Many Dwelling PlacesEaster 5; John 14:1-14Creator of diversity,you value all that’s odd and wild;at home in vast infinity,you house creation as your child.Your home has multitudes of roomswith space most generously to sparefor different ways to be expressed,and guests to be unique yet share. Your home is open when I knock:the fires are burning, bedsContinue reading “Many Dwelling Places”
Author Archives: barbmessneroutlookcom
The Trouble with Being the Word
The Trouble with Being the WordEaster 4; John 10:1-10Jesus said, “Very truly I tell you,” words that mark important meanings.Then he used a series of metaphors,“sheepfold”, “gate”, “shepherd”, “sheep” -figures of speech he wove into a storythat likened him to a shepherd,a familiar connection in Scripture.Too many have lost that mine of wisdomso they don’tContinue reading “The Trouble with Being the Word”
You on the Road to Emmaus
You on the Road to EmmausEaster 3; Luke 24:13-35Sometimes all you can do iswalk away:away from the crosses on a hilland a tomb whether empty or not,away from your failures as followersand the loss of your hope and purpose,away from overwhelming emotion,that sink hole of anger, grief and fear. At least if there’s two youContinue reading “You on the Road to Emmaus”
Experience of Resurrection
Experience of ResurrectionEaster Day; Matthew 28:1-10I have not hurried, as day dawned,feeling earth quake, the tomb undone,yet I have felt that stone roll back,tomb become womb in light of sun.I have not heard the angel say:“Don’t be afraid, he is not here!”,yet I can tell that he is raised -in sacred story he comes near.ThereContinue reading “Experience of Resurrection”
Dawn on Us Risen Christ
Dawn on Us Risen ChristEaster DayHow we long for the coming of some Easter dawnwhere the cross and the tomb do not have the last word,where no children lie dead amidst bomb shattered stoneand where mercy can rise despite power grown absurd.The false trappings of empire have long bit the dustbut the wanna-be emperors stillContinue reading “Dawn on Us Risen Christ”
Palm Sunday, Passion Sunday
Palm Sunday, Passion SundayLent 6; Matthew 21:1-11, Matthew 27:11-54Crowds like to gather,cheer and make noise,shout loud hosannaswhen their team scores.Crowds’ praise is fickle:sledging and boosspread like pandemics.Outsiders lose.Man on a donkeycrowds hail as king.Same human crucified -scorn and thorns sting.Cave to peer pressures –God sent to die.Flog him and mock him –taunts drown his cry.GunfireContinue reading “Palm Sunday, Passion Sunday”
As Jesus Wept
As Jesus WeptLent 5; Ezekiel 37:1-14, John 11:1-45As Jesus wept for friends, for death, for grief,and still called out to one entombed: “Come out!”,we likewise grieve for wars without reliefand long to hear Christ’s bold restoring shout.So many dead and homes and land laid bare!We pray the Spirit might inspire this cry:“You shattered lands, leaveContinue reading “As Jesus Wept”
To See or Not To See
To See or Not to SeeLent 4; John 9:1-41Surely we are not blind, are we?We can see on our screens all manner of enticementsto alleged healing or debaucheryand are encouraged to purchasewhat we see and read about,with no personal contact or experience.We can watch people sufferingfrom war and catastrophe,from prejudice and tyrannyand we glance, grimaceContinue reading “To See or Not To See”
Some Gospel Women and I
Some Gospel Women and ILent 3; John 4:5-42When I was studying theology,but not yet accepted as an ordinand,an appointed leader told meI was not conservative enoughto become a parish priest.A few years before I retiredas the associate priest in a parish,a disenchanted ordination candidate,commenting on my preaching,thought that in the climate of her timeI wouldContinue reading “Some Gospel Women and I”
How Can These Things Be
How Can These Things BeLent 2; John 3:1-17Reflect on this encounter in the night -a literal mind tests signs and teaching heard.The Rabbi Jesus speaks in metaphorto lead to truth beyond the factual word.This Pharisee comes seeking something new:his walls of laws begin to seem too tightlike mother’s womb to baby ripe for birth,but stillContinue reading “How Can These Things Be”
Barb, poet priest 