Poem

Matthew 1:18-24

Emmanuel

In Bethlehem, where love and grace align,

Jesus, my Lord, I love you evermore.

Conceived by Spirit, in a love divine,

Your birth fulfills the ancient sacred lore.

Jesus, my Lord, I love you, pure and true,

In Mary's acceptance, a wondrous grace.

Miraculously conceived, a love so new,

Your will embraced, a sacred, shining trace.

Joseph, guided by an angelic call,

Reveals your righteousness in actions pure.

To be righteous like him, I yearn, enthralled,

A steadfast path, enduring and secure.

Born of the Spirit, divine intervention,

Your origin, a beacon, brightly lit.

In dependence, Holy Spirit's ascension,

Fills my life, as closer to you, I sit.

Joseph, righteous, contemplates your way,

Yet angel whispers guide his tender heart.

Obediently, he heeds, without delay,

Embracing God's design, a sacred art.

Immanuel, a name of hope and light,

"God with us" in your presence we find.

Matthew 1:18-25

Embracing Divine Love

In lineage traced through patriarchs of old,

Davidic covenant in tales unfold.

A God of love and care, Your story's told,

Dear Jesus, I declare, my love unrolled.

Virgin-born, fulfilment of prophecy,

Immanuel, God with us, pure and clear.

Obedient Joseph, in faith drew near,

A righteous path to shape our destiny.

Jesus, my Lord, in love's sweet refrain,

I lift my heart, my gratitude, my gain.

Joseph's struggle, mirrored in my heart,

Yet in Your logic, Lord, I find my part.

Angels to Mary, Joseph played their part,

In my life too, Your angels shall impart.

Fulfilment of prophecies, divine art,

I, too, a piece in Your plan, a vital part.

Open my eyes to love in every chart,

As Joseph's obedience, a work of heart.

Divine and human, Your essence true,

In saying yes, my purpose I pursue.

Matthew 2

Matthew 2:1-12

Dearest Jesus, my Lord, with love profound,

I bow before you, gratitude unbound.

Reflecting on the Magi's tale so grand,

Bethlehem's awe-inspiring moments stand.

Guided by stars, the wise men ventured near,

Seeking the King, the One they held so dear.

A radiant light in night's celestial dome,

Announced the birth, fulfillment of the tome.

Magi's journey led by the star's bright gleam,

To a humble abode, a sacred scene.

With gifts of gold, and incense sweet and myrrh,

They knelt before you, Majesty infer.

Symbolic offerings, kingship, and more,

Acknowledging you, divine to the core.

In every step, in every precious token,

Your kingship, divinity, sacrificial word spoken.

Outsiders, yet with spiritual sight,

The Magi followed the celestial light.

Contrasted by Herod's darkened scheme,

To quash the light, a rival king's dream.

Yet, your intervention, Lord, divine,

Preserved your life, the infant so benign.

Epiphany reminds of a universal plan,

Manifestation to the world, God with man.

Like the Magi, I journey toward your grace,

Working hard, a sacrifice to embrace.

Deviate from peril, find the right way,

Praise, thanks, and love, Lord, I humbly convey.

Matthew 4

Matthew 4:18-22

Yes, I Will Follow You

Feast of Andrew the Apostle

Feast of Andrew the Apostle

In Galilee's embrace, by the rolling tide,

Two brothers, Simon and Andrew, cast wide.

Fishermen, their trade upon the sea,

Called by Jesus, "Follow me," said He.

"Fishers of men," a promise profound,

They leave their nets, their lives unbound.

James and John, by Zebedee's side,

Answer the call, in Jesus confide.

"Fishers of men," a metaphor, divine,

Teaching gospel truths, a sacred sign.

Discipleship's nature, a lesson to glean,

To follow, learn, obey, a journey unseen.

They left their all, a sacrifice untold,

In your footsteps, their story unfolds.

To be your disciple, we humbly pray,

Give us strength, dear Jesus, to walk your way.

From varied walks of life, you chose each one,

Not seeking the trained, but those to be done.

In your divine hands, they were shaped and trained,

Let me, too, learn and call, by your love sustained.

Your call, a purpose that transforms my way,

As brothers of old left all, no delay.

Supreme authority, they did confess,

Let me, too, follow, in humble acquiescence.

To leave behind all, a surrender complete,

In your divine will, my path is replete.

Jesus, my Lord, in discipleship's art,

Guide my steps, a true disciple's heart.

Matthew 5:13-16

You are the Salt and Light

Dear Jesus, my Lord, in You I confide,

You call us salt, of the earth from sin's decay,

A treasure, not to lose its taste or slide

Into the dust, where trodden souls might lay.

You bid us shine, a light upon a hill,

A beacon casting out the night so dense,

Our lives, a testament to Your will,

Guiding hearts to Your holy presence.

Response

Jesus, my Lord, who calls us salt and light,

You charge us to preserve, to teach, to guide,

To bring forth taste in lives, dispelling night,

In Your great truth, let us forever bide.

Dear Lord, may I grow into this grand role,

A beacon bright, against the sin and strife,

A teacher of Your ways, to make hearts whole,

Preserving hope, and giving depth to life.

Let me live a life that's pure and true,

Committed to Your Gospel, firm and clear,

A light that shines in all I say and do,

Illuminating paths, dispelling fear.

May my life reflect Your love and grace,

A lamp that guides, in every time and place.

Matthew 5:17-19

I have come to fulfil the Law

Jesus my Lord, I love You, Light divine,

In You the Law and Prophets find their end,

Fulfillment of the ancient, sacred line,

In life, death, resurrection, You transcend.

