Reluctant Prophet Epiphany 3; Jonah 3 Then Jonah heard the word a second time: he’d been regurgitated on the land. His choice to flee had left him slick with slime, for Nineveh was not the call he’d planned. His journey to the depths had changed his mind: he preached a storm to Nineveh despised, andContinue reading “Sonnets for Ministers”
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You Search Me Out
You search me out (Lyrics, suggested tune Irish, God moves in a mysterious way, but can be sung to Crimond or Amazing grace)Epiphany 2; Psalm 139:1-5,12-18; John 1: 43-511.You search me out and know my soul,know when I sit or stand,and if I fall, no longer whole,your love will understand.2.You watch my path and whereContinue reading “You Search Me Out”
The Journey of the Wise
The Journey of the WiseEpiphany; Matthew 2:1-12There was a time when kings and queens were wiseand wisdom writings seen as Sacred Word;then Wisdom Woman, God in female guise,spoke at the crossroads and was widely heard.Young Solomon had prayed for wisdom’s sight;a wisdom school was fostered at his court,and foreign leaders came to share the lightContinue reading “The Journey of the Wise”
Song for Simeon and Anna
Song for Simeon and Anna (to tune Ebenezer by Thomas John Williams, Together in Song 232 or 373) Christmas 1; Luke 2:22-40 1. Spirit, come to some like Simeon, Anna, old but strong in prayer. We too need this Christ child’s presence! Let us hold good news to share! See, a baby shows God’s likeness,Continue reading “Song for Simeon and Anna”
2 Sonnets
Who is Mary? Advent 4 Luke 1:26-38 Not blue and white, immaculate and fair? The Mary I imagine and admire is dark, with untamed eyes that probe and flare: a woman fit to mate with Spirit fire. The label “Virgin” now precedes her name, as though to guarantee unworldly worth, yet earthy common sense hasContinue reading “2 Sonnets”
Who are you? What do you say about yourself?
Who are you? What do you say about yourself?for Advent 3, John 1:6-8, 19-28I’m not the Messiah, although sometimesI wish I could save the church I love –the world as a whole is out of my league.I’m not a prophet, although sometimesthe words I write seem given to share,and so I rejoice to see themContinue reading “Who are you? What do you say about yourself?”
Advent Song
Waiting, not knowing (Lyrics of Advent song)Waiting, not knowing: Lord, here we are again!Waiting, not knowing, can send this world insane.Give me the wisdom to trust and not complain.Some say that waiting on you is greatest gain.Open that space of emptinessin which I wait on you.Freed of anxiety and stress,I let my thoughts be few.ThereContinue reading “Advent Song”
The Return
The Return Advent 2, Isaiah 40:1-11, Mark 1:1-8 Laments for exile flowed in psalm and tears, but Babylon was home in passing years. Prophetic vision urged them to go back, but more than valleys faced them on that track. The Baptist called the people to repent, prepare the way for one whom God had sent.Continue reading “The Return”
Precarious Advent
Precarious Advent Advent 1 2023; Mark 13:24-37, Isaiah 64:1-9 I hide my imagining eyes from apocalyptic visions – stars falling, heavens darkened; although my rational mind admits humanity courts self-destruction generation after generation. There is some comfort in the promise that the Cosmic Christ is, has been, will be there in the most desperate times,Continue reading “Precarious Advent”
A Sonnet for Christ the King
A Sonnet for Christ the King When Pilate asked him if he was a king,“You say so,” were the only words he said.He would not answer back to anything,though mocked with crown of thorns upon his head.So if you call him king, then be awarethat in his kingdom might is seldom right:ex-presidential spite would shrivelContinue reading “A Sonnet for Christ the King”
Barb, poet priest 