Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI’s US Visit,2008
A poetic synopsis
It was succor to a nation
That still grieved;
The people prayed for those bereaved;
The Pope arrived with Christ as Hope;
The Catholics here, no longer in darkness
Would ev’r grope;
They saw the master teacher-
Theologian and Chief Pastor;
He came here with a clear-cut aim
And was clear victor in the game.
He uttered words with precision;
He made all see his great vision;
The Apostle showed profound care;
His speeches were a balm, so rare;
He strengthened his brothers’ cause,
As faith here was on a downhill course.
His every word was meaningful;
His every gesture purposeful;
His advice was so powerful;
His visit here, so wonderful!
He maintained a catholic identity;
In his entire mission;
He spoke always with passion;
He showered his compassion
On the victims of sexual abuse;
Such sin and crime had no excuse.
He tried to heal the people’s wounds
Applying balm on hearts by rounds;
He stressed upon the human dignity;
Marriage, family, global solidarity.
World’s leaders had to be cautious;
His statements were not noxious;
The world needed freedom and peace,
Help and cure from every disease.
All basic human rights were important;
To all Christians, he said, ‘May they be one! ’
All people were held in awe;
He told them about Natural law.
One’s faith must be reflected in one’s life;
Christ was the only Hope to global strife.
He spoke to all cadres of his flock;
‘Our actions should lead us to Peter’s rock.’
The people prayed and laughed and cried;
They worshipped Christ with renewed pride.
For six days full, he held
the nation spell-bound;
He reminded all of the need
To encounter the living God;
He came, He saw and
conquered with care.
They celebrated his birthday-
A new birth for the great nation!
copyright by Dr John Celes 4-22-2008
poem by John Celes
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Related quotes
The Pope in US
(A poetic gist by Dr John Celes, India)
A historical moment for the world;
Pope 265 set foot on US soil;
Pope Benedict XVI was his name
The Apostle of peace and human rights;
He planned his itinerary with shrewdness;
He touched upon all themes that plague the world;
He brought the only hope to US- Christ;
‘With faith, let’s encounter the living God.’
He timed his visit when he thought most fit;
‘Humanism must be revived quickly.’
Modern world dabbled with key issues now.
The foundation of faith was in doldrums.
The heart of man could not be won by war;
For lasting peace, dialogue was needed;
He left his mark, indelible behind;
America could not forget the Pope!
The Gentle Giant spoke in candid terms;
The world cannot rely on human strength;
The help of God was needed doubtlessly;
He brought to US blessings from heaven!
The nation’s heart and mind was enraptured;
They heard the Pope’s message most lovingly;
God’s humble servant made them even laugh;
All human life was sacred until death!
All Catholics were directed to follow
The teachings of the Holy Catholic Church;
They should reflect their faith in daily lives;
And leaders weren’t exception to this rule.
Human sexuality was sacrosanct;
All clerics must be pure in heart and soul;
Few good priests were better than many bad;
The Church and world were at cross-roads today!
Society’s foundations were crumbling fast!
Good families formed framework of the church;
Morality couldn’t be thrown to the winds;
Freedom entailed preserving one’s virtues.
Vicar of Christ- the Pope lauded US;
‘May God bless America even more! ’
Americans should set an example
In earthly life to others in the globe!
Prez Bush saw God very eyes of Pope!
Pope came to feed those souls hungry for God;
He prayed terrorists’ hatred hearts too change;
Love was the one weapon to win all wars!
The world was glad to see Pope in US!
May be, God would do miracles through him;
‘The sheep were happy with their Good Shepherd! ’
May be, the world would make a new beginning!
Copyright by Dr John Celes 4-22-2008
poem by John Celes
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Sonnet: The Pope’s (Benedict XVI) Visit to America,2008
Vicar of Jesus Christ on earth- The Pope
Comes to remind Americans about
Renewing faith in God, the only hope
To every nation, without any doubt.
Progress, peace, prosperity- are all things
Bestowed on people who believe in Christ,
Who is the truth, light, way to more blessings
That comes from Heaven (God) in the Highest.
No mighty nation stays always with pow’r,
Unless the people pray to God by heart;
No man is imperishable, a flow’r;
All human beings must one day depart.
God chooses leaders, kings as per His choice-
The victor listens to Almighty’s voice!