Not one small letter from the Law shall fade,

Till heaven and earth themselves have passed away,

In You its purpose fully is displayed,

And righteousness through grace finds perfect sway.

You call us to a deeper, truer heart,

Beyond mere rules, to love's transforming fire,

A righteousness that sets Your ways apart,

And lifts our lives to holy paths, higher.

Lord Jesus, You address misconceptions clear,

Through teachings pure, You guide our hearts aright.

Let me, dear Lord, in truth my lessons steer,

That none may stray but find Your guiding light.

You fulfilled the Law and Prophets' call,

In life, in death, in rising from the grave.

Let me, like You, embrace and follow all,

With love and truth, Your holy Law engrave.

In righteousness You lived and set the path,

So let my life reflect Your perfect way.

Not one who violates or feels the wrath,

But one who loves and faithfully obeys.

Your Law’s true heart is purity and grace,

In love, and mercy, may I find my place.

Matthew 5: 20-26

Jesus’ Righteousness

Jesus my Lord, I love you, pure and true,

You set a standard high, beyond the rest,

Exceeding Pharisees' strict laws we knew,

With hearts transformed, sincerity expressed.

Your words on anger pierce the soul so deep,

Equating it with murder’s dark intent,

Reminding us the wounds that anger keep,

And harsh words spoken, never innocent.

You teach that worship must in love be tied,

With reconciliation as its base,

To mend the breaches, set all wrongs aside,

For only then can we behold your face.

Response

Jesus my Lord, I love you, guide my ways,

With righteousness and grace, my heart transform,

In loving You and others all my days,

Thank You for showing life’s true, high reform.

Yes, Lord, I know it’s not just outward show,

But inward change, the heart's sincere embrace,

To walk the talk, in truth and love to grow,

A person of the heart, not just of face.

You teach that anger’s like a hidden knife,

Destroying spirit, social bonds, and mind,

Help me to shun contempt and verbal strife,

In love and peace, true righteousness to find.

In humility and peace, let me reside,

Resolve disputes with grace, You by my side.

Matthew 5:27-32

Purity of Mind and Heart

Purity of Mind and Heart 

Jesus my Lord, I love You, hear my plea,

Your words of truth, a beacon in the night,

In heart and mind, Your call to purity,

A guide to turn our darkness into light.

"You shall not lust," You teach with wisdom pure,

For sin is born within our secret thought,

Our hearts You cleanse, our motives to ensure,

That inward righteousness is truly sought.

"If eye or hand should lead to stumble's fall,

Remove with zeal, for sin's price is too high,"

Your call to action, drastic and withal,

To live for You, our hearts and hands must try.

In marriage too, Your covenant holds tight,

In faithfulness, we honor in Your sight.

Dear Jesus, You were teaching from the Mount,

To crowds and to disciples, truth profound,

You taught us righteousness of God's account,

With purity of heart our lives must sound.

You cited first the law 'gainst adultery,

Yet emphasized the sin within the heart,

That lustful thoughts, too, lead to infamy,

And from our inner selves we must depart.

You call me to a holiness so pure,

A standard that begins in thought and deed,

Your words instruct me how to thus ensure,

That from all sinfulness I shall be freed.

In marriage, too, You uphold sacred vow,

To guard the weak, to which I do avow.

Matthew 5:38-42

Active Love of the Kingdom

Active Love of the Kingdom

Jesus my Lord, I love You, hear my plea,

Your words "eye for eye" in ancient law reside,

Justice meant to curb man's cruelty,

Yet from this path, Your love bids us to slide.

"Turn the other cheek," You gently implore,

Not passive, but with grace our foes to meet,

Transforming hearts through peace and so much more,

Breaking chains of vengeance, love's pure feat.

"Give your coat as well," Your wisdom does unfold,

Radical generosity You command,

In a world where garments were worth more than gold,

Trust in God, our true wealth, firmly stand.

"Go the extra mile," Your call we embrace,

True freedom found in love's enduring grace.

Response

Dear Jesus, You abolished law’s harsh sway,

A radical departure You impart,

To "turn the other cheek," Your words convey,

With dignity and grace, we play our part.

To suffer pain for Your kingdom’s cause,

In readiness, we bear each heavy blow,

Giving more than asked, without a pause,

In radical generosity, we show.

To walk an extra mile, our love extends,

Transforming forced acts with hearts so free,

Prepared to lose, for love that never ends,

To serve our foes with true humility.

Open-handed lives, reflecting grace,

In love, mercy, and sacrifice, we place.

Matthew 5:43-48

Love Your Enemies

Jesus my Lord, I love You, hear my plea,

You spoke of love beyond the common way,

To love one's neighbor and hate one's enemy,

But Your command brings forth a brighter day.

"Love enemies, and pray for those who spite,"

You teach us love that knows no bounds or end,

A love that mirrors your eternal light,

In every foe, you see a heart to mend.

Your sun on good and evil both does shine,

Rain falls on just and unjust all the same,

Impartial love, a testament divine,

To be Your children, worthy of Your name.

Perfect in love, as You, our path to trod,

Reflecting in our hearts the love of God.

Response

Dear Jesus, it is my desire to grow,

Beyond the common path, to your embrace,

Your call to love my enemies, I know,

Requires a heart transformed by boundless grace.

Radical love, not based on give and take,

A love that’s true, no strings to hold it tight,

Let me embrace it, Lord, for your own sake,

To love as you have loved, in purest light.

An active choice, a discipline profound,

In every soul, your image I will see,

My brothers, sisters, everywhere around,

Your universal love shall set me free.

To be as perfect as my God above,

A life of holiness, a life of love.