THE GOOD SAMARITAN - Luke 10:25-37

“I love You Lord,”
How easily the words
Slither like the snake in Eden’s garden,
Reeking of deceit.
I am the Levite and the Priest,
Rolled into one,
For I’ve refused to love,
My neighbor as myself.

Behold the man that I refuse to see,
Cold my contempt for him,
For having left Jerusalem ,
To jaunt in Jericho.
Self righteously I cross the road,
As far away from him as I can get,
Yet I dare to sit upon God’s throne,
Consigning him to hell.

While I make haste lest I be late,
To make my own ascent to Zion.

No time to love my neighbor as myself,
To wash and bathe his wounds,
With the gentle oil of kindness.
I withhold the wine,
Of  my compassion,
I have no unction sweet,
To salve his hurt and heal his heart,
So unlike the Good Samaritan.

Myra D’Souza / 6th October 2011

The Door to Life Anew

 Profound is our distress,
As we keep sacred vigil ,
Round your bed.

No cry escapes your lips,
  Skin cleaves to bones,
Your body deathly still.

Your soul prepares for flight,
One journey ends,
Another soon begins.

Each says a last goodbye,
I lift your hand and place it,
One more time against my lips.

You meet my gaze
We make a silent pledge
That we will meet again.

Faith the sentinel to Love,
Declares death but a sign,
Abundant Life goes on.


Myra D’Souza / 29 September 2011

LECTIO DIVINA

Shepherd of my soul,

How good it is to walk with You,

Through verdant pastures.

We journey at my pace,

You let me stop and drink,

From streams of Living Water.

Ever gentle like the sun,

That  wakes the dawn,

You bring to life my inner being.

Oft times a word or verse explodes

It dazzles brighter

Than the noonday sun

Upon my soul

As Scripture comes alive.

How good it is

To linger here with You,

Beloved,

In Lectio Divina.

Myra D’Souza / 6 September 2011

The End of A Lament

No kindred soul to twine with mine.
You’ve gone and I  have yet to find affinity,
A discerning of the idiom that I speak.
I‘ve striven hard to breach the wall,
Sighing wistfully as shutters fall, veils drop,
Forming tangible yet unseen,
Silken yet impenetrable barriers,
Impeding my approach.

No sister friend to speak with me again,
As once we did with look and word.
Our hearts in tandem yoked to Him,
Who tenderly  draws all unto Himself.
The endless void shimmers with an ache,
Alone, bereft, I yearn to know again
The passion that we shared in our discourse
Of Him whose Name is Love

A fragrance tangled in a myriad memories,
Is unleashed and hope untrammelled brims,
As I recall my daughter’s face alight with ardour,
When she speaks of Him, whose Name is Love.

All at once my mournful lament ends, 

And I begin to sing again for I have found 

In this dear daughter mine,
A second 'sister friend.'

Myra D’Souza / 4 September 2011

ALWAYS WITH YOU

May Your Word dwell richly in me,

May Your perfect will rule mine,

May the presence of Your Spirit,

Make my soul a holy shrine.

May I be a cheerful giver,

May I love wholeheartedly,

Never keeping count of any,

Wrongs that have been done to me.

Take my hand lest I should wander,

Promise You’ll stay by my side,

I can face the storms that gather,

With our fingers intertwined.

When my journey here is over,

When the hour for me has come,

When You call my name Beloved,

I’ll fly home when day is done.

Myra D’Souza / 8 March 2011

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SANDY GIRL

How best shall we remember,
You who touched our lives,
In ways too many to recount?

To me you will remain forever,
Closer than a friend, my confidante.
When in need to you I came,
For wisdom and for truth.

A myriad memories,
Entwine and meld our hearts as one,
For we walked both years and miles together.

Sometimes I carried you,
For oft I found,
My shoulders were much stronger.

The borders of my heart being wider,
Wrapped itself around your own,
Sweet sister mine.

The tears still flow,
I gasp in pain when I recall my loss.
Then dawns the thought of you in heaven,
And I smile.

Myra D’souza / 19 July 2011

LOVE RECONCILES - Sacrament Of Reconciliation

20 Then a woman who had suffered from a severe bleeding for twelve years came up from behind and touched the edge of his cloak. 21 For she thought, “If I only touch his cloak, I will be healed.” 22 Jesus turned, saw her and said, “Cour­age, my daughter, your faith has saved you.” And from that moment the woman was cured. - Matthew 9:20-23

Timidly I approach,

My heartbeat crescendos

Deafening my ears.

Aware of my sin stained soul

I fall on my knees seeking mercy

Beseeching You to bless me.

You do.

And I confess.

Trembling, I touch the  tassels of Your cloak

That seamless garment of love

Woven with pity and compassion

And once again grace imbues my soul.

