Hope

Spoken Word poetry delivered by John-Michael Mader at the opening of the Jubilee Year at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, December 29, 2024

With faith there’s no fear
Don’t disappear for what may appear dead, the thing you dread
Is one act of faith away
A way He will make
But the act of faith is yours to take
So jump down from the balcony
Come join me as we celebrate…

Hope
No absence of faith because to you it may come late
But it’s baking in the oven to turn it from good to great, the blessing is coming and that’s not up for debate
But don’t just sit back and wait don’t hesitate
Work while you wait
Have hope for the situation you dread but work for it because faith without works is dead

Do you believe that God answers prayers?
If you don’t believe, then put it to the test
Soon your answer will turn to ‘yes’
So let’s bless the Lord who says, ‘in Me you will find rest’.

Hope- H-O-P-E
Have open prayer earnestly
It is a necessity on this journey
Jump down from the balcony, there is much to see and greater to be

Hope- H-O-P-E
Hold on pain ends
He welcomes you with open arms and pierced hands
Cast your fears aside, dry your teary eyes
For there are things only He can mend

Hope- H-O-P-E
Hold on patience endures
Like gold tested in fire my hearts one desire is to be holy like He who welcomes me with grace and mercy

Hope is for you too…
The tale I’m going to tell isn’t me but can you guess who it can be

I’ve been to many places
I’ve seen many faces
I’ve tasted many dishes
I’ve seen many wishes
Come through
While being in one

A Welcome door to a room that has none
A window to the world
They say it’s the window of the soul
But look into my eyes and you’ll find two

Yet I’m free and confined both at the same time
It’s a place that can only be mine
I’ve eaten in threes yet each made four
These four walls that I stare at
Dense but see through
These vivid movies if you turn the channel, you will see too

I’m sunk into the freedom of confinement
To meet a place where I can be confident
As it is a place of contentment

John-Michael Mader

Who am I.
I am a prisoner
confined to the freedom of my mind.
A prisoner confined to a cell but free in his mind.
Hope is for you too
Hope if for you, too
The prisoner in chains
Hope if for you, too
The depressed and downtrodden
Hope is for you, too
The one battling with terminal illness
Hope is for you, too
The one who has lost a child
Hope is for you, too
The one who can’t seem to bear a child
Hope is for you, too
The outcast and rejects
Hope is for you, too
We see you, we value you, hope is for you, too

The one that is struggling to make ends meet
Hope is for you, too
The one that can’t seem to find the answer
Hope is for you, too

As these doors open
Like Tasha Cobbs so masterfully sung it
Way-maker, miracle worker, promise-keeper, light in the darkness, my God that is who You are.
That is who You are
That is who He is

As pilgrims of hope, I encourage you to embrace the journey
The highs, the lows
The joys and sorrow
The ups, the down
The smiles, the frowns
The pain, the rain
No matter how tough it gets, run on tirelessly towards the ultimate gain, run steadfast as His love will forever remain the same

So take the leap of faith and enter these doors that hold boundless mercy and grace.
The mercy and grace you need to run this race tirelessly at your pace to a place where rest is sure.

Hope
Hold on, persevere, endure
Open your heart to Him as you walk through this door.

Cast your fears aside for where the presence of God resides hope abides and
Hope never disappoints.