Author Archives: barbmessneroutlookcom

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”

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?”