Mercy Songs

Disparage not our hearts-- they are God-loved, God-found This will get mystical -- allow me to propound Just think-- wherever we pray can be holy ground Contemplation of His Love always will astound The Divine Physician can heal us -- He's renowned Reach for the "hem of Christ's garment" (Mercy profound) Pull the "thread," don't let go, till there's enough unwound If too sad to sing His praise, let this poem surround "Caress the broken heart with threads of muted sound" Keep it snug and protect it, weave the threads around For times of desolation, when despairs abound And the upbeat, carefree feelings seem to have downed But Mary, Star of the Sea won't let Hope be drowned This Holy Queen's eyes of mercy see when we're aground Her Garment of Grace makes us royal kids (uncrowned) The choice of scapular is not meant to confound It matters not as much which color she has gowned Nor is it restricted to groups in a compound Anyone can ask for her Virtues to redound As her graces crowd out our sins, vices impound Belonging to her heart, her Mercy Songs resound Our Father, Hail Mary... our silent prayers unbound We must persist when consolation is unfound Read the quotes below, if you wish me to expound... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Mark 5:28 "If I can just touch the hem of his garment, I will be healed.” Romans 5:3-4: "...suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope..." "Suffering for love nourishes love. Let us not always wish to feel the sweetness of devotion to the Immaculata... It is not always time for sweet caresses, be they ever so holy. We also need the trials of dryness, abandonment, and the like. Let her fit the means of sanctification according to her will..." (pg. 105, #4-5, in Aim Higher!: Spiritual and Marian Reflections of St. Maximilian Kolbe). ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ August 9, 2023 Choose A Line II Poetry Contest (#2) Contest Sponsored by--- Joseph May