Poem Composed in Honor of Edith Stein……..Martyr

I once believed that martyrs lived in an age long past

and that their fate, by their faith was cast.

That by their choice their blood would shed

as witness to their Lord’s steps they led.

Yet I have come now to see, that martyrs we all begin to be

the moment we reject this world’s sin

yet realize that  this world we are in

is our starting place from which to save

as many souls from the eternal grave

of self that drags so many down

to loss.

I once believed that to follow Him as best I could

I would have to hang  from that Holy Wood

or at least remove myself from this place

which has long rejected His suffering Face.

But long since then have I come to see

that being a martyr can also be

the delicate balance that one must make

to dream in Heaven one must  wake

to this earth’s calls.

For to follow Christ we must pursue the difficult path

a call which brings its own wrath

of leaving, yet cleaving, to our fellow souls

for following Him, demands the goals

to witness His Presence in a world so blind

and see that Presence in those souls we find

who need Him most.

I now believe, that we begin as martyrs with the call perfect

which is ours unless we choose to reject

That we must live our lives as the Hymn

“If anyone comes to me, I want to lead them to Him.”

Copyright, 2012   Gabriel Garnica

Touch The Wood

We fancy ourselves, so close to His call

yet the closer He draws us, the harder we fall

Our pride does allow us, to assert so clear

that there on that Friday, we would have been so near

So simple and easy, to pretend so well

that His Name on our lips, we would gladly tell

All who might wonder, were we of His band

when questioned, crossed the line on the sand

 

Forgive Dear Jesus, this foolish pride

which speaks so much louder, its cowardice to hide

 

We dare to judge Peter, he who did sigh

when told by his Master, three times would deny

Our measure falls on Judas, the one led astray

by a failure to love Jesus, at the end of the day

So certain we motion, our stare left to see

His friends turned impostors, who hastened to flee

Oh Thomas, we utter, so blessed are we

who believe and accept, although we don’t see

 

Forgive, Divine Master, this foolish pride

that counts others’ weakness, though its own faults are wide

 

We want all the glory, and seek all the fame

as if being His follower, was merely a game

His Words and Example, we fail to trace

unlike Veronica, whose love wiped His Face

Words over actions, so convenient a plan

without love our intention, when love makes the man

Like Simon yet worse still, for his was a given task

while we pretend loyalty, while wearing a mask

 

Forgive my Dear Savior, this foolish pride

that sits here in darkness, while for me You died

 

We live in a world, which crucifies Him still

yet do we stand by Him, or do we fulfill

Our own tired agenda, our own selfish schemes

built on facades and pretensions, and feeding on dreams

That we do not need Him, and can push Him aside

to follow a devil, who has consistently lied

that Salvation is out there, just within our grip

without our Dear Jesus, along for the trip

 

Forgive me, my Lord, this foolish pride

steeped in sin and diversions, that I often slide

 

If you want to follow, Our Lord’s gentle plea

then get out of this world’s boat, and walk on the sea

For He will not leave you, and by you remain

to feed and reward you, with Heavenly gain

This world will despise you, as it so often does Him

but this should embrace you, regardless how dim

If you want to feel Him, to live in His Name

then die to this world, for that is one and the same

If you want to follow, His lesson of good

then you must approach His sweet cross, and touch the wood

 

Copyright, 2012   Gabriel Garnica

 

 

I Have Yet To Serve

His Love never ceased

never decreased

and will continue

to reach for me

Yet, I in turn

my chances burn

and will continue

to pull away

His Blessings pile

in single file

and will continue

to teach to me

Yet I discern

with no concern

and will continue

to pull away

His Stare so Pure

as if to cure

and will continue

to feed me

Yet I despair

as if to dare

and will continue

to pull away

He has given me all

beyond His call

and will continue

to serve me

Yet I have yet to serve

with all the nerve

and will continue

to pull away.

Copyright, 2012,  Gabriel Garnica