Copyright by Dr John Celes 4-16-2008
poem by John Celes
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Ballad: Pope Benedict XVI in US,2008
The Apostle of peace had come:
Pope Benedict by name;
To US, where he was welcome,
With missionary aim.
‘Let faith in earthly life, God find;
Christ is the only hope,
For modern world, and all mankind, ’
Said Benedict, the Pope.
In doldrums lies, world of today;
Man’s faith in God is weak;
Most think that science has final say;
So, God, most men don’t seek.
‘Let faith in earthly life, God find;
Christ is the only hope,
For modern world, and all mankind, ’
Said Benedict, the Pope.
The family in danger lies;
Now love does not prevail;
As virtues are replaced by vice;
And freedom blows like gale.
‘Let faith in earthly life, God find;
Christ is the only hope,
For modern world, and all mankind, ’
Said Benedict, the Pope.
The quest for God is dying fast;
Rely men in own toil;
‘The mole is mound’- all sins of past!
Man’s soul is on the spoil.
‘Let faith in earthly life, God find;
Christ is the only hope,
For modern world, and all mankind, ’
Said Benedict, the Pope.
With fervent prayers, send your pleas,
To God who is above;
The caring God will surely ease
Your problems, with great love.
‘Let faith in earthly life, God find;
Christ is the only hope,
For modern world, and all mankind, ’
Said Benedict, the Pope.
Encounter living God in life;
Blessings will follow then;
God cares for you in any strife;
Keep eyes upon Heaven.
‘Let faith in earthly life, God find;
Christ is the only hope,
For modern world, and all mankind, ’
Said Benedict, the Pope.
Though holy is matrimony,
And sacrosanct is sex,
Man sins for sake of more money,
In ways that all can vex!
‘Let faith in earthly life, God find;
Christ is the only hope,
For modern world, and all mankind, ’
Said Benedict, the Pope.
Like love of God that radiates,
Let man’s heart do like-wise;
Let’s take the narrow road to Gates
Of Heaven; Be soul-wise!
‘Let faith in earthly life, God find;
Christ is the only hope,
For modern world, and all mankind, ’
Said Benedict, the Pope.
Copyright by Dr John Celes 4-23-2008
poem by John Celes
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
The Christmas Message
The Christmas message we must herald, is Christ came for all the world,
When Our Lord left His Eternal Throne, to come to a people all His Own,
As Christ came to the nation Israel, as the Word of Prophecy He’d fulfill,
John the Baptist witnessed for Him, coming to save His people from sin.
In a human form He’d condescend, so Spirit of Truth we’d comprehend,
Coming to earth as Light and Truth; to dwell among men as living proof.
But the Nation Israel, God’s Elect, regarding John’s witness would reject,
The Lamb of God and His Salvation, sent by God, to His Chosen Nation.
In Jesus Christ men saw Eternal God, who came to walk this earthly sod,
Jesus condescended to you and me, the God of Heaven and of Eternity.
The very essence of God, was Christ, Who had come to be His Sacrifice,
To give His people a Hope and Peace, that from God would never cease.
Christ was born through a human birth, to dwell with man upon this earth,
Flesh we could see, touch and hear; the Eternal God men reverently fear.
Proof sent from His Father above, to demonstrate for everyone His Love,
Sending His Only Son, Jesus Christ, to earth, to grant all men Eternal Life.
The Eternal Creator, of all things, came to this earth, as The King of kings,
To give His very life a ransom for all, to redeem all men, from Adam’s fall.
God came in Grace and affirmation, through Jesus Christ, to every nation,
So, if in His Son you’d only believe, Eternal Life in Him you would receive.
(Copyright ©12/2008)
Pope John Paul II (A Biography Poem Sequence-4)
Faith of the Millennial Pope: contd
He prayed to Mary and all saints,
And drew from them, his divine paints,
That sketched the glorious work of God,
And brought more souls to Lord’s abode!
Faith sustains man throughout his life,
Providing answers for things rife;
His passion for depicting truth,
Did bear him ultimately, fruit.
The pope, a philosopher great
Was preacher too, with clean a slate;
He loved all mystical debate;
Communism, he did well hate!
His link with God was quite profound;
His faith had strong roots in Poland;
The murders of the Holocaust,
An upheaval of heart had caused.
He fought against ‘culture of death’;
He was Christ-centered right from birth;
Spirit mattered in life on earth;
Christ was the crucified God-Mirth!
