Clinging

Clinging, clinging to You,
As a leaf clasping the vine
With mouth pressed
And soul hungry,
Receiving in its will
Sustenance and vigor.

Stress, season, time,
And the tempters three,
World, Devil and fleshy me,
Turn, test and try resolve.

Clinging, I cling,
Clasping fast,
For only the glue of love
Suffice as bond,
To quell and conquer,
The wanton, the unruly.
For the Conqueror abides in me,
I cling to the Almighty Three.

Copyright 2011 Joann Nelander

The Now of Time and Passion

Jesus, You didn’t rush through the moments of Your Passion on the Way of the Cross.

You didn’t hurry through Your Suffering on the Cross on the way to Your Ressurrection.

Rather, You embrace the whole of each morsel of Time to sanctify the whole.

In Your steps along Your Way, may I walk embracing You,

In Your Passion, my passion,

In Your cross, my cross,

In Your Resurrection, my resurrection.

 

© 2011 Joann Nelander

The Lights of Advent Keep Vigil

Adventskranz Porzellan

Advent candles lit within my being,
Prayer like a torch,
Calling on the Spirit,
To light the lamp of vigil
And illuminate my soul.

Thanksgiving, a spotlight,
Setting blessings all aglow,
While praise as a million votives
Ring Your manger in the night.

Though my soul be steeped in sorrow,
For the sin that went before,
My tears You turn to shining crystal
As the sea before Your throne.

O, Sun of Justice,
In Heaven you replace the shining stars.
Banish all darkness here below,
As  once Your Star lit Earth’s long night

Alight all holiness,
As a rainbow green with Life,
Arches ’bout the celestial throne,
While incandescent angels
Sing with halo-headed saints.

Because You come,
This earthy life’s tomorrows
Are bedecked in Hope
As You knock at ready virgins’ door,

The Promise ever before me,
You stand, an open door.
I, now, Bold Abandonment,
Before the throne of grace,

Sainted souls gleaming like electrum
Flashing love’s arrows as lightning.
Advent becomes Christmas in my soul.

By Joann Nelander

 

Come Holy Spirit – St. Gertrude the Great and the Feast of Pentecost

St. Gertrude and the Feast of Pentecost

*For the whole of the Life and Revelations of St. Gertrude the Great go here

Facing Boko Haram, Nigerians ‘storm the heavens with prayers – Prayer in time of Distress

Facing Boko Haram, Nigerians ‘storm the heavens with prayers’ :: Catholic News Agency (CNA).

Prayer in time of Distress

Prayer in time of Suffering

Eyes of My Soul

O eyes of my soul,
Eyes of my spirit,
Eyes of my heart,
See!

See the glory revealed
In all creation.
See the Son
Hidden in the least
To the greatest.

Recognize the Christ,
Lord of all.
Lord over the earth
Lord over the sea
Lord raised above the heavens.

Enthrone Him, King,
King of your soul,
King of your spirit,
King of your heart.

As light illuminates,
See that you are a new creation.
See, in this moment,
As in the breaking of the Bread.

Copyright 2013 Joann Nelander
All rights reserved