Michael Sliney

Is Christ at the center? Or off to the side?
Do you seek him? Or happen to coincide?
Is he your quarterback? Or “riding the pine”?
Is he number one? Where does Jesus allign?

With Christ at the helm, your ship will not capsize,
Satan will lose, if he is your close ally,
Please make time for Jesus, press close to his heart!
He patiently waits, it’s not too late to start!

Grouchy,gloomy and grey…bitter, blowing breeze,
The sun is hiding…the leaves fell off the trees,
It’s flu season, cold season…whining and wheeze!

Selfish or selfless? This is the battle line!
Are you going to let your little light shine?
Carry your own weather! Follow God’s design!

Man looks at appearances,
Christ zeroes in on the heart.
We highlight our grievances…
God treasures his work of art!

Can a mother hate her child?
Does she only see the stains?
What is mentally filed?
Virtues and qualities reign!

How does Jesus look at you?
Mother’s hearts give us a clue!

Marvelous, marital marathons,
Bearing burdens, with blistering brawn,
Fervent fidelity, dusk to dawn,
Clutching with care, this blessed baton.

“Love until death” is their antiphon,
Patient prayer allows them to push on,
Spiritual battles, worse than Bataan,
Worn at the finish line…woebegone,
Forgiving and giving…”denouement”!

At times, raising kids can be challenging.
They have ears, but are always battling,
Pushing parents’ buttons, rattling…
No respect, is maddening!
But even dirty coal,
can become diamond.
What is your goal?
selfless love=
shining
souls!

Chickadee’s chirping,
Blue Bonnett’s bursting,
Sun’s sublime, soothing,
Wisdom whispering,
Creation calling:
God loves you so much!!!

Lonely hearts, anxious minds,
Passed hurts…often close blinds,
Sin promises…but binds!

“Happiness” is not peace!
Time is short, life is leased,
Selfishness must decrease,
Jesus Christ must increase!
Let his love be released!

Chosen by God himself…treasure in clay,
They’re free to say “no”, or humbly obey,
They take on a flock, becoming “padre”,
Mass, confessions, prayer…fills their dossier,
24/7…with such little pay!
Reaching out to sinners who drift astray,
Deep down in the trenches, God’s Green Beret,
Bringing Christ’s message on streets and subways,
No time to stop for a “cafe au lait”,
Not much in the tank when they hit the hay,

Ambassadors for Christ…naïveté?
Priests are joyful inside, take a survey!
Thank “your” priest, with a spiritual bouquet!!

Holy Thursday…God’s gracious gift,
His sacred love…sublime and swift,
Always there…even the night shift!

Good Friday…Christ took on our sins,
By dying…humanity wins,
Selflessness…when will yours begin?

Holy Saturday…hope awaits,
Christ opens wide the pearly gates,
God’s “Providence” replaces “fate”,
Brothers/sisters of Christ…team-mates!
This Triduum…amalgamates!

The child that once was in Mary’s womb,
Was no longer in the empty tomb.
Although her sore heart was pierced with pain!
Her deep faith helped her to ascertain:
That through his Passion, her son would reign.
She hoped and yearned to see him again!