Why Ash Wednesday?
The tender palm-leaves, light-green, pliable,
That were plucked off the tree last year and blessed,
And turned into crosses of various kinds,
Adorning homes and protecting from harm!
Those very leaves had served their good purpose;
Now old and withered, they are turned to ash,
Reminding mankind’s transient earthy stay:
We came from dust, we go back to that state!
Though man may reach a state like all things else,
He is created in a different way,
With purpose to be holy like the Lord,
Who breathed His life although we’re made from clay!
Make sign of cross with ash upon forehead;
Begin the Lent, God-given to repent;
Ask forgiveness of sins, reconcile, man
With God; let soul be filled with newer grace!
Begin your walk with God in Heaven’s road;
Keep praying, asking Him for help en way;
Control your urges; do more charity;
Like Jesus Christ, we will too rise that day!
Copyright by Dr John Celes 2-17-2010
poem by John Celes
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Sonnet: Life’s Crosses
The little crosses coming in life’s way
Sometimes appear heavier than we carry;
We trudge and struggle forward, come what may;
Our weak spirit, the Lord, tries to query!
The Cross that Jesus carried years ago
Reminds our burden is a trivial one;
Christ suffered, died for mankind’s sins and so,
Devils, from men, are always on the run.
The grace of God instils a hope anew;
The walk with God is easier than before;
But reach heaven, not many can but few;
The road is narrow and so is its door!
Yet, all can make it if you well repent;
So, every year, the Lord gives us a Lent!
poem by John Celes
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Listen to Jesus’ Call
The man I know as Jesus,
Is Son of God, Most High;
-Conceived by Holy Spirit
In Virgin Mary’s womb!
He came to save all sinners
By death upon the cross;
He resurrected third day,
And showed his Godly powers!
What love has Father shown us!
Though earthlings don’t deserve;
He sacrificed His Son’s life,
To pay souls’ freedom price!
Now all can go to heaven,
If we can follow Christ;
Take up your cross and walk then
In footsteps of the Lord.
Renounce the work of devils;
Put trust in Jesus Christ;
He comes to judge all mankind,
When He comes second time!
Repent for sins of past years;
Reconcile with the Lord;
Remember Heaven’s nigh
For righteous and upright.
Jesus can forgive sins all;
Just ask and be made pure;
He waits in Heaven’s glory
For every soul, He made!
Oh, what a wonder God is!
He’s awesome, most loving;
His mercy is infinite
Listen to Jesus’ call!
Copyright by Dr John Celes 10-11-2009
poem by John Celes
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Good Friday...
Behold the wood that went to make the cross
That bore the Saviour Lord, King Jesus Christ:
The holy cross at Calvary on which
Was hung, the Redeemer of mankind race!
That man was only Son of God in flesh,
Who suffered, shed His precious blood as price
For every sin of everyone on earth,
Of Adam and of Eve in lineage!
It wasn’t about the cross that Jesus bore;
It was about the One who hung on it!
He came to earth as Mary’s baby boy,
And gave to men the Good News, peace and joy!
The cross of wood assumed significance
When Jesus died upon it for our sins;
The sacrifice supreme was love of God
For creature man of clay whom He had made!
When Christ resurrected upon third day,
And won o’er death and satan for all times,
The holy cross became the weapon sole
That scares away the devils back to hell!
The cross became the symbol of Christians,
Reminding man of Salvation for all,
As Christ had paid the price on our behalf,
And turned to be the Truth, Light, Way to God!
The holy cross beckons each one of us
To take up each one’s cross and follow Christ;
It is the only hope for all mankind
As life on earth becomes so meaningful!
God’s Love was born on Christmas day as Christ!
Man’s sins nailed Him to death upon the cross!
Christ’s obeisance to Father freed mankind
If repentant, from Fiery Pit of hell!
Reflect on passions Christ had undergone,
Before He died upon the holy cross;
Follow His teachings and precepts for man;
Heaven is nigh for sinners penitent!
(22-04-11)
poem by John Celes
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The Lenten Season
Forty days has Lent each year,
For the soul to God endear;
Confess sins to God to hear;
Live a life pure without fear!
Prayer is key primary;
Fasting cleanses mind, body;
One does good deeds, charity;
Heart gets grace and purity.
Time to introspect divine;
Reconcile with Christ, the Vine;
Let remorse make heart to pine
For repentance that turns life fine.
