The CleansingLent 3, John 2:13-22, Luke 12:32If he came to our churches on Sundayto be awkwardly greeted as strangerwould he fashion a whip for our cleansingwould we cringe from his anger as danger?Would he drive out conservative? liberal?or upend those who balance on fences?What offence might he take, at what practice?Would he shake up ourContinue reading “The Cleansing”
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God Laughs, Weeps and Loves
God Laughs, Weeps and LovesLent 2; Genesis 17:1-17, Mark 8:31-38One theological truth I affirm:God has a sense of humourand we are made in that image too.Bless the Lord who laughs, weeps and loves.God made Abraham a solemn promiseand adjusted his name to mean”father of a multitude”, so Abrahamfell on his face and laughed,for he wasContinue reading “God Laughs, Weeps and Loves”
The Time is Fulfilled
The Time is FulfilledLent 1; Mark 1:9-15When we rise in urgent needseeking sun and air,from the depths enclosing uslike a womb or tomb,heavens open; gracious lifeswoops to meet us there,naming us as family,with the world our room.Something divine will alight on us,something human finds wings,something is heard that delights in us,something gives voice and sings.WhenContinue reading “The Time is Fulfilled”
Healing Choices
Healing ChoicesEpiphany 6; 2 Kings 5:1-14; Mark 1:40-45If a slave girl had not sharedfaith in godly power to heal,if some servants had not cared,spoken out with frank appeal,would his body be restored,soul washed clean of futile pride?Naaman’s servants saved their lord,braved his wrath, set fear aside.Banned from contact, yet he cameclose to Jesus, begged andContinue reading “Healing Choices”
Woman Lifted Up
Woman Lifted UpEpiphany 5; Mark 1:29-39He took her by the hand and raised her up,and then the fever left her, and the lossof home and husband and her role and placeno longer kept her weak, confined to bed.She felt empowered to serve them in this housethat was not hers, but where perhaps she might,by servingContinue reading “Woman Lifted Up”
Unsanctioned Authority
Unsanctioned AuthorityEpiphany 4; Mark 1:21-28They said he spoke with authority:a truth more real than the words of scribes,a truth their leaders dare not see.The unclean spirit loudly saidboth Jesus’ name and holy fame.At his command that spirit fled.He dared to heal in the synagogue:the bent stood straight, the withered whole.No wonder crowds were all agog.TheyContinue reading “Unsanctioned Authority”
Sonnets for Ministers
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”
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”
Barb, poet priest 