Sliney Central

When painful pounding beats you down,
When dark despair tempts you to frown.
Look to the cross and see Our King,
A wooden throne, no robe or ring…

Silently suffering…for you!
Sacrificial giving…true blue!
So firm and faithful to the end,
Nothing could make him break or bend.

Contemplate this scene, take it in!
Fight the same good fight, race to win!
Lean into Christ’s heart, conquer sin!

Holy amnesia is the key
For matrimony to succeed.

For all the snores, complaints and moans,
Excessive focus on the phone,
Harsh words coupled with hurtful tones,
Spending? Far too many bank loans!

Tooth paste tubes curled the wrong way,
Not listening to what “I say”,
Preparing the coffee “your way”,
Trifles, troubles, trials each day. 

Focus on the positive! Please!
The virtues are what you should see!
Holy amnesia? Certainly!!
But, LOVE unconditionally!

A rose unpetaled..
Showering gifts from heaven..
Thank you St. Therese!!

He shaped us all from clay.
Hidden in Church, he stays,
Protecting us from fray,
Holding passions at bay,
His grace is free…no pay.
He’s truth, he’s life, the way,
Not fifty shades of grey!
For us, on Christmas day,
In a stable he lay,
On piled straws of hay…
To Christ the King we pray!
Grow your Kingdom today!!

In life’s dark tunnels, where struggles abound,
When sensitives souls are kicked around,
When a “sincere” friend cannot be found,
When anxieties make sore brains pound,
When bean balls connect from pitcher’s mound,…
Listen to gratitude’s voice resound!!

The gift of life, with sight, smell and taste,
The Infused virtues: love, hope, and faith,
A merciful God…who doesn’t lambaste,
Confession…through which sins are erased,
Mary…pray to her, look at her face!
Christ…who deeply yearns for your embrace!!!

With Lent around the corner, here’s some food for thought,
Christ left the noise of the world; prayer is what he sought,
We must find our “desert” or fly to Montserrat!
Time for prayer, time for God…should fill our Lenten slot.

Too many hit the range, few work on their chip shots,
Go to wear it hurts more, toughen up the soft spots.
Hugging a prickly person, kindness must be wrought!
“No roses without thorns,” true peace cannot be bought!

Flee to Mary often, let her untie your knots,
Sweeten Lent with love, this is what Christ lived and taught.

God whispers, he does not shout,
Grace flows from an open spout,
Our closed hearts create the drought,
Busy lives obstruct the route,
Our sin causes the “black-out.”

Ignore Satan’s rants and touts,
Mary gives you added clout,
God’s love is there, beyond doubt!
Let Christ fix you, when you pout,
Let Him in…virtues will sprout!!

“Too busy, hectic, whirlwind, way too fast”?
Is this your response when your help is asked?
Do we consider this being “harassed”?
This lack of true “balance” is unsurpassed,
Causing a spiritual lymphoblast!
The world’s need for love has become more vast.
Modern expectations must be recast,
Jesus’ life is such a stark contrast!
Time for God and others must not come last!

Is it really that big of a deal?
Taking out garbage without a peal,
Preparing a top class home-cooked meal,
Fighting feelings to stay even-keel,
Not treating others like a fifth wheel,
Patching up wounds and trying to heal,
Kindness, good manners…being genteel,
These acts soften your heart to congeal,
Of course you must often pray and kneel,
Begging for grace with heart felt appeal,
This is love and the Christian Ideal!

It all began with a choice for life…
Knowing this would add serious strife.
Nine months hidden in your gentle womb,
Hidden pain, waiting for me to bloom.

Those early years nestled in the crib…
Sauce and crumbs, imbedded in my bib.
When my temper showed it’s ugly face,
Your soft arms were ready to embrace.

High school was a turbulent phase…
Yet, I stayed calm with your loving gaze.
When God’s call pierced my heart and my soul,
You were there to inspire and console.

Fourteen years to ordination day…
I survived because you stopped to pray.
Mothers of priests are special indeed,
Their deep holiness should be decreed!

Mom, your focus on Christ lifts me high,
Even now, from my abode in Rye.
Words cannot express my gratitude,
For your truly selfless attitude.
I love you mom, happy Mother’s Day!