Like Jesus, let's fight devil;
Let us do no more evil;
Lent can heal the soul that's ill;
We must take heaven's road well!
Lent is gift of God that's lent,
And for deeds goods is just meant;
Soul must turn sinless and bent
Erasing stain and all dent!
Copyright by Dr John Celes 25-02-2012
poem by John Celes
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It’s Not About Us
It’s not about me or about you, but, about God, Who sees us through,
Through all the days and times in life, through the joy and all the strife,
For it was The Lord Who created us, in His own image, from only dust,
Then God breathed life into man, and given purpose by His command.
We were created for God’s pleasure, created to be His eternal treasure,
Created for Pure Fellowship with Him, until Satan introduced man’s sin,
But, that fellowship, God repealed, as sin, through Satan was revealed,
As the serpent lied to Adam’s wife, and turned their Paradise into strife.
Today, that fellowship is restored, through God’s Son, Christ, The Lord,
Then He uses believers in this life, to draw others, back to Jesus Christ.
When through a trial or tribulation, we can point men to God’s Salvation,
To that bloody cross of Calvary, where The Savior died for you and me.
And now, in this life, we die for Him, Christ, Who had died for all our sin,
To live our new earthly life for God, lead by Jesus Christ’s staff and rod,
When something becomes a bother, we are here for our Heavenly Father,
As part of our Lord’s purpose and plan, to be God’s Light for every man.
This life which we live is not about us, but, about God, in whom we trust,
About The Lord God and Creator, Who sent to all men a Blessed Savior,
Christ is the reason life’s worth living, as through all, He keeps on giving,
When we live our life in God’s Will, with a greater purpose for us to fulfill.
(Copyright ©01/2009)
A Child's Prayer to Jesus Lord
Jesus, come and make me well;
I am praying day and night;
You are truth and way and light;
Grant me heaven and not hell!
Jesus, heal my ailments all;
You can work miracles fast;
Ignore all my sins of past;
Help me listen to your call!
Jesus, take my grief and woes;
Life on earth is sorrowful;
Faith can make it beautiful;
Put my life back on due course!
Jesus, Lord and King of kings;
Savior of the human race;
God with thousand suns as face;
You provide my needed things!
Jesus, help me love you, God;
You can forgive me my sins;
Make my failures become wins;
Spare me from your fair, just rod!
Jesus, God one incarnate;
Born of Mary, virgin queen;
Make my soul-desert turn green;
Holy God, immaculate!
Jesus, Christ, Creator God;
Fill my empty life with joys;
Help me carry my life's cross;
God of love, you are my Lord!
Jesus, fill my soul with grace;
Free me from all temptations;
Help me pray for souls, nations;
Fix on heaven, my soul's gaze!
Copyright by Dr John Celes 24-05-2012
poem by John Celes
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A Christian’s Journey through the Lenten Season
Fasting for forty days in various ways
Abstaining from animal products and substances of abuse
Renewing our Baptismal vows
Renouncing Satan and his works
Reflecting on the passion of Christ
Doing the ‘Way of the Cross’.
Examining our Conscience
Atoning for our sins of past
Repenting for our lapses
Seeking God’s forgiveness for our sins
Confessing our sins
Reconciling with the Lord
Amending our lives for the future
Avoiding sins
Breaking the habits of sins
Keeping the Ten Commandments of God
Reminding the commandments of the Holy Church
Praying fervently for a better world
Reading the Holy Bible and delving on the Word of God
Giving Alms
Doing charity
Giving Thanks
Preparing the Soul for the Road to Heaven
Filling soul with new grace of God
Welcoming Jesus into our hearts
Inviting God to reside within you
Loving God, the Father, Son Jesus Christ and Holy Spirit
Uniting with God
Renewing our faith in Resurrection and Redemption
Rejuvenating our lives through the sufferings of Christ
Accepting the Will of God in our life on earth
Communicating God’s love unto all mankind
Loving our unfortunate brethren
Forgiving our brothers and sisters and enemies
Meditating on our iniquities and deficiencies
Contemplating on new resolutions to become ‘Nearer to God through Christ.’
