Holy Jesus of the Cross - Prayers and Meditation

           

+Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.

As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end.  Amen.                              *Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart,                                                      Be always acceptable in Thy sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.  Amen.

From the rising of the sun, unto the going down of the same,

"The name of the Lord is to be praised.

Holy Jesus of the Cross, I yield myself to Thee,                                                     To live in obedience to Thy humility.

Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every Word                                                     That proceeds from the mouth of God.

*Labor not for food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life,                    Which the Son of Man will give you.

Holy Jesus of the Cross, I yield myself to Thee,                                                     To live in obedience to Thy humility.

            Thou will keep in perfect peace those whose mind is stayed on Thee.

            *For in returning and rest we shall be saved; in quietness and trust shall be our strength.

Holy Jesus of the Cross, I yield myself to Thee,                                                     To live in obedience to Thy humility.

Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

*Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children, and walk in love,

As Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us.

Holy Jesus of the Cross, I yield myself to Thee,                                                      To live in obedience to Thy humility.

Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

            *Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit says the Lord of hosts.

Holy Jesus of the Cross, I yield myself to Thee,                                                     To live in obedience to Thy humility.

Oh Lord and Master of my life,                                                                                         Give me not a spirit of sloth, vain curiosity, lust for power, and idle talk.

But give to me, Thy servant, a spirit of soberness, humility, patience, and love.

O Lord and King, grant me to see my own faults, and not to condemn my brother.

For blessed art Thou to the ages of ages, Amen.      (Prayer of St. Ephrem the Syrian)

Come O Holy Spirit, replenish my heart, And enkindle in it the fire of Thy Divine love.

Into Thy hands I commend my spirit, for Thou hast redeemed me, O Lord, Thou God of truth.

+In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Ghost.

Blessed be the Holy and Undivided Trinity, now and for evermore.  Amen.

Note:  My husband put together these prayers and I put some music to a lot of it.  I thought I would share this prayer/meditation for this Lent.  These prayers, when prayed in faith, will work to conform our spirits more to Christ, thereby making us more Christlike.  They are a very good prayers for morning when time is short due to the responsibilities of the workday.  May each one of you be blessed this Holy Lent and draw ever near to Christ.

Consider the Sparrow

Remember that bird

In the window,

He doesn't plant 

A garden,

Yet he eats what

He does not sow.

Never mind the rain,

It gives growth

To the grain,

And causes

Our faith to grow.

Nathan Dunlap   4-28-1997

Susanna's Poems

           Trusting

   The Lord is faithful
For I will trust Him day or night
    Whether I feel heavy or light
For He is wonderful.

Susanna Dunlap   11-13-2012


             Roses

       Roses are red
       When they spread
       The great news
       To the crews.

Susanna Dunlap  2012


          My Family

My brothers are so thoughtful,
My mother is so bright,
My sisters are so graceful,
My father is so right.

Susanna Dunlap   6-11-2012


     Learning Swahili Phrases

I'm going to learn more phrases
  Before I get into more mazes.
    I've already learned some;
       Here I'll tell you one.
         Asante kwa lifti.
         Isn't it a beauty?
         Wasn't that fun?
         Now I'm done.

Susanna Dunlap  1-8-2013


Note:  Asante kwa lifti means "thanks for the ride".  Susanna surprised me at Christmas and gave me a little book she made for me called Wonderful Poems.  I hope you enjoy some of these poems that we are sharing with you all.

The Offering

They gave to Thee
Myrrh, frankincense and gold
But, Lord, with what shall we
Present ourselves before Thy majesty,
Whom Thou redeemedst when we were sold?
We've nothing but ourselves, and scarce that neither;
Vile dirt and clay;
Yet it is soft and may
Impression take.
Accept it, Lord, and say, this Thou hadst rather;
Stamp it, Lord, and on this sordid metal make
Thy holy image, and it shall outshine
The beauty of the golden mine.

by Jeremy Taylor,  1613-1667

Unto Us a Son is Given

Given, not lent,
And not withdrawn - once sent,
This Infant of mankind, this One,
Is still the little welcome Son.

New every year,
New born and newly dear,
He comes with tidings and a song,
The ages long, the ages long;

Even as the cold
Keen winter grows not old,
As childhood is fresh, foreseen,
And spring in the familiar green.

Sudden as sweet
Come the expected feet.
All joy is young, and new all art,
And He, too, whom we have by heart.


by Alice Meynell,  1847-1922


Merry Christmas.  This year Christmas week was a bit different than most.  Most of our family got quite sick.  As I was sitting on the couch barely able to talk or think, I said in jest,  "Where is the Christmas cheer?"  Most Christmases we are busy cooking, caroling, and planning surprises for the children, but this year we were fixing flu tea and filling the vaporizers and reading to sick children.  So it was quite different this year, but it made me think about all those who are suffering while others are merrymaking. The answer to my question is from our Christmas play this year. "Christmas is not a time or a place."  I knew the answer when I asked it.  Rather, Christmas is a reality to be embraced, that God loves us so much that He became one of us and dwelt among us.  He came hidden as a little Babe, born in a cave.  He is gentle, and He gently calls us to Himself.  He invites us to be friends.  So we rejoice even when we are in various trials.

The Advent Kiss

Ever since Adam walked with God
     In the cool of the evening -
          Hand in hand perhaps;
Human hearts have yearned to know Him
     As that intimate friend -
          Holding them closely.

So He came again, not to walk,
     But to be held in our arms -
          Helpless and quiet;
Showing us the way to know Him
     by allowing our lips to
          Kiss the Face of God.


by Nathan Dunlap
2nd Sunday of Advent, Dec. 9, 2007


Note:  A few years ago my husband wrote this poem for a Christmas card of the Madonna and Child titled 'Kissing the Face of God'.  As I think on the Incarnation of God become man, one can only marvel at such Divine Love, becoming an infant born in poverty in a remote cave in Bethlehem.    

An Offering to Thee

So transform me, O Lord,
   That my life may be
   An offering to Thee,
As Christ has made
   An offering to me.

Work in me and make me whole;
Cleanse my heart, make pure my soul.

So transform me, O Lord,
   That my life may be
   An offering to Thee,
As Christ has made
   An offering to me.

Consecrate my cup inside;
With Thee, O Christ, I will abide.

So transform me, O Lord,
   That my life may be
   An offering to Thee,
As Christ has made
   An offering to me.

My death shall be as fire or ice;
Thy grace, Thy peace, Thy love will suffice.

So transform me, O Lord,
   That my life may be
   An offering to Thee,
As Christ has made
   An offering to me.

 Julie Dunlap  11-27-1012,  St. Augustine Cathedral