "My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for He has looked with favor on his lowly servant. From this day, all generations will call me blessed for the Almighty has done great things for me and holy is his Name..." (Luke 1: 46-49)

Lord, thank you for the Holy Spirit. Thank you for your wisdom, prudence, and your love. We give you thanks and praise, for you have blessed us and we are "Highly Favored". Help us to be truly wise and may we always be mindful and appreciative of the gift that you have given each of us. You were and you are the spotless lamb, the unblemished sacrifice to atone for our sins and unite us to yourself once more. By your grace, Oh Lord, help us to grow in holiness that we would be ever more in communion with you and with each other. Amen.

No greater love than this:
To lay down one's life for another
No greater charity than this:
Humbly serving your sister and brother
Where charity and love are, God is also found
In grace and mercy, your heads are crowned
Care for the sick and comfort the weeping
Give generously to those in your keeping
Bring peace to the dying and lift up the low
And the Lord will be with you wherever you go
Bring Christ to all the world
In all you do, BE Christ for others
Charity and love are intertwined
For love is putting the other before yourself
And by serving humbly, love may be expressed
In this exchange, both parties are blessed
Through love and charity may you live in joy
For you are third in this simple key:

Jesus First
Others Second
Yourself (that's Me)

Put it together and what have you got?
J O Y

Stay JOYfull my friends!

You love me with the greatest devotion
And, as I wonder, I'm struck by the notion
I can run, but I can't hide
You won't ever leave my side
I can push you and I can fight
But I won't ever leave your sight
So, Lord, won't you carry me
Hold me in your arms, enfold me in your peace
Hold me close and don't let me go
Oh Lord, come carry me
I saw you walk beside me
When the sun shone in the sky
But I couldn't find you in the pain
So, I shook my fist and asked "Why?!"
In these lowest times I still made it through
So, it seems to me, I didn't need you
Looking back, I realize I was very wrong
You were there carrying me all along
It's your love that lifts me up
It's your peace that fills my cup
It's your truth that gives me wings
It's your joy that makes my heart sing
Grant me courage, grant me strength
And I can go to any length
In your arms I'll always know
That I'll be safe from any foe
You raise me up to more than I can be
Oh Lord My God, come and carry me