Pay What You Can

Pay what you can
That's what the sign on the door read
He put in $5.00
The only thing he had in his pocket
If his wife were on his arm, she would have counciled against it
$5.00 for a talk by some priest
It wasn't her fault excitedly this lack of respect and trust in Catholic priests
She was raised in a Protestant church
What was done was done
The $5.00 went in the box and he took his seat
Warm faces greeted him
He shook clean hands as well as oil stained hands
The priest talked of love, trust,  forgiveness, and community
Words he needed to hear
He walked home to his wife and kids with the promise of a new job
If he had spent that money on beer, he would have walked home empty handed and drunk

Her Weapon

Street lights illuminated

Cold clings to your bones

The only ones outside those that have nowhere to go

Voices are heard above the wind

People wanting to make a quick buck

Others looking for shelter for the night

Some drunk are just angry at the world and the only way to release that pinned up rage is to fight

Up ahead, past George’s liquor store walks a lady

She’s old, frail

God bless you. God bless you

Her whispers are barely audible

Yet everyone knows what she said

She doesn’t stop to talk

Walking is her only mission

Wrapped around one hand is a rosary

Her weapon

My Christmas Wish

What do you want for Christmas?
A question on everyone's lips for that last minute gift
Like a good girl, my Christmas shopping is done
What was on my list?
A book
A tablet
Nothing expensive
Nothing really special
Five days before Christmas as I'm lying in bed, praying
I realize what I really want
My mama
The way she was
Free of dementia and cancer
So like a child, I go to Jesus and ask for a miracle
Can you heal my mama for me?

Preperations

It was decreed by law that we must travel to Bethlehem
My hopes to of giving birth in the comfort of my own home were shattered
Joseph, right now is looking for a gentle donkey for me to ride on
Although I am great with child, I can walk
My husband insists otherwise
I am packing our clothes for the journey
And extra blankets for the babe that will come into the world soon
My neighbor asked only yesterday
Mary, you must be so frightened
I smiled and offered her a cup of water
There is no need to be frightened
I trust in the Lord

The Promise

To be able to receive Jesus was all I ever wanted
When the year came, things changed
My friends played ball in the park
While I stayed in bed, too weak to even read
Mama said that I should consider doing my First Communion next year
Each time she brought it up, I flooded my pillow with tears
So my lessons began with my mother's taechings
As winter turned into spring, the recovery I prayed for was not meant to be
Keeping food down was difficult
The blandest bread and the sweetest fruit did nothing to sooth my tummy
How could I receive Jesus like this?
For weeks and weeks I prayed, but I only got worse
Mama called a priest
On the day of May 3rd, I received three sacraments
The priest listened as I told him my sins
He placed the Host in my mouth and to my surprise I swallowed it with ease
Lastly, he gave me last rights
I took my last breadth that night
This is not a sad story, but a happy one
Before Jesus took my to heave I received my First Communion
I even wore a veil

Jesus' House

The end of the work day
Men and women - mostly older sit quietly in a chapel
The only sound is of a man's coughs
Halfway through the hour a woman with her two children walk in
All three dirty and noisy
The stares are one of bothersome
The mother talked to them of Jesus and Mary
Baby cooed and snuggled next to his mama
Little girl, loud and boisterous ran up to a statue of Mary holding baby Jesus
I love you May! I love you baby Jesus!
Her mother smiled
Happy that despite everything, her little girl still loved Jesus and Mary
Do we have to sleep in the car again tonight?
Tears began to flood the mother's eyes
Maybe Jesus will let us stay in His house tonight.

Nativity of Mary

How the angels smiled with delight at this unique creation from God
A baby girl born spotless
Such sweetness and purity is the birth of Our Lady
The mother of our Savior