Tree on a Rainy SundaySilver wet tree has drawn me near.Raindrops and tears anoint my face,washing me fresh inside and out:this is a sacrament today.Gray green on grey, the feathered leaves,lightly attached, are free to swirl,wafting elusive cleansing tang:this is soul remedy today.Touching the trunk, I flinch at scars,slashes some heedless ego made,yet strength andContinue reading “Tree on a Rainy Sunday”
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Let Anyone with Ears Listen
Let Anyone with Ears ListenAll Saints’ Day; Matthew 5:1-11Let those who use the name of Jesusin the service of power and prejudicelisten to his counter-cultural wisdom: “Blessed are the poor in spirit”:those who are vulnerable, marginalized and mistreated,not the arrogant, entitled and manipulative. “Blessed are those who mourn”:those whose loved ones have been killed byContinue reading “Let Anyone with Ears Listen”
The Great Commandments
The Great Commandments – can be sung to tune Sursum Corda, (TiS240)We’ll love the Lord our God with all our heart:that pulsing source of life with steadfast beatwhich moves our blood to every cell and partto feed and cleanse our flesh from head to feet. We’ll love the Lord our God with all our soul:thatContinue reading “The Great Commandments”
Glory Passing By
Glory Passing ByPentecost 21; Exodus 33:12-23There are times when God’s glory is best viewed behind,lest it wipe out your vision and unhinge your mind.There are times when you beg glory’s power to unlock,and you need to be shielded in cleft of the rock. So it was for this Moses, God wrangling alone,who in horror hadContinue reading “Glory Passing By”
Standing in the Breach
Standing in the BreachPentecost 20; Exodus 32:1-14; Psalm 106:24; Matthew 22:1-14Have you ever come down from the mountainwith wise precepts revealed by the Spirit,strongly worded and carved on stone tablets,and you know you must show them to others? Then they slip from your grasp and are shatteredas you see the gold idol and revels.Can youContinue reading “Standing in the Breach”
The Stars Still Sing
The Stars Still SingPentecost 19; revised as a reflection on Psalm 19:1-6The stars still sing, but who can hear the music?The clouds still dance, but who can feel the beat?The Earth still speaks, if we can learn to listen.The Spirit leads, if we can trust our feet. Switch off the city lights and let theContinue reading “The Stars Still Sing”
Making Space for the God of the Cosmos
(I’ve had a delightfully hectic week with a sister and nephew from Queensland so I’m posting this poem from ten years ago. The water-damaged church building which had housed the St. Michael and All Angels congregation at Bridgewater has just been sold for renovation, but the congregation hire a hall on Sunday mornings and areContinue reading “Making Space for the God of the Cosmos”
The Last Will Be First
The Last Will Be FirstPentecost 17; Matthew 20:1-16The parables portray a grace-filled worldwhere straying sheep are found, not left to die,where precious seed is with abandon hurledon good ground and where stones and weeds might lie.In graced economies, the last are hired,for one hour’s work receive a whole day’s pay.Those who came first, observing whatContinue reading “The Last Will Be First”
Dilemmas of Forgiveness
Dilemmas of ForgivenessPentecost 16; Matthew 18:21-35If someone sins against us,Jesus said we should forgivenot seven times but seventy-seven,but how do we forgive those who harmor kill one dearly loved, and can we forgiveourselves those tragic errorswe fervently and futilely wish undone? Did his followers manage to forgivethe soldiers who nailed him to the cross,the imperialContinue reading “Dilemmas of Forgiveness”
Do Not Despise These Little Ones
Do Not Despise These Little OnesPentecost 15; Matthew 18:10-20If churches think that numbers show success,he says he’s there with only two or three;Christ’s presence may be lost amidst a crowdwhere few can see who anyone might be. If angels of the little ones see Godand adults need to look with childlike eyes,why say: “Grow up!Continue reading “Do Not Despise These Little Ones”