How could man live in harmony
Away from God, with just money?
How could there be a destiny
Without a true eternity?
To him, Christ was the only hope,
For mankind’s woes, and every pope;
That came from suff’ring on the cross,
And showed that Christ was God and Boss!
Copyright by Dr John Celes 12-01-2009
poem by John Celes
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Reflecting On Independence
We have freedom living every day, a liberty no man can take away,
Not the rights, a nation may give, in the land that one may now live,
It is a freedom they cannot herald, a freedom apart from this world,
The freedom Christians speak of, that comes from our Lord above.
Dispensed by The Lord and Creator, to all who come to The Savior,
A freedom in our Lord Jesus Christ, granted to us for all of this life,
Once we accept Christ in our heart, God’s Liberty shall never depart,
When in Christ, you become free; God’s Liberty carries into Eternity.
A nation’s laws we have now learned, by leaders can be overturned,
When by evil, they are driven; to repeal rights men were once given.
Under assault is our Godly Faith, we receive, strictly through Grace,
We see many rights slipping away, as moral laws continue to decay.
Rights established by any nation, lack a firm and Godly Foundation,
The laws built upon shifting sand, in coming days just will not stand,
As the nation faces amoral blight, as immorality then becomes right,
With righteousness all in the past, personal freedom just will not last.
Reflecting on Independence friend, will our Personal Freedoms end?
Here, where our fathers achieved, the liberty, we as citizens received,
It is times like this we are assured, of the Freedom in Christ our Lord,
That no nation can take from us, once in Christ we have put our trust.
(Copyright ©07/2009)
Pope – Jesus Christ’s the Only Hope
A Poetic Excerpt (I) from his speech to US Bishops
For modern world, the only hope is Christ –
The soul of man needs God for sustenance;
One’s loyalty to Holy See is prime;
Let Catholics strengthen bonds with Peter’s See.
America is great a nation sure;
The US Catholics fervently do pray;
Let me commend all believers to God;
Let’s thank God for the gift of grace to Church.
Let world’s largest community today –
The Catholics shine their light to all around,
And spread the Gospel to all fellow-men;
Let them too see your work and thank the Lord.
Welcome all immigrants to join your fold,
And share their joys and sorrows and trials;
Support the poor and needy as usual;
You’re well known for your generosity!
American aid for all disasters,
Within the country and that globally,
Is ample proof of generous a heart:
That needs thanksgiving to the Almighty!
This country is a land of strong a faith;
They worship God with fervor and great pride;
Their arguments are based on Bible truths;
You are a witness to Lord Jesus Christ.
I exhort you, brother bishops to sow
The seeds of Gospel in this fertile soil,
And help the Vine of Hope in Christ grow well,
And lead souls to encounter living God.
Let your beliefs and teachings of the church
Be practiced in your professional lives;
Let’s not exploit the poor and downtrodden;
Let sex be sacred and per moral thought.
Let’s safe-guard right to life until one’s death;
Let faith permeate every Catholic’s life;
Let affluence not hamper thirst for God,
Nor block the progression of soul to Him.
Let’s not forget our ultimate life’s aim;
Let’s drink from wells of God’s infinite love;
Let’s not believe in science and own efforts;
Our lives are empty if not God-centered.
Let’s cultivate our bonds with Jesus Christ;
The goal of all our work is only this;
Our cultural roots shouldn’t make us anti-God;
It should promote our faith in Almighty.
Faith must be founded on a basis sound;
Encounter God through Savior Jesus Christ.
While medical advances offer hope
Anew, it raises Ethical questions;
Health-care Providers need your counseling
To keep Christ in their every endeavor.
Free speech must solve today’s moral questions;
The Gospel must be spread throughout the world;
Let Catholic views guide all moral queries;
Open all minds and hearts to moral truths.
Let laity act as ‘leaven’ for masses,
In unison with Catholic Church’s teachings;
Ensure morality in clergy too;
A healthy family and home brings peace.
Enhance the virtues in the family
-Love, mutual help, forgiveness and concern;
The family is the basis of the Church;
Divorce, infidelity have increased.
The sanctity of marriage bond is less;
A civil bond seems coming up so fast;
Catholic marriages are on the wane,
While cohabitation is on the spate;
Denied are children, moral up-bringing;
The bishop forms the pastoral Care-taker;
The ‘Yes’ to ‘pro-life’, love must resonate
In families, while yearning for the Lord.