Healed in mind, body and spirit

I am whole.

Fear dissolves, melting into sorrow

For having wounded You

Whom I love best.

Unbidden, tears wet my cheek

I firmly resolve with Your  help

To never sin again.

The Voice that spoke

Two thousand years ago

Speaks again those blessed words

Restoring me to grace,

 “Go in peace, your sins are forgiven.”

Grace wells, drawn from Living Streams,

Suffused,

I glow

In the warmth of Your benediction.

Myra D’Souza / 6^th July 2011

On Eagle's Wings

In the time of my trouble,

I called on the Lord,

My Deliverer swooped down,

With the swiftness of an eagle,

To answer me.

Danger and distress lurked around me,

I was terrified,

In my fear I called on the Lord,

More tenderly than a mother,

My God comforted me.

I will sing to my Beloved always,

His praise ever in my heart,

Will spill from my lips,

The love of the Lord overwhelms me,

Like a mighty river it rushes over me,

I drown in joy.

My Lord delights in my love,

He calls me by my name,,

He whispers it softly in my soul,

His Voice gentle,

Gentle as an evening breeze.

He soothes me and calms me, 

He chases away my fears,

He calls me little sister, bride, 

Heart’s delight,

I respond, "My soul's beloved, 

My Lord and my God."

Myra D'Souza / 23rd May 2011

A SONG AT SUNSET

The radiant sun is setting,
It's loath to say goodbye,

Lingering to kiss and leave,

Ablaze an azure sky.

Quickening to  fiery red,
From touch both brash and bold,
The vault is rife with colors,

That range from blush to gold.

The waves caress and whisper,

As they ripple on the beach,

The shell strewn sand's a shimmer,

‘Neath clouds that glow in peach.

Full-throated each bird is singing,
Vespers at close of day,

The wind joins in the chorus,

As Creation renders praise.

Myra D'Souza / 17th May 2011

God's Little Nothing

Created out of nothing,
He called me by my name,
Blowing on a flicker
And urging it to flame.
God has shaped and moulded,
My body made of clay,
Grafting me to Jesus
So I ‘d never want to stray.

God took this little nothing,
And breathed in me new life,
He took this little trifle,
Conforming me to Christ.
I am God’s little zero,
Sinner though I be,
The Lord of earth and heaven
Says He’s Daddy God to me.

When grief unmitigated,
Had cast a bitter blight,
When agony and loss had left,
A void bereft of light,
In silence and surrender,
My God stooped tenderly,
And touched His little nothing,
In profound simplicity.

I know I am His nothing,
And all He’s given me,
Is not because I’ve earned it,
Nor is it destiny.
All is purely largesse,
On my Father’s part,
He says His tiny zero,
Delights His loving heart.

Myra D'Souza / 14th April 2011

VIA CRUCIS - THE WAY OF THE CROSS

THE FIRST STATION
JESUS IS CONDEMNED TO DEATH



Truth stood alone in silence,
Bereft of every friend,
Pilate washed his hands in blood,
Thus Jesus was condemned.

THE SECOND STATION
JESUS TAKES UP HIS CROSS



They laid the Cross upon His back,
They spat and struck His head,
They booed and sneered, they mocked and jeered,
He thinks He’s God they said.

THE THIRD STATION
JESUS FALLS THE FIRST TIME



Shoved viciously He stumbled,
Falling on His knees,
They yanked the cord that bound Him,
Blaspheming lustily.

THE FOURTH STATION
JESUS MEETS HIS BLESSED MOTHER


He met His grieving Mother,
Their eyes locked in embrace,
Wordlessly she strengthened Him,
With her maternal gaze.

THE FIFTH STATION
SIMON OF CYRENE HELPS JESUS TO CARRY HIS CROSS



Afraid He would succumb before,
The spectacle they’d planned,
They forced Simon of Cyrene,
To lend a helping hand.

THE SIXTH STATION
VERONICA WIPES THE FACE OF JESUS



His beauty once compelling,
Had fled without a trace,
Veronica removed her veil,
To wipe His bloodied Face.

THE SEVENTH STATION
JESUS FALLS THE SECOND TIME



A second time He crumpled,
His head swam in the heat,
They swore aloud and kicked Him,
As He struggled to His feet.

THE EIGHTH STATION
JESUS CONSOLES THE WOMEN OF JERUSALEM



Wailing and lamenting,
The women moaned and wept,
He gently said, “Weep for yourselves,
And little ones instead.”

THE NINTH STATION
JESUS FALLS THE THIRD TIME 

The Cross sawed on His shoulder,
He slumped in agony,
The soldiers yelled abuses
And whipped Him cruelly.

THE TENTH STATION
JESUS IS STRIPPED OF HIS GARMENTS


They stripped off all His garments,
They gambled for His cloak,
He stood unbowed before the crowd,
Who tore His beard and joked.

