ST JOHN THE EVANGELIST

 

St John the Evangelist

St. John, whose eagle soars on high,
With piercing gaze toward heaven's sky;
Beheld the Word, eternal, bright,
And led our hearts into God's light.

John journeyed close beside the Lord,
And treasured every sacred word.
John leaned upon the Saviour's breast,
There his seeking soul found rest.

John's gospel tells of grace Divine,
Where love and truth forever shine;
From Bethlehem to Calvary's tree -
John shows the Son Who sets us free.

The eagle teaches us to love,
Sacred truths from God above; 
To rise beyond earth's fleeting care,
And find God's loving Presence there.

John's words, though written long ago,
Still make faith's living river flow;
They kindle hope in every age,
As light that fills each sacred page.

O John, evangelist, pray that we
May know our Christ more perfectly;
Grant us the eagle's eyes to see,
The splendour of God's mystery.

The eagle is the symbol of Saint John the Evangelist, whose gospel emphasizes the Divinity of Christ. Flying higher than any other bird, the eagle is the emblem of John's keen insight into mystical doctrine.

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CHRIST PANTOCRATOR - RULER OF ALL

 

Christ Pantocrator - Ruler of All

Christ Pantocrator, Lord Divine,
Whose endless love through ages shine;
You hold the stars within Your Hand,
And walk with us through every land.

Your mighty Word the heavens made,
The light, the sea, the silent glade;
Through the gifts the earth has grown,
Your boundless mercy is made known.

From golden grain comes living bread,
By loving hands so gently fed;
From ripened grapes comes joyful wine,
A humble gift with grace Divine.

These earthly signs, so plain, so small,
Reveal the Lord who governs all -
Your holy power transforms our days,
And fills our hearts with songs of praise.

You heal the broken, calm our fears,
And dry the sorrow of our tears.
You cleanse our hearts with love Divine,
And nourish us with bread and wine.

The Bread of Life, the Cup of Grace,
Reveal Your love in every place;
The God who reigns in heaven above
Comes down to us with endless love.

From clustered grapes the rich wine flows,
A sacred gift God's mercy shows.
Through humble fruit God's grace we see, 
As sign of holy mystery.

Through humble gifts Your life we share,
Your sacred Presence everywhere;
The Lord of Glory, strong and mild,
Receives each soul as His own child.

O Christ, Almighty Lord of all,
You answer every faith-filled call.
Lead us by faith until we see,
Your Face throughout eternity.

With thankful hearts we now proclaim,
All glory to Your holy Name!
Through Your gifts we are made new,
All praise, O Lord, belongs to You.

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TREE OF LIFE

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WHAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN

What Might Have Been

A wealthy young man knelt one day,
Before the Lord to seek the Way;
Christ looked with love into his face,
And called him to a life of grace.

"Go, sell your treasures, follow Me;
Come walk the road that makes you free."
Yet bound by all his riches dear,
He turned away with heart sincere.

He left with sadness in his eyes,
Still captive to earth's gilded prize.
His purse was full, his barns were wide,
Yet something precious in him died.

The Twelve knew hunger, dust, and rain;
Long roads and weariness and pain.
No certain bed, no purse of gold,
Yet hearts on fire, courageous, bold.

They crossed the seas and climbed the hills,
To do their Master's holy Will.
Though earthly comforts they had none,
Their souls rejoiced in God's own Son.

They heard His laughter on the way,
They learned from Him from day to day.
They watched His mercy freely flow,
And felt His endless love bestow.

They shared the labour and the strife,
Yet found the deepest, richest life.
For every burden they embraced,
Was brightened by the Master's grace.

The years rolled by with silent tread;
The young man, now grown old instead;
Looked round upon his treasured store,
Yet found it satisfied no more.

His silver gleamed, his vineyards spread,
His tables groaned with daily bread.
But through the silence came again
The Voice that once had called his name.

He wondered, with a longing sigh,
"What joy have I let pass me by?
What roads with Christ I might have trod,
To build the Kingdom of my God."

"What friends in faith I never knew,
What wonders I declined to view;
What souls I never helped to see,
The love that first was shown to me."

His wealth remained; his years had fled;
His heart recalled the words once said.
Too late he saw what love had shown:
No treasure shines like Christ alone.

So let us heed the Master's call,
And freely yield to Him our all.
Though hardship marks the pilgrim's way,
His faithful Presence lights each day.

The cross is heavy; still we sing,
For Christ is with us, Lord and King.
No sacrifice for Him is vain;
Eternal joy is greater gain.

Let none look back with sorrow's tear,
And wish they had drawn Christ more near.
Walk with Him while yet you may,
Nor grieve for chances cast away.

For those who answer to His call,
Find Christ the richest Gift of all.
The Master's friendship, pure and true,
Is worth far more than all we knew.

