Category Archives: All Things Catholic

Keeper of My Soul

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I am because You are.
I will always be,
Because you create me for eternity.

Who can grasp the eternal soul?
Who but Man is spirit celestial,
Yet of this earth terrestrial?

What does it matter that I am matter,
Made for this world and Time,
Yet envisioning a paradise more sublime?

Where will I spend my forever?
Is it for nought,
That I seek to do as I ought?

You whisper at sunset,
In the glory of the evening sky,
Telling of Mystery hidden from the eye.

You dream of me, eternally.
You fire my spirit and my stuff.
Knowing earth is not enough.

When earth can no longer
Hold my soul,
Sign me in Your celestial scroll.

Write my name in Yours,
Jesus, protector from death infernal,
Jesus, keeper of my soul eternal.

© 2016 Joann Nelander

Death with Dignity

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Death with Dignity?
There is no dignity in dying.
It is dissolution,
Libation poured out,
The empty glass.

Dignity rests with the soul,
Persists, despite soiled garments,
Perseveres, midst death’s indignities.
It clothes the soul in hope.
Despite the tale the mirror tells.
Dignity confronts our demons.

It rises as limbs refuse us,
To fly free of earthly chains,
And contemplate the Face of God.
Copyright 2016 Joann Nelander

Entrustment

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I do not see myself.
Though I long for holiness of heart,
Of this world I am apart.

I do not know myself.
Though I keep Your Image before my eyes,
The world appears in angelic disguise.

I do not trust myself.
Though I choose Your way,
I fear to be led astray.

I do not save myself,
Though I’m broken and and far from Heaven,
You live in me as heavenly leaven.

You, I see and know,
And You, I trust.
To You, my soul, I, mightily, entrust.

 

© 2016 Joann Nelander

Thanks Be to God

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For what am I thankful? How about that I am.
Yes, I am here, a creature,one among others, willed into existence by the God of All, and He constantly calls me to know Him. I am free, in other words.

Yes, I am free, free to be free of God, if I so choose.
There it is again, scary freedom, free to be ignorant of the One Who calls, the One Who Loves.

He calls through His creation, look at Me, I Am Truth. I Am Beauty. I Am Love. His call proclaims me not one among others, but His one and only. Be not only being but exceedingly blessed. Be, by faith, and “Amen”, My Son. Reign as priest,and prophet and King.

For what am I thankful? I am thankful that I am grateful. With my eyes, I have seen,and with my heart, I have said, “Amen”. I answer “Amen” with my every heartbeat, my very breath. With all the moments of my life, I call to my God, my “Amen”. I am Son, caught up in Triune Being. He wears my “Yes” as eternal glory.

He is, and I am all thanksgiving.

copyright 2014 Joann Nelander

All My Hope

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All My Hope

All my hope is in You.
All my hope is in Your great Love.
All my hope is in Your great Mercy.

Seeing but darkly,
You are my Light.
Clouds conceal Your brilliance,
But Faith lifts the veil,
And I behold You.
Hidden in my very being.

Despite my smallness,
You dignify my every breath and heart beat,
Giving me Your holy inspiration,
Hiding me in Your Heart,
Cleansing me by Your Blood.

How could I but hope?
You spend Yourself on me.
You are my treasure,
Mercy purer than gold,
Love greater than diamonds,
And I know, without doubt,
You treasure me.

© 2016 Joann Nelander

One Last Touch

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Lord, You have been growing me.
It’s been 75 years plus a bit, since my conception.
All those years and not one day without love.

Not one day without the play of wind,
Or warmth of golden beam,
Or sustenance given though unseen.

Not one day without a kiss of sun,
Or breeze,
Or butterfly.

Not one day the more or less than You decree,
Simply the glee
Of being me.

Lord, You have been growing me.
I count my days blessed and witnessed from above,
The stuff as given and mysterious as stars.

When I am fully grown,
Incline to lift me from the earth,
And with Mercy’s parting splendor,
Render one last touch.

© 2016 Joann Nelander