THE ELEVENTH STATION
JESUS IS NAILED TO THE CROSS



They nailed Him on the altar,
Of the Cross at Calvary,
His perfect sacrifice atoned,
For our iniquity.

THE TWELFTH STATION
JESUS DIES ON THE CROSS

He hung t’wixt earth and heaven,
Mourners gathered round to grieve,
The hour had come for sinners,
To find pardon and reprieve.

THE THIRTEENTH STATION
JESUS IS TAKEN DOWN FROM THE CROSS
AND LAID IN HIS MOTHER'S ARMS



The disciples placed His Body,
Gently on His Mother's knee,
She wrapped her arms around Him
And embraced Him tenderly.

THE FOURTEENTH STATION
JESUS IS LAID IN THE SEPULCHER



Embalmed with myrrh and aloes,
Wrapped in linen cloth,
The Savior of the world reposed,
All through the Jewish Sabbath.

THE FIFTEENTH STATION
JESUS ROSE FROM THE DEAD
ALLELUIA!!!



The silent night kept vigil,
As God lay in the tomb,
On Easter morn New Life would dawn,
Exploding from earth’s womb.

Myra D'Souza / 12.4.2011






Myra D'Souza /12th April 2011

Hey There Sandy Girl!

It’s been a year my Sandy girl,

How swiftly time has passed,

Each melancholy memory,

Returns to haunt my heart.

                              

A singularly wistful year,

Trying to comprehend,

How  blest I’ve been to have you,

As my confidante and friend.

How rich has been your legacy,

Of courage, grace and wit,

Your patience in adversity,

Your serenity and grit.

In dreams I’ve see you often,

Laughing in delight,

Radiant, joyous, beautiful,

Aglow with God’s own light.

Hey there Sandy girl, when time

Shall cease to be for me,

We’ll live together You and I

One in Christ's company.

Myra D’Souza / 31^st March 2011

HIDDEN IN HIM

Sweep me up in Your arms O Lord,
Cradle me close to Your breast,
My soul will find refuge and harbor,
For in You is perfect rest.

I wrestle daily with sin O Lord,
I strive to resist its allure,
But if I should fall Beloved, recall,
Your Cross vanquished its power.

Cover me with Your mantle O Lord,
Snuggled close to Your heart,
Satan won’t dare assail and ensnare,
With intent to tear us apart.

Safely sheltered in You O Lord,
Hid ‘neath the wings of Your care,
I can acquire the strength I desire,
As long as I tarry there.

Myra D’Souza / 16^th March 2011

HOPE IN HIM

 

Hope is heaven’s promise, 

That the sun is shining bright,
Even though dark shadows loom,
To swallow up the light.

Hope declares to everyone,
That it has never failed,
Espouse your faith to hope and you,
Will never be dismayed.

Hope when rooted deep in faith,
Will spring eternal fruit,
It lives up to its sacred pledge,
That it is wed in truth.

The door to hope can be unlocked,
The key is to concede,
To the grace of God that will,
Ensure you succeed.

If you place your hope in Him,
His promise He will keep,
Peace and joy will flood your soul,
The well of God runs deep.

Myra D’Souza / 16th February 2011

MOVEMENT OF LOVE

His love for me each morning,

As silent as the dawn,
Awakes my quiescent spirit,
Without reserve I am drawn.

His call begins in cadence,
Measured, soft and low,
Moving from key largo,
To swell in crescendo.

My captive spirit urges me,
To raise my heart in prayer,
Surrendering my being,
To my Beloved’s care.

Prostrate before His Majesty,
I sing in joyful praise,
The tabernacle of my heart,
Radiates His grace..
 
 He knows I am unworthy,
But He  loves me anyway,
With generous abandon,
He blesses me each day.

Myra D’Souza / 15 February 2011

I AM NOT ALONE

I will walk with You my Lord,

No matter where you lead me,

I will stay by You my Lord,

No matter where we go.

Though the road is dark as night,

And narrow is the pathway,

With my hand in Yours I know  -

I never am alone.

My life has had its share of pain,

I’ve tasted joy and sorrow,

Death has strode in boldly,

As it claimed with  wanton force.

How often I have drowned in tears,

But in my darkest hours,

Unfailingly my Lord I've known -

I am not alone.

Recently the gloom of night,

Enshrouded me in shadow,

Agonizing grief and loss,

Overpowered my soul.

Vanquished for a while I lost,

Awareness of Your power,

Forgetting for a while that I -

Never am alone.

Every time I feel bereft,

And sorrowing I falter,

You deign to stoop from heaven,

Embracing me once more,

How wonderful it is to know,

That in my darkest hours,

You reassure me once again -

I am not alone.

Myra D’Souza / 6 January 2011