Inspirational Sonnets by George K. Johnson (1920-2007), used with permission
Saint Thomas the Apostle, December 21
THOMAS, SKEPTICAL APOSTLE
A Galilean Jew, Thomas was known
For questioning what e’er he held in doubt.
When risen Christ to him His wounds had shown,
A humbled Thomas hailed Him with a shout,
"My Lord and My God!" Thus the first was he
Of followers to laud Christ’s sovereign state.
Much legend tells how Thomas proved to be
To India’s throngs Christ’s foremost advocate.
Their "Christians of St. Thomas" still attest
Some seven Churches founded by their seer,
Converting thousands to our Lord confessed
‘Til slain in prayer by Brahmin soldier’s spear.
For Indians saved so widespread is his fame
Two postage stamps there issued bear his name.
Collect: ALMIGHTY and everliving God, who, for the greater confirmation of the faith, didst suffer thy holy Apostle Thomas to be doubtful in thy Son's resurrection; Grant us so perfectly, and without all doubt, to believe in thy Son Jesus Christ, that our faith in thy sight may never be reproved. Hear us, O Lord, through the same Jesus Christ, to whom, with thee and the Holy Ghost, be all honour and glory, now and for evermore. Amen.
Saint John, Apostle and Evangelist, December 27
Collect: MERCIFUL Lord, we beseech thee to cast thy bright beams of light upon thy Church, that it, being illumined by the doctrine of thy blessed Apostle and Evangelist Saint John, may so walk in the light of thy truth, that it may at length attain to life everlasting; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
JOHN, BELOVED APOSTLE AND EVANGELIST
Beloved of Jesus, John was always there
At His defining moments; saw our Lord’s
Divine transfiguration; helped prepare
Jesus’ Last Supper where Gospel records
John close to Him, reclining on His chest;
Was present at the Cross on Calvary
Where dying Christ to him made last bequest:
His mother’s personal care John’s legacy.
A "pillar" of the early Church, John wrote
His Gospel and three holy letters’ scripts.
Whence Patmos sent, his visions did he note
In his self-prophesied Apocalypse.
Of love esteemed our Scripture’s foremost sage,
John died in Ephesus a ripe old age.
HOLY INNOCENTS
Uneasy so was cruel King Herod’s crown
He slew his sons and wives for baleful views.
So, having heard that Wise Men asked if known
The whereabouts of Him born King of Jews,
He had them queried when this Child presaged
And where; then issued orders to condemn
To death each male child two and under aged
His troops could trace in all of Bethlehem.
Our Lord was saved to Egypt, but forlorn
Were countless families of this Holy Land
From whom their infants were so cruelly torn
By edict of mad Herod’s fearful hand.
Of babes a massacre by all abhorred,
Innocents martyred for our infant Lord.
The Holy Innocents, December 28
Collect: MERCIFUL Lord, we beseech thee to cast thy bright beams of light upon thy Church, that it, being illumined by the doctrine of thy blessed Apostle and Evangelist Saint John, may so walk in the light of thy truth, that it may at length attain to life everlasting; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Circumcision of Christ, January 1
Collect: ALMIGHTY God, who madest thy blessed Son to be circumcised, and obedient to the law for man; Grant us the true circumcision of the Spirit; that, our hearts, and all our members, being mortified from all worldly and carnal lusts, we may in all things obey thy blessed will; through the same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
CIRCUMCISION OF JESUS
The child was circumcised on his eighth day,
Named Jesus as by angels well foretold;
‘Marked in the flesh’ to follow in the way
Of God’s covenant with Abraham of old.
‘Twas thus God pledged his Son to keep the Law
Of Moses as a mortal Israelite,
Though charged to elevate the Church he saw
From one of laws to one of “love’s pure light.”
This rite, too, was symbolic when it shed
For first time our Lord’s blood in sacrifice
As it so few years later would be bled
To His death to redeem us and suffice.
But Jesus named himself in epigram:
"Before Abraham was," he said, "I am."
The Confession of Saint Peter, January 18
Collect: ALMIGHTY Father, who didst inspire Simon Peter, first among the apostles, to confess Jesus as Messiah and Son of the living God: Keep thy Church steadfast upon the rock of this faith, that in unity and peace we may proclaim the one truth and follow the one Lord, our Savior Jesus Christ; who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, on God, now and forever. Amen.
Saints: December through January
Collect: GRANT, O Lord, that, in all our sufferings here upon earth for the testimony of thy truth, we may steadfastly look up to heaven, and by faith behold the glory that shall be revealed; and, being filled with the Holy Ghost, may learn to love and bless our persecutors by the example of thy first Martyr Saint Stephen, who prayed for his murderers to thee, O blessed Jesus, who standest at the right hand of God to succour all those who suffer for thee. our only Mediator and Advocate. Amen.
STEPHEN, FIRST CHRISTIAN MARTYR
Young Stephen full of Holy Ghost, ordained
One of first seven deacons of Christ’s flock,
Did such "great wonders" that his foes complained,
A lie, that he did God and Moses mock.
Put speedily to trial, he spoke such truth
That none could contradict him, but then fired
Their wrath with vision of, forsooth,
Our Lord beside our Living God inspired.
Mobbed by the council, dragged into the street,
Stephen was cruelly stoned by them to death
While Saul of Tarsus watched his murder, mete
For "blasphemer" to pray his final breath.
Thus Stephen, once a new star blazing bright,
Was snuffed out in Sanhedrin’s fearful night.
CONFESSION OF PETER
When Jesus asked, "Whom say you that I am?"
Of His apostles, Simon at His prod
Confessed his faith completely without sham,
"Thou art the Christ, Son of the Living God."
Then Jesus blessed him; named him Peter, thus
The solid rock on which His Church would rise;
Gave him the keys to Heaven’s Kingdom plus
The power to bind or loose as earthly wise.
So Peter ranked as chief among those called
By Christ to preach His word for all to hear.
Untutored, bold and brash, he never stalled
In his pursuit of converts to adhere;
Denying Christ, rebuking Him, and yet
Most fervent follower Christ e’er had met.
The Conversion of Saint Paul, January 25
Collect: O GOD, who, through the preaching of the blessed Apostle Saint Paul, hast caused the light of the Gospel to shine throughout the world; Grant, we beseech thee, that we, having his wonderful conversion in remembrance, may show forth our thankfulness unto thee for the same, by following the holy doctrine which he taught; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