Entering into a dynamic relation-ship with Christ
Living in the Holiness of our Lord, the Good Shepherd
Changing our lives in accordance with the tenets of the Living God
Surrendering and submitting to Providence in every sphere of life on earth
Copyright by Dr John Celes 2-9-2008
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Easter 2007
Christ was born;
Christ had died;
Christ had risen;
Christ will come again!
Joy came down to earth
By baby Jesus’ birth;
Hope lost when He died
Was regained forever
When He arose alive
On the third day.
Jesus is our Savior;
Jesus is Redeemer;
Jesus is our Heavenly Lord;
Son of the living God.
Jesus is the love of God
Transformed into man
And dwelt amongst us;
Suffered and died
For all mankind’s sins
On the holy cross,
And resurrected;
So that, all who repent,
Can gain forgiveness of sins
And reach heaven!
(4-7-2007)
poem by John Celes
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What is Lent?
Lent’s a special soul-time, God-lent!
Fervent prayers should rent the air to heaven;
Meant is Lent to mend and make amends in spiritual life;
Repent, empty your sins pent up;
Spent life should make way for an improved one.
Ask God’s forgiveness for all sins to the very last;
Control your mind and body through more fast;
Charity must become your life-ship’s main mast!
Bury the iniquities and life’s short-falls of the past;
Enrich your soul with grace of God vast!
Gain victory in your spiritual war;
Heal the soul’s sinful scar;
Prepare for heaven that’s not afar.
Copyright by Dr John Celes 2-27-2009
poem by John Celes
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Zachaeus Upon The Sycamore Tree
Many of us have heard of Christ;
Some of us know Jesus so well;
Christ is always passing by nigh;
Should we not have a better glimpse?
By heart, we yearn to see Jesus;
We are all sinners in more ways;
Our ears await His loving call;
By spirit, we stay short for Christ!
God sees each human heart in depth;
He knows if it has love or hate;
He gives us chances for more faith;
Sometimes, He comes to us to speak.
A Sycamore helps us see Christ;
There are such trees by every lane;
But we must climb to see Christ well;
The Lord knows secrets of each heart!
Many in sins galore do lie;
Many do have a contrite heart;
For repentance to turn complete,
Penance must be in matching ways!
Why put off seeing Jesus Christ?
The Son of God came for sinners!
Just ask and He will surely come;
Search and you will find Him surely.
Christ longs to dine in each one's home;
He forgives sins by Cross' ease;
He changes lives once and for all;
Must not we reconcile with God?
'Tis easy climbing sycamores!
'Tis easy finding one such tree;
It helps to see Jesus clearly!
Why should we hesitate to climb?
Ignore the world that talks like fools!
Each soul must gain God's redemption;
Let's plead to God for forgiveness;
Let's fill heart with God's saving grace!
There is a price for redemption;
Jesus paid our ransom ahead;
We must walk in His righteous path;
We must enter the narrow gate!
We live in different life's set-ups!
God has a purpose for each one;
We ought to learn the will of God;
True faith alone can lead to Christ!
Christ lives in every one of us;
But we must live in Christ all life;
He sees us well and all the time;
The veil of sin hinders our sight!
There is no time to waste on earth;
We must all be reborn in Christ;
Our faith in God must not waver;
We must be steadfast in Christ Lord.
Let's keep looking for Jesus Lord!
Let's find a sycamore near-by!
Let's climb the tree to see Christ well;
He wants to dine in our dear homes!
Commune with God for He made us;
Alone on earth, we cannot live;
Surrender heart to Jesus Christ;
Heaven is earned right here on earth!
Jesus knows each soul's true state;
Jesus seeks souls with boundless love;
Why live in sins those lead to hell?
Only the fool says, ‘There's no God! '
We must live life much Christ-centered;
Faith must not swerve or keep changing;
Conversion is by grace of God;
Redemption is by love of God.
Ignore the world of vanity;
Be blind to world of heinous sins;
Be deaf to sinful talks of men;
Save your soul and your kith and kin's!
Zachaeus climbed a sycamore,
To catch a better glimpse of Christ;
And when he made up for his sins,
Redemption came to his household!
The lure of world need not deter;
There's lucre in heaven better;
To see God soul must pure remain;
When God calls, we must heed at once!
God speaks to us by Bible's words;
The verses tell us how to live;
God's purpose for our lives on earth
Must be realized by strong faith.
We are all children of same God;
We need to preserve our souls pure;
Our earthly stay is not for long;
Eternity with God is prime!
