By Msgr. Bernard Powers

Devoured Word

            Loving Spirit of God,
            You continually invite me to
            the Table of the Word.
            It is an invitation
            to eat frequently..
            As the stream  can never run dry,
            neither is your word
            completely consumed  by the eating.

            It was You, O Lord, who made your words a banquet,
            words giving life and spirit.
            It was You, O Lord, who gave fruit and fruitfulness to your word.

                        He who hears my words
                        and keeps them is my mother
                        and my sister and my brother.

            How important is the searching;
            How necessary is the finding;
            How essential is the devouring.

                        Should we not search for your word?
                        Should we not devour them when found ?
                                    They are life giving.
            As the tree absorbs the rain
            and takes the nutrients from the soil,
            so does my soul take nourishment from your word.
            There is life and refreshment within.

            Loving God,
            as I devour your word
            my faith grows…
            charity blooms…
            and hope soars.
            There is union.

            My spirit is refined
            and there is courage and perseverance.
            I can walk the journey of the day.
            Yea, even more,
            your word sustains me;
            I walk into the night.                       

What a banquet!
                                            Amen  

Sometimes the Word

            Sometimes the word
            is like a delicate wine,
            an elegant sip is a delight
            and a pleasure to the  palate.

                        Let me find this word.

            Sometimes the word
            is like a fresh, ripe peach,
            delicious in taste,
            rich with the ray of the sun.

                        Let me find this word.

            Sometimes the word
            is like a piece of jerky,
            cold, salty, tough, hard
            demanding.

                        Let me find this word.

            Sometimes the word
            is like salted peanuts,
            one leads to another, two wants more.
            One is not enough, and a handful is not sufficient.

                        Let me find this word.

            Sometimes the word
            is like a glass of water,
            refreshing, cooling, life-giving,
            quenching the thirst.
            One is alive.                      

Let me find this word.
                                                     Amen