What if Jesus says “Eat!”Pentecost 2; Mark 2:23-3:6Long held rules seem to say:“Don’t let hunger prevail,though you walk in ripe fields!Keep the Sabbath rites pure!”Then though Jesus says: “Eat!”,Pharisees lurk in waitto accuse and conspire,using law as their power.Can we let Christ be Lordof the Sabbath as well?Are we governed by rulesthat he might setContinue reading “What if Jesus Says “Eat!””
Author Archives: barbmessneroutlookcom
Nicodemus at Night
Nicodemus at Night Trinity Sunday; John 3:1-17Then Nicodemus came by night –a man of law-trained, literal mindreplete with Scripture he could cite.He knew his peers would be unkind,so sure of ways they thought were right,but he must see what he would find.Perhaps this Jesus came from God -some words rang true, he’d seen the signs,butContinue reading “Nicodemus at Night”
Come, Holy Spirit, Breathe
Come, Holy Spirit, BreatheDay of Pentecost; Ezekiel 37:1-14, Acts 2:1-21, John 15:26,27, 16:4b-15Come, Holy Spirit, breathe, put flesh and life on bones:on desiccated liturgies and rigid ribs of pews.We’ve lost the gift of tongues, the surge of fire and wind,the burning in the heart that leaps to recognize good news.Like wind that summons change, stirContinue reading “Come, Holy Spirit, Breathe”
Ascension?
Ascension?Ascension Day; Acts 1:1-11; Matthew 28: 16-20He vanished from their sight, but did he riseto lofty palaces above the skiesto sit in gloried state at God’s right hand?Or did he slip among them where they stand?The angels laughed: “Why do you seek afarthe one who’s always with you where you are?”To visions bringing insight, itContinue reading “Ascension?”
Dilemmas of Love
Dilemmas of LoveEaster 6; John 15:9-17So you said to your friends in farewell:“This is my commandment,that you love one anotheras I have loved you.”No need of ten commandments:this one is challenge enough.No doubt it would change the world,but how do we live up to it?How do we love as you loved,you who are love embodied,weContinue reading “Dilemmas of Love”
God is Love
God is love (Easter 5 John 15:1-8, 1 John 4:7-21)All people who use languageare second-hand word-mongers:we mangle words or varnishby buying into meaningsto suit rival agendas.We fumble in our juggling,and truth becomes entangledwith hurts to which we’re subject,and what one hears, anotherwould never have imagined.So “God is love” gets twistedfor some who hear “Our Father”.TheyContinue reading “God is Love”
Warning: Sheep Astray
Warning: Sheep AstrayEaster 4; Psalm 23Good shepherd, there is much we seem to lack,though having much has blurred the truth of need.If you could lead us weary creatures back,green pastures and still pools might soothe and feed.Our souls are parched, our bodies over fed;right pathways now have given way to roads.We seek refreshment, yet willContinue reading “Warning: Sheep Astray”
A Greeting of Peace
A Greeting of PeaceEaster 3; Luke 24:36b-48; Acts 3:12-20; Psalm 4He stood among them, offered them his peace.Amazed and doubting, they were terrified:they thought they saw the ghost of one who’d died.How did he help their fear and doubt to cease?He chose to let them see his damaged flesh;he showed the wounds in hands andContinue reading “A Greeting of Peace”
Thomas and Us
Thomas and UsEaster 2; John 20:19-31The label “doubting” dogged him down the years –it’s more than any saint should have to bear.Did “doubting” Thomas add that shame to tears,so grief and anger barred his need to share?