Copyright by Dr John Celes 4-18-2008
poem by John Celes
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Tryst with Destiny (in poem form for India’s 64th Independence Day)
And when the clock struck twelve midnight,
Fourteenth, august, forty-seven,
An Asian nation turned awake,
While world slept on in slumber deep!
A hundred years of freedom fight
Came to a grinding halt that night,
As Pandit Nehru gave his speech,
‘Tryst with destiny’ with reach!
India awoke to freedom life,
Despite a hundred years of strife,
And took a pledge anew to stay
A nation, free with peace each day!
That moment was so rare indeed;
A nation’s soul was stirred to lead,
And show the world its powerful seed,
As nations totally paid heed.
India’s history thus saw a dawn:
A struggle great ended that morn,
As success finally newborn,
Did Motherland with pride adorn.
With freedom came newer duties;
The failures of the past did cease;
The country was given new lease –
A cure for this strange a disease!
The nation was a sovereign state,
On that magical hour and date;
As leaders vowed to change the fate
Of Indian people’s long a wait.
A star of freedom rose in east,
Heralding celebration, feast;
A hope anew was born that day,
To never cease, oh, come what may!
The star would never set at all –
The Nation’s Father’s clarion call,
The architect of freedom’s hall,
Was Gandhiji (Bapu) , man tall!
He held the torch of freedom high;
Many freedom fighters did die;
And many people heaved a sigh;
As democracy stood too nigh!
‘Jai Hind! Jai Bharat! ’
Copyright by Dr John Celes 8-06-2010
poem by John Celes
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Indian Democracy Can Be Truly Great!
If Indians can be patriotic more,
Democracy will thrive in our country;
If love for Motherland is truly great,
More Indians will get awards o'gallantry.
If leaders elected are more honest,
Elections will be held infrequently;
If people nurture civic sense and toil,
The nation will progress tremendously,
If love of fellowmen afills our hearts,
Poverty, illiteracy can't exist;
If duty to the nation remains first,
India can make a meteoric rise.
If women's, children's freedom is ensured,
The nation can forge ahead in great leaps;
If elderly are taken care of well,
God's blessings will be soon upon this land!
If people care for health and avoid vice,
Crime-rates will fall upon this sacred soil;
If love of peace and co-existence stays,
Exemplary will India become soon.
Jai Hind!
Copyright by Dr John Celes 15-08-2012
poem by John Celes
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
An Eternal Source
There is one man, Jesus Christ, who is the role model of my life,
My friend, His Word I hide inside, He is my shield and my guide.
The never ending source for me, of what through God I can be.
It is The Word of God of course, that Living and Eternal source.
Inspiring men through the ages, with God’s Wisdom on its pages.
And God’s Eternal Wisdom friend, found in The Bible has no end.
God’s Word began back in Eternity, before this world came to be.
His spoken word, penned by men, is the Bible’s source my friend.
Wisdom from its pages flow, challenging Believers as they grow.
Transforming a heart and mind, while leaving all the past behind.
Directed from the dark of night, through its pages filled with light.
Filling up with the mind of Christ, while preparing for Eternal Life.
To Moses God spoke The Law, to a nation both weak and small.
This Law would point every nation, to Jesus Christ, for salvation.
Christ then spoke to Apostle Paul, instituting Grace over the Law.
Through one man all would fall, but in Christ, there’s Grace for all.
Israel was given the oracles of God, to be led by His staff and rod,
To lead all nations to the place, so they could accept God’s Grace.
Grace has appeared to all men, in a world that stood condemned.
This Grace helps us to live our life, while we wait for Jesus Christ.
Friend God’s Divine Revelation, was spoken to reach every nation,
In the last days through Jesus Christ, to lead all men to Eternal Life.
Forgotten will be the words of men, all earthly wisdom that they pen.
Soon their wisdom God will sever, but God’s Word shall last forever.
(Copyright ©11/2005)
They Knew Him Not
Jesus came and they knew Him not, this my friend did cast their lot.
For Jesus was The One to come, The One foretold as David’s Son.
But God’s chosen people Israel, could not see that Christ did fulfill,
Ancient prophecies told by God, and soon will rule with an iron rod.
He was Light they couldn’t see; the Davidic promise destined to be.
He did preach on Israel’s sod, pointing men to the Kingdom of God.