COPYRIGHT BY DR JOHN CELES 20-11-12
poem by John Celes
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Recipe to Heaven
Acknowledge God’s supreme power;
Have faith in the omniscient God;
Follow what conscience tells in life;
Ask God’s forgiveness for past sins.
Confess sins, reconcile with God;
Empty soul off all sinful trash;
Repent for trespasses past;
Erase blunders and faults done.
Promise to lead a life that’s pure;
Get God’s help to fight Satan;
Dress the soul with garb of grace;
Carry your cross, following Jesus.
Do your duty in all ways;
Surrender your soul to God;
Walk in the footsteps of Christ;
Set your eyes’ gaze towards heaven.
Enter heaven through the narrow gate!
Copyright by Dr John Celes 9-25-2009
poem by John Celes
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Jesus’ Cross
The Holy Cross beckons
To follow Jesus Christ;
The source of strength and joy
To souls, for Lord athirst!
The Holy Cross guides us
To walk upon His steps;
The Son of God had died
To save mankind from sins.
The Holy Cross reminds
To place our trust in God;
Jesus resurrected
To annul man from rod.
The Holy Cross signals
That life has crosses, woes;
Yet, we must tread fearless;
Engages God, our foes!
The Holy Cross goads us
To carry each one’s cross;
Our war with satan’s won,
By Jesus, without loss!
The Holy Cross renews
Our ties with Jesus Lord;
He will come in glory
To judge mankind by Word!
poem by John Celes
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Easter
On Christmas day
Was born a babe,
Who brought forth joy
And peace on earth.
On Easter day,
Lord Christ, who died,
Came back to life
All on his own.
Prophets had died;
Saints too had died;
Great men had died;
But none returned.
Just Jesus Christ
Rose on third day;
He won over death,
And Satan lost.
The death of Christ,
Resurrection,
Victory o’er death
Brought redemption-
For all mankind,
For endless time;
Heaven was now
Open to all.
Sinners who say
‘I’m sorry, God,
And repent well,
Can avoid hell’
Christ paid the price
Of mankind’s sins
By death on cross,
And his suffering.
When we do sins,
They wound the Lord,
And hurt him more
And make him sore,
Let’s rise with Christ;
Renounce Satan,
His pomps and works;
Live for Christ’s sake.
Heaven is ours.
Christ is the way;
He is the Truth;
He is the Light.
Let’s follow Christ
To Calvary;
And heaven-wards:
ETERNITY!
Copyright by
Dr John Celes
4-5-2007
poem by John Celes
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The Way to Heaven
Your friend or foe,
Just love him so;
Admit your sins
To God: Repent.
Jesus Christ
Has paid the price,
By His blood-shed
And death on cross.
Just keep the laws,
God gave Moses,
And see soul’s state
In God’s mirror.
Heaven is home
Of God, most high:
The holiest,
And most perfect.
The one sure way
To heaven is,
The easiest one,
Through Jesus Christ.
The grace of God
And His mercy,
Can save sinners
Who’re penitent.
Just ask yourself,
‘Are you now fit
for heaven if
you die today? ’
Now is the time
To make amends
And walk the lane
With Jesus Christ.
poem by John Celes
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Sonnet: Lenten Reflections
Remove the thought(s) that lead to evil deeds;
Instill the mind with thought(s) to do things good;
Do acts of charity to sow love-seeds;
Remind often the Saviour's Cross of wood!
Lent is the time to start afresh and pray;
Lent is the chance to make amends in life;
Lent is the season when you try to fast;
Lent offers more closeness with God through strife!
Afill the soul with grace through confession;
Allow the Word of God to work its ways;
Reflect about the Lord Jesus' passion;
Relive the love of God by nights and days!
Lent is the special time of year for soul;
Rethink, repent and make divine your role!
Copyright by Dr John Celes 12-02-12
poem by John Celes
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Ash-Wednesday ‘07!
By stroke of twelve,
’Tis Ash-Wednesday:
Lent has begun this year!
Heralded by Fasting, Abstinence
Till Easter-Sunday comes.
Give up meat;
Give up milk;
Give up fat;
Give up wine;
Just give up anything
Dear to your palate.
But most of all:
Give up your sinful ways
And pray,
Making amends;
Reconcile with God.