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GOLDEN BEAUTY OF MARY'S SOUL

 

Golden Beauty of Mary's Soul

When Mary's earthly race was run,

She journeyed to her glorious Son.

The gates of heaven opened wide,

To welcome Christ's dear Mother inside.

No stain of sin her soul could claim,

She lived for God's most holy Name.

Her heart was pure, her soul did shine,

As living temple for Divine.

Her golden soul with splendour glowed,

Reflecting every grace God had bestowed;

More radiant than the morning's light,

She glowed with heaven's beauty bright.

The angels sang with joyful voice,

The saints in glory did rejoice;

Their Queen had come with humble praise,

To share God's everlasting days.

Her head, often bowed so deep in prayer,

Was crowned with glory beyond compare.

Her faithful "Yes," so meek and free,

Now blossomed into victory.

Assumed to heaven, body and soul,

God crowned the one He had made whole.

The Queen of Heaven, crowned above,

Now reigns within God's endless Love.

Yet Mary's heart has not grown far;

She watches where her children are.

She gently leads us day by day,

To follow Christ, the Truth, the Way.

She teaches us that holiness

Is found through love and faithfulness.

A humble heart, obedient still,

Delights to do the Father's Will.

O Mary, Mother, gracious Queen,

The fairest soul the world has seen;

Pray we may walk the narrow way,

And join your song one glorious day.

Then with the angels we shall raise

Our grateful hearts in endless praise.

Where Christ our King is all in all,

And love forever conquers all.

Image by CN Whittle

NO ROOM, YET ROOM FOR GRACE

 

No Room, Yet Room for Grace  - (Journey to Bethlehem) 

At last they reached fair Bethlehem,
As evening's light grew faint and dim;
Their weary feet had travelled far,
Still guided by Heaven's faithful star.

They knocked upon each crowded door,
Yet heard the words, "We have no more."
No place to rest, no welcome there,
No room was found for Heaven's Heir.

What seemed rejection, cold and deep,
Became the place where love would keep.
For God can turn our darkest night
Into dawn of holy light.

A humble stable, rough and small,
Became the greatest home of all.
No royal hall, no throne of gold,
Could match the wonders there untold.

Upon the straw the Christ Child lay,
The Light of Worlds, the Truth, the Way.
The King of kings in weakness came,
Yet every heart He sought to claim.

The cattle watched, the angels sang,
With joyful praise the heavens rang.
The shepherds knelt in awe-filled grace,
Beholding God in Mary's embrace.

The poorest place was heaven's Choice,
That all the world might hear His Voice.
Where human eyes saw loss and shame,
God's endless Love forever came.

He turned rejection into grace,
And made the stable a holy place.
He clothed our poverty with His Love,
And drew our earth to Heaven above.

He changed our weakness into might,
Our deepest darkness into light.
From humble birth to Calvary's tree,
He won our hope eternally.

So when life's doors seem firmly barred,
And every road appears too hard,
Remember Bethlehem's sacred story;
God turns our poverty into glory.

For Christ still enters hearts today
That humbly welcome Him to stay;
And every soul that makes Him room
Will find new life beyond the tomb.

Image by CN Whittle

QUEEN OF SHEBA

Pilgrim Heart of the Queen of Sheba

The Queen of Sheba heard the call,
A whispered truth beyond them all;
Her pilgrim heart could not remain,
Content with wealth or worldly gain.

She crossed the sands beneath the sky,
With searching soul and questing eye;
Each weary step, each desert mile,
Was lit by hope for all the while.

She sought not jewels, thrones, or gold,
Nor stories that were often told;
She longed to hear God's wisdom's voice,
The treasure of the truest choice.

Before King Solomon she stood,
And found his counsel wise and good.
Her heart rejoiced, her spirit sang,
As heaven's truth within her rang.

Yet One far greater calls today,
The Christ who is the Living Way;
His Wisdom shines with endless light,
Dispelling darkness with His Might.

He calls each pilgrim, "Come to Me;
Walk in My truth and you are free.
Let every step be filled with grace,
Until you see My glorious Face."

Like Sheba's Queen, may we arise,
With faithful hearts and lifted eyes;
May nothing keep our souls apart
From Christ, the longing of our heart.

For every life must one day stand,
Before the Judge with pierced Hand.
How blessed those who learned His Voice,
Who made His holy Will their choice.

The pilgrim heart that seeks His Face,
Will find His Mercy and His Grace -
As on that great and final day,
All fear and darkness flee away.

So let us journey while we can,
According to God's loving plan.
Like Sheba's Queen, our hearts made new,
Forever faithful, Lord, to You.

Lead us, Jesus, day by day,
Upon Your everlasting way.
Until our pilgrimage is done,
And we rejoice before Your Throne.

Image by CN Whittle