Day 9 + 40 Days of Mercy + + +

There was once a prophet Micah, (as told about in the Hebrew scriptures), who had much to say to the political, religious, and business leaders in positions of power. He chastised them for their greed, corruption, dishonesty, oppression of the poor, and neglect for God’s ways.

Here’s just one bit of what he said:

“Alas for those who devise wickedness and evil deeds on their beds!
When the morning dawns, they perform it, because it is in their power.
They covet fields, and seize them; houses, and take them away;
they oppress householder and house, people and their inheritance. . .”
(Micah 2:1-2)

Then Micah challenges the leaders to return to God’s way
with these words that we often quote:

“He has told you, O mortal, what is good;
and what does the Lord require of you
but to do justice, and to love mercy,
and to walk humbly with your God?”
(Micah 6:8)

“Justice” is about fairness and equality for all.
This “mercy” is about acting with loving kindness.
“Walking humbly” is in contrast to those who act
in arrogance without acknowledging God’s help.

Dear people ~
In this season of Lent + these 40 Days of Mercy,
may we seek to do what the Lord requires of us . . .
To balance our desire for justice with acts of mercy . . .

Let us pray for those in positions of power
that they may have compassion for the oppressed
and choose:

Grace over greed
Faith over fear
Love over hate

and walk humbly with our God of Grace.

Anna Lin +

Image is from Repairers of the Breach on Facebook

Gracious Wisdom

“Somehow I feel sure that the most direct route to religious experience is to ask for the grace to give, to share, to console another, to bandage a hurting wound, to lift a fallen human spirit, to mend a quarrel, to search out a forgotten friend, to dismiss a suspicion and replace it with trust, to encourage someone who has lost faith, to let someone who feels helpless do a favor for me, to keep a promise, to bury an old grudge, to reduce my demands on others, to fight for a principle, to express gratitude, to overcome a fear, to appreciate the beauty of nature, to tell others I love them, and then to tell them again.”

– John Powell, S.J.
in Through Seasons of the Heart

Photo on Pinterest

With Soft Petals Falling

With soft petals falling
I behold the wonder of Your Beauty
on this glorious day,
my Gracious God.

The Blessing of Your Presence
comes to sing within my heart.

In gratitude I bow
to honor all that’s given to me ~

and rise to live in faith
that Life lives on.

~ Anna Lin
Photo at: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/289989663482414530/

 

Timeless Honor And Blessing Come Your Way

 

 

Timeless honor and blessing come your way
to lead you forth into the glorious Light;
Your hand is grasped by spirit power,
to guide you into heights of grandest praise.

You will not know the exactness of your life,
It is to trust that you are called each day.
Keep close to Jesus as the weeks move on;
It is for knowing Him your heart does crave.

Renewed in faith ~ the days come into being
as Holy Presence fills your heart and soul;
‘Tis all that matters for the present now ~
to be at home ~ ~ ~ at one.

~ Anna Lin

It Must Be Spring

There is a mildness in the air ~
A softness in the soil;
And there is less of weariness
In struggle and in toil.
The sun is somewhat warmer now ~
The sky a brighter blue;
And something seems to tell the heart
That life is fresh and new.
It must be time for spring again ~
And time to look around;
For greener grass and flowers fair
To decorate the ground.