From the Scriptures, He even read, but to a people spiritually dead.
He stayed with His people though, as the one they needed to know.
But Israel, God’s chosen Nation, was obstinate to God’s Salvation.
Instead the leaders plotted to kill, God’s Son, to appease their will.
In their blindness they’d fulfill, God’s Eternal plan on Calvary’s Hill.
As Christ was mocked and scorned, like prophets had forewarned.
Christ was pierced for me and you, and for the Nation of Israel too.
They will see the One they pierced, although for them it isn’t clear.
They’ll be filled with supplication, as God moves His chosen nation,
Then one-third will turn to Him, when Jesus cleanses them from sin.
Until then, God has turned to us, the Gentiles who believe and trust,
Through faith, He’ll return again, bringing Salvation to believing men.
Christ left us a witness as the Light, to come to God before the night.
How much more can you afford, to ignore that witness of The Lord?
(Copyright ©04/2006)
What is Christianity (Catholicism) ?
To live a Catholic life
In an alien land!
To be witness for Christ,
And join the martyrs’ band.
To suffer for Christ’s sake,
And offer them to God;
To bear our cross and walk
In footsteps of the Lord.
To live upto our faith,
No matter how comes strife;
To live with hope in Christ
Is prime in Christian’s life.
To be persecuted
For sake of Christ is true;
And being ill-treated,
The Almighty, we woo.
To read the Word of God
As Bible’s verses tell;
To mitigate our rod,
And never land in hell.
To spread the Word of God
To every person born;
To die a holy death,
And God’s abode adorn.
The road to God is clear
Narrow and only one;
With God, why should we fear?
His love gave us His Son.
To turn a martyr then
For faith and sake of Christ;
If need be, we will die
As Christ shed His blood first!
Copyright by Dr John Celes 3-15-2009
poem by John Celes
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Are We Doing All God Needs?
Are you an influence for The Lord, as you live your daily life?
Or is your witness just ignored, caught up in your daily strife?
We’re to impact the lives men, which we bump into every day,
Now that we are Born Again, to show others God’s Only Way.
Do you live with Christ in mind, called to be for God His light?
When someone may be unkind, treating you in ways not right?
Jesus showed us how to live, and a love that we should show,
And Grace to us He would give, to help others come to know.
Do men see the Light of God, if you walk into a darker place?
In this darkened world you trod, led by the light of His Grace?
For God’s Light we are to be, lifted high by Christ, upon a hill,
Placed where all men can see, and done according to His will.
As you live life in this world, do you point men to God’s Truth?
Is your life for Him a Herald, with your own life as living proof?
It’s God’s Truth we’re to proclaim, to all people of every nation,
In the power of Christ’s name, pointing men to God’s Salvation.
Are we being, as Christ’s bride, the people whom God bought?
Living our lives truly crucified, to walk what we’ve been taught?
Are we doing all that God needs, willing today to pay the price?
Living this life sowing seeds, so others come to faith in Christ?
(Copyright ©02/2008)
What Do You Believe?
Just what is it that you believe, and what does your faith conceive?
If you do believe in a God above, does He fill your heart with love?
Does your faith fill you with peace, that during trials doesn’t cease?
And does it give you lasting hope, that in all trials helps you cope?
Does your faith, when trouble nears, calm and sooth all your fears?
As you are guided by God’s Grace, even through the darkest place.
Does your hope go beyond earth, through the miracle of new birth?
A spiritual birth found in God’s Son, available this day to everyone.
Do you bring Him up to others, who may not be Christian Brothers?
Are you willing to pay that price, to share with others, Jesus Christ?
And if you believe as you claim, why cringe as you hear His name?
Or what, my friend, is even worse, to only use His name as a curse.
Do you make it abundantly clear, that The Lord, to you, is so dear?
That Christ is your soul salvation, according to His own Revelation.
And if you belong to our Lord, God’s revelation cannot be ignored,
For we’ve all been given a mission, to fulfill His Great Commission.
Are you for God, doing your part, by letting Christ have your heart?
To use you to spread His Word, to all around, who have not heard?
So friend if you truly do believe, allow all those around you receive,
His Light and Truth from your life, so they can come to Jesus Christ.
(Copyright ©07/2008)
Corpus Christi
This world needs Christ more than before,
As sins and crimes abound galore;
World’s darkness threatens truth and light,
As sun (Son) looks tarnished, lesser bright!
More clouds of torment fill the sky,
As human babies in wombs die;
More sheep stay scattered, shepherdless,
With scarce meadows and water less.
The Word of God will reach all souls,
As God sends shepherds with new roles;
All Christians ought to sacrifice,
And pray to God to make them wise.
The Omnipotent God will win,
And save mankind from every sin;
So, Christ had died upon the Cross,
And paid the price for sinners’ loss.
The world looks like an empty dream,
As Godless people much more scream;
All basic tenets, morals, codes,
Have reached the treacherous cross-roads!
Just God alone can save the earth,
Destroyed by human faults from birth;
All righteous souls must keep their heads,
As man with another man weds!
Satanic men desecrate Christ’s
Body and blood is spilled unkissed;
Blasphemies rant the air with pride,
As world will not in God abide.
Oh, what a world of Godlessness,
As man loves sin and more darkness!
Though Nature hits him cruelly,
The love of God remains truly.
The answer to all worldly woes
Is Corpus Christi – wisdom shows;
Let Christians live by Word of God,
And take away the curse and rod.
O God on High, shower your grace
Improving man’s deceitful face;
Let faith afill all hearts and minds,
As man in Godliness, peace finds!
Copyright by Dr John Celes 30-05-2010
poem by John Celes
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Jesus Christ, Our Hope, Strength and Refuge!
For sins of human beings all,
Lord Jesus laid His life on cross;
Although a sin-free soul Himself,
He suffered, died to redeem man.
He shed His every dropp of blood,
Emancipating human race
From punishment by hell for sins –
Such heinous crimes upon the earth!
The cross is part of Christian’s life,
And persecutions will happen,
As Christ predicted all these things,
For those who walked in His foot-steps!
His Holy Spirit guides Christians,
Who live a righteous life for Christ,
The only Son of Almighty –
A heart of immense love for man!
But Christ resurrected from death!
He won clear victory o’er satan;
All Christians good will do the same;
This faith is something strangely true.
Let humiliations come in life!
Let trials, tribulations come!
Let strife threaten our faith and hope!
Christ stays with us till end of time!
A Christian takes his cross and walks
Behind the Savior, Jesus Christ –
The Light and Truth and only Way
To reach Heaven, abode of God!
Copyright by Dr John Celes 3-31-2009
poem by John Celes
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
The World Gets a New Pope! - (a prose poem)
Death spares no one!
Death spares no earthling!
Death spares no human being!
Death cuts the thread of life certainly;
And the Pope is no exception!
Pope John Paul II is no more!
The old shepherd had finally passed away;
He was eighty-four when he died;
He fell ill twice quite seriously;
He was Pope for nearly 26 years!
He was the ‘most traveled Pope’ and was a Poet too!
And he stood steadfast in all his spiritual endeavors;
He braved ‘the storms and calmed the seas that tried to capsize the Roman Catholic Ship’!
He led His flock to the Rock!
But some sheep did stray away;
Some had lost their faith;
Some went in search of ‘greener grass in newer meadows’;
But these were the souls which were dissatisfied, distraught and diseased!
A new Shepherd had been finally chosen!
Holy smoke from the Sistine Chapel’s chimney!
On three occasions, it remained black!
The anxious flock stayed back in St.Peter’s Square, all day and night!
They prayed fervently to God to give them a new Shepherd soon;
But each time they saw the black smoke, their hearts filled with sadness;
Yet, their faith never dithered;
The Holy Spirit would answer their prayers fast;
The Holy Spirit had never failed them in the last 2000 years after Jesus Christ!
He had always provided a new Pope whenever the earlier one died;
The people waited anxiously with hope in their hearts that were
already saddened by the demise of Pope John Paul II.
And Lo! There was the smoke again!
But this time, it was white;
The burning of the ballot papers caused the smoke from the Sistine Chapel’s chimney!
And it billowed up into the heavens!
And it was confirmed by the peeling of bells loudly.
A NEW POPE HAD BEEN CHOSEN!
The audio-visual effect was superb;
The flock cheered and sang thanks-giving hymns to the Lord;
They were jubilant and in ecstasy;
The air was rent with ‘Alleluias’!
The Holy Spirit had once more wrought a miracle;
A new Pope had been selected by the secret conclave of 115 cardinals.
God never abandons nor forsakes his flock!
Joseph Ratzinger, a German was the new Pope!
In thirty minutes, he chose the name of Benedict XVI.
He had served as Dean of the College of Cardinals for nearly twenty years earlier;
He was a man of great wisdom;
He was a great Philosopher, Professor of theology and an erudite scholar;
He had stunned the world with his orthodox, traditional approach;
He was simple and understanding, healthy and ever ready for dialogue with other religious leaders;
He was perhaps the best among the rest to lead the Church, in the new millennium;
He would lead the flock of more than a billion Roman Catholic people for the next few years on ‘their road to Heaven’!
‘Hope was reborn in the form of a new Pope’
The new Shepherd would tend to his flock and know each sheep by its name!
And they too would know their Shepherd’s voice and follow his footsteps without any hesitation on ‘The Road to Heaven’!
Copyright by Dr John Celes 21-4-2005
poem by John Celes
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Living Stones
As we taste and see God is good, we become in Christ a brotherhood,
One body of believers in The Word, through the Truth that we’ve heard,
We then become New Living Stones, in Christ, whose sacrifice atones,
Making atonement for all our sin, as God laid all our iniquity upon Him.
Upon The Rock God builds each stone, upon The Savior, Christ alone,
We’re being built into a dwelling for, The Spirit sent by Christ our Lord.
The Precious Stone is Jesus Christ, who gives all believers a New Life,
While Christ alone, is our foundation, the Cornerstone of our Salvation.
God called us out of our darkness, and fills us with His Righteousness.
Called out from the darkest of night, to be filled with His Glorious Light.
We come to Christ dead in our sin, but, made alive with a Hope in Him.
A Rock and Fortress is our God, a refuge to flee to on this earthly sod.
A chosen people, a Brotherhood; a Holy Nation and Royal Priesthood.
God’s Glory dwells within all of us, when in the Rock we place our trust.
A special people by God’s election, then given by God a new direction,
To point other sinners to eternity, to God’s praise, honor and His Glory.
As Living Stones, we proclaim, God’s Salvation, in the Rock of shame,
Shame for all nations who do reject, the One who saves all God’s elect.
And now a Precious Rock for those, who believed in the One who rose,
It is that Rock of Ages that we praise, as Stones living out earthly days.
(Copyright ©08/2008)
When Christ-centred…
Athirst for Christ,
Must we live first!
With faith and hope,
As things, we cope.
With soul all pure,
And grace as cure,
We march ahead,
Until we're dead.
With mind, heart clean,
And divine scene,
And body cleansed,
Prayers incensed.
‘Our lord is Judge;
We need not budge,
Away from faith, '
God's Word saith!
Our war is won
When in Christ, born;
Why to worry,
Or feel sorry?
With Christ beside,
In God abide,
Let Him decide,
Life's every tide!
Our road is clear;
Heaven is near;
We need not fear
Or ever tear!
The righteous shine,
And will be fine,
As Good Shepherd,
Guides us by Word!
Heaven is nigh
And is no lie;
We need not shy
In Christ, to die.
Copyright by Dr John Celes 27-08-12
poem by John Celes
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Many Who Never Heard
Let the truth be known to all of us, who in God have placed their trust,
There are many who’ve never heard, the Truths we find in God’s Word.
They may believe in a power above, but know not God’s amazing love,
The love we find at the cross, where He displayed His love for the lost.
Let the burden be upon every heart, which by God, has been set apart,
With the Gospel Message to herald, to reach for God, the entire world.
It’s God’s message of reconciliation, to be preached unto every nation,
Proclaiming in Christ, peace with God, to all people on this earthy sod.
We need to help people understand, from every nation and every land,
That God above sent His Only Son, to be Lord and Savior of everyone,
Christ was sent to be the ultimate Lamb, God’s Sacrifice for sinful man,
God had prepared a body for Him; God’s spotless lamb to bear all sin.
The Savior was crucified at Calvary, The Lamb of God, for you and me,
God’s Son was crucified in our place, all ordained through God’s Grace.
Christ, who came down to this earth, to provide every man a New Birth,
Sending His Spirit down, to all men; when in Christ they are Born Again.
Salvation is available to every life, through the Lord’s Son, Jesus Christ,
To free us from the sin of Adam’s fall, all sinful men, both big and small.
This is the message to be preached, until every heart for God is reached,
God’s Love and Grace to all friend, for a life with God, which has no end.
(Copyright ©05/2008)