Pentecost AgainDay of Pentecost; Acts 2:1-4I’m no great fan of wind –it shakes me loose like autumn leavesuntil I feel unnerved, thin skinned,and something wistful grieves.Yet blow here, Spirit gale,break into comfort, shake the wallsthat shelter those afraid to failwho hide when challenge calls.I’m half afraid of flame –too often burnt or left with ash;withContinue reading “Pentecost Again”
Author Archives: barbmessneroutlookcom
On that Night
On that NightEaster 7; John 17:1-11On the night before he diedhe prayed for those given to him,asking for their protection in God’s name, so that they may be oneas he and the Father are one.He prayed that they may have eternal lifewhich is to know God and the one sent by God.What is the onenessContinue reading “On that Night”
Two Sonnets – one old, one new
Altar to an Unknown GodEaster 6; Acts 17:22-31Perhaps an altar to an unknown godwould not be solid slabs of stone or wood that brute force wrestled from the gaping sodand carved with symbols little understood.Perhaps some legs of driftwood, bare and white,would hold a sheath of woven bark and grass,or panel rescued from a ruinedContinue reading “Two Sonnets – one old, one new”
Many Dwelling Places
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”
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”
Barb, poet priest 