For,
The Road to Heaven seems to get
Narrower, day by day!
Control your appetite
Control your desires;
Control your excesses;
Control your body’s needs;
Control your mind and heart;
Declare your sins forgotten to God;
Gain His forgiveness.
Cleanse your thoughts
Purify your soul
And walk again with Jesus
Fixing your gaze upon heaven
For,
That’s where we all belong!
Copyright by Dr John Celes 2-20-2007
poem by John Celes
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Lenten Reflections!
When every time I’ve got to fast,
My hunger pangs then seizes me,
I feel so weak and terrible,
Until I eat or drink something!
When every time I make up mind
To keep away from every sin,
The Tempter comes with new techniques,
And makes me fall in sin again!
When every time I reset life,
And repent for my sins of past,
And try to lead a perfect life,
The Tempter baits me with a snare!
When every time I talk to God,
And ask His forgiveness for sins,
And make a promise not to sin,
The Tempter goads me break accord.
When every time I walk with God,
Reminded of His unique love,
And try to keep the Heaven’s road,
The Tempter makes me go astray!
When every time I suffer fall,
The Tempter laughs and mocks at me;
’Tis God who comes to lift me up,
Consoling and comforting me!
Why then should not I follow Christ,
My Savior, who died for my sins?
He brought the earth so nigh Heaven,
Welcoming sinners who repent.
Lent time is to go nearer God;
Lenten desert gives grace to souls;
Lent makes our hearts and minds purer;
Lent affords chance to gain Heaven.
Copyright by Dr John Celes 3-3-2010
poem by John Celes
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Speaking Against ‘Da Vinci Code’ -2
So mean, some try demeaning Christ –
The Son of God, the Almighty;
They know His birth was one divine,
From Virgin Mary, by God’s word!
The Lamb of God was sacrificed
For sins of mankind, on the cross;
The Son of God became a man,
To just fulfill His Father’s wish.
Yes, Jesus knew the Scriptures well;
He had two natures – man and God,
Like two faces of any coin;
As man, he was fully a man!
‘The Son of God could forgive sins’
- The words of Jesus Christ Himself;
Like God, He loved the sinner who
Confessed his sins and made amends.
Christ chose twelve men as Apostles;
May be, some women heard his talks;
Christ won over satan’s designs,
When latter tempted him, at last.
The sinless man called Jesus Christ
Defeated satan, once for all;
And when He rose from death, third day,
He showed his pow’r divine to world.
To mar his name by saying that
Jesus was married, had a son –
Amounts to blasphemy and Lie:
A sin, His Father won’t forgive.
‘Beware you liars of God’s word! ’
Lord Jesus Christ will come again
In glory, as Judge of mankind:
Ask forgiveness, repent for sins!
Copyright by Dr John Celes 5-14-2008
poem by John Celes
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The Holy Cross
O Holy Cross of Jesus Christ!
How must I come to Calvary?
– By giving up world’s pleasures first,
Carrying my own and follow Thee!
O Holy Cross that Christ had borne!
Take me to Heaven’s narrow gate;
Much strife my body does adorn,
My sufferings never abate!
O Holy Cross on which Christ died!
At times, in life I grow weary,
Although in God, I do abide;
With charm all lost, life seems dreary.
O Holy Cross that satan fears;
Then guide me in the way of light;
My stay on earth almost well nears;
Let Truth be always in my sight!
O Holy Cross: eternal sign;
In Jesus Christ, I trust my soul;
In Maker’s Feast, I wish to dine:
My only aim and earthly goal!
O Holy Cross that saves mankind;
Show me the dress of grace to don;
For only pure a heart and mind
Can see the face of God’s one Son!
poem by John Celes
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Lent is:
A battle-time for folks;
Each soul seems like war-zone;
So, circumcise your hearts;
Renounce your sinful crafts.
Think of the good God did;
Repent for sins of past;
Remember: ‘Be perfect,
Like how the Lord, God is.’
Read holy works and books;
Reflect on life’s true worth;
Regain soul’s state of grace;
Retrace your steps to God.
Lent is to spend time lent
In life to search for God;
Lent is a chance to mend
Your ways, avoiding rod.
Lent is the time to lose
Your extra-calories;
Avoid exotic foods;
Recover mind’s lost peace!
Copyright by Dr John Celes 3-10-2009
poem by John Celes
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