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Come and See

Come and SeeEpiphany 2; Isaiah 49:1-7; John 1:29-42When Jesus read the Servant’s Songshe understood what he must be,God’s servant: formed in mother’s womb,in life and death, his destiny.John named him as the Son of God,the Lamb of God who bears our pain.John saw God’s Spirit like a dovedescend on Jesus and remain.Yes, like all thoseContinue reading “Come and See”

Not the Jesus He Wanted

Not the Jesus He WantedThe Baptism of the Lord; Matthew 3:13-17When Jesus came to John to be baptized,the Baptist baulked, suggested roles reversed.He wanted One whose power was recognized:refining fire, not Human One immersed,to surface breathless, shaking with the chillof river running down a crack in earth.“Now let it be,” said Jesus. “To fulfilthis rightnessContinue reading “Not the Jesus He Wanted”

Magi Returning

Magi ReturningEpiphany; Matthew 2:1-12“Epiphany” means that flash of insightor moment of joyful awarenessthat seems like a precious gift,to which our response is gratitudemaybe followed by exploration,or even difficult commitmentif we live into what’s revealed.Where did epiphany take the magiwho had already travelled farin search of a significant childwhose existence would verifytheir scholarly interpretationof prophecies, dreamsContinue reading “Magi Returning”

Empire or Reign of God

Empire or Reign of GodChristmasThere rose an empire based in Rome;fine ruins still recall its fame.They said their emperors were gods;few people now would praise their name.In conquered lands a child was born;his fate to die by empire’s will.Now though two thousand years have gone,his birth and death are honoured still.The Caesars did not saveContinue reading “Empire or Reign of God”

Joseph, Husband and Father

Joseph, Husband and FatherAdvent 4; Matthew 1:18-25Though Joseph’s doubts might well have sired his rage,he did not choose that Mary face disgrace.He’d free her from their bond and plead his age,provide for her in some secluded place.An angel in a dream cast doubts aside:this child’s conceived by Holy Spirit’s will,so Joseph need not fear norContinue reading “Joseph, Husband and Father”

Are You the One

Are You the OneAdvent 3; Matthew 11:2-11Jailed by Herod, John suspectedhe would not roam wilderness again,or forage there for wild honey.His life would soon be forfeitto a corrupt king’s lustful whim.Then he sent to Jesus to ask him:“Are you the one who is to comeor are we to wait for another?”He feared his hope wasContinue reading “Are You the One”

Voice in the Wilderness

Voice In the WildernessAdvent 2; Matthew 3:1-12John, you chose life in wild places,fed from their meagre resources:choice of a prophet, enactingwarning to mis-guided peopleexiled in spiritual wastelands,turning aside from God’s promise.Voice that Isaiah envisioned,words for a time of transition:“Make the paths straight by repenting!”Axes and fire you predicted,culling and threshing in judgement,wrath of the LordContinue reading “Voice in the Wilderness”

One Was Taken, One Was Left

One Was Taken, One Was leftAdvent 1; Matthew 24:36-44In the last desperate weeksof my father’s life,my mother had a dream:a vision of Jesuswho waited for Dad with open arms.I tearfully imaginedthe carpenter and the wood turnersharing their love of creating,so that Dad would feel at home there,having always had too many questionsto feel at homeContinue reading “One Was Taken, One Was Left”

Forgiveness

ForgivenessChrist the King; Luke 23:33-43They nailed him to the cross but still he prayed:“Forgive them for they know not what they do!”They’d learnt the hard way might must be obeyed:defiant soldiers forfeit life they knew.What sort of choice is kill a man or die?Not only death, dishonour lay in wait.A soldier’s lot was not toContinue reading “Forgiveness”

Stones Thrown Down

Stones Thrown DownPentecost 23; Luke 21:5-19See, stones like bones still litter sacred ground,raise disembodied limbs into the sky.Remembered words passed down preserve the soundof prayers and chants until the echoes die.Beware of pride in massive building blocks,in gilded vessels, jeweled robes and glass.The rot begins with disenchanted flocksand pompous clergy who misuse their class.Rapacious empiresContinue reading “Stones Thrown Down”