This month I call you Saviour.

Mostly, instinctively
I call to you as Lord-God and Father.
Typically these are the names
I call to mind at early dawn.

But this month you are Saviour
as I become more acutely drawn
to my need to call on your saving grace
on your sacrificial willingness
to cast off the trappings
wrapped up with heavenly glory
to embrace the blood and the mess
that comes with small town nativity.

This month I address
my Hosannas to you,
my divine infant Saviour.

So often I fall into sin. More often than not, it's the same one or two. I fall down again and again and it's hard to not get discouraged. I heard a beautiful song today that said "a saint is just a sinner who fell down... and got back up again. There are good days, weary days and bad days, but in the end the good days outweigh the bad days and so I won't complain". To me, it's a simple and beautiful reminder of something we all too often forget. In a contemplation from St. Thomas Merton, it said that hell is hatred and it's a hatred not of other, but of what we know others see in ourselves. It is the "curse of shattered sight". (A secular TV reference, but well applicable for these purposes). Sin is a symptom of this shattered sight as well. It is a desire for the good, but the good is twisted and distorted and we are caught in the trap of "looking for love in all the wrong places". We see the worst things that other people see in us and fail to see the good. We end up turning against each other and destroying ourselves. The love that satisfies and fulfills is the love of God for us, his beloved children. He loves us and accepts us for who we are: good, bad, shattered sight and all and he sent His only son to die for us when we were his foe. How great is the Father's love for us! To be truly free, we must admit to ourselves that we are imperfect, and we make mistakes. Even when we ***** up pretty bad, good family and friends still love us, accept us, encourage and challenge us to move forward and keep doing better. If there are those like us who can do that, then surely God, in his perfection, will do that all the more! Accept yourself fully and embrace all of who you are. We cannot truly love others or be loved by others if we don't love ourselves. Next time you fall, remember: Jesus fell (in love) for you, and he fell three times (out of the fullness of love) for you, and got back up again.

Lord Jesus, please grant us the strength and grace to get up again when we fall down. Help us accept and love ourselves without condition as you first did for us. By your grace and mercy, heal us from this shattered sight in accordance with your will and may we find comfort and solace by your side in the shadow of the cross. Amen.

At this moment Lord, I am feeling a little uncomfortable, a little irritable, a little restless. It's not bad, but it certainly isn't pleasant, and I don't know just why. So, Lord, I ask for peace. I ask that you make it go away for I know that you are able, but if it is not your will Lord, help me offer this up for the salvation of souls and that you would ease someone else's discomfort. I unite this moment to the moments when you were also distressed. I offer these prayers and this feeling not for myself, but for the many others who, at this very moment, are in far greater need of your comfort and peace than I.

Lord come to our aid: in your mercy help us

Hear us when we cry out to you Oh Lord
Though we sail the sea of faith
We are buffeted by the trials of life
Tossed about by waves and wind
Lord come to our aid: in your mercy help us

Protect us from danger and grant us peace
Watch over us in our waking and our sleep
Help us remain ever vigilant in our watch
That not one lamb may find itself lost
Lord come to our aid: in your mercy help us

We know you hear our prayers Oh God
For you are good and gracious indeed
You hear the cries of your beloved children
Oh Lord, come swiftly in our time of need
Lord come to our aid: in your mercy help us

When troubles come and hard times assail
Remind us that evil will never prevail
You overcame the world so we shall not fear
Nor, for anything, want as long as you are near
Lord come to our aid: in your mercy help us

You consecrate our lives in your blessed truth
In your compassion fill all of our youth
With love for you and the world outside
Shine your light upon us, your face do not hide
Lord come to our aid: in your mercy help us

Every good thing, Lord, comes
Every good thing comes from you
Every day is showered in blessings
Every morning your graces are new
Every night you watch over us
Lord, keep us safe from harm
Every thing I have is from you
Every thing I am is who you are
Every beat of my heart beats for you
Without your love I fall apart
So when life is only clouds and rain
And all I can feel is sorrow and pain
Give me the eyes to see your rainbow
Give me hope and help me to grow
For, in the ultimate act of derision
Came a far more perfect vision
You took the cross designed for shame
And made a bridge out of the same
In death you destroyed sin and death
And in the span of the very next breath
You restored us to life and made all things new
For, every good thing Lord, comes from you

here i am
holding on
to relics of your love
after all
i was born
to be on my knees
in worship,
searching for salvation
devoting my life
to the scent
of your skin
the trace of your fingers
the memory
of your mouth on mine
and i know now
i would face
all nine levels of hell
just to hear
my name leave your lips
as feverant as prayer
once more.

May the spirit of God be with you
All the days of your life
May the spirit of life and of love
Shine bright in your heart
May the spirit of giving and charity
Help you find some clarity
May the spirit of firm believing
Also help you in receiving
May the spirit of truth and grace
Be seen by all who look upon your face
May the spirit that is ever faithful
Help you always in being grateful
May the spirit of wisdom and prudence
Guide your thoughts and sense
May the spirit of endless joy
Be yours forever to enjoy
May the spirit of glory and power
Keep you safe in darkest hour
May the spirit's Holy Essence
Be for always ever present
May the spirit of life-giving spring
Renew and refresh every thing
May the spirit lead that you would follow
Where the demons cannot go
May the spirit lift you up to the sky
Spread your wings and learn to fly
May the spirit fill you with courage
If you fall, rise again! Do not discourage
May the spirit be a companion and friend
Always by your side unto the very end
May the spirit of the Lord so bless
That He is more and we are less
May the spirit of the Lord help us be
Closer to Him and farther from me
May the spirit of silence settle down
And a blanket of peace surround
May the spirit of God take you ever higher
And grant you the soul's deepest desire

Listen to the Lord in the silence of your heart
Be still and know that He is God and King
The Author Creator Sustainer of Everything
Be filled with His presence in every breath you take
Know that He is with you in every choice you make
To know Him is to love Him to love Him is to see the light
To listen to Him is to hear the words of everlasting life
May the peace of the Lord shine upon your face
And may you walk forever in the light of His grace

Amen

Have mercy on our souls Oh God
Your faithfulness and love go on forever
Turn our hearts back home to you Oh Lord
Hear us as we fervently pray
For healing and peace upon this scarred earth
For righteousness and justice to flourish
For wisdom and understanding above all
Restore our hearts and heal our lands
For, great is the love that flowed from your hands
You have blessed me with a gift: help me use it well
I am moved and touched, and my soul will dwell
In the house of the Lord all the days of my life
Have mercy on us and on the whole world
Amen

Lord, how I wish I was comfortable enough and at ease enough to fall asleep wrapped in your loving arms. Help me offer up this sleeplessness and place it at your feet. The only light I have are some candles' soft and tender glow. They dance and sway when the spirit blows. Sing a sweet lullaby over me that I may dream such happy dreams. Grant, Oh Lord, that I may live until the morning light. Keep me safe through many a perilous plight. By your right hand you deliver me from my foes and out of danger. You protect me, Oh God, from the snare of the stranger. You lead me by still waters where the grass is lush and green, I am never left wanting and times are never lean. Help me find rest in the shadow of your wings. Help me find the joy that only knowing you brings. By your grace, let me experience this gift of profoundest peace and, in your mercy, grant me sleep's sweetest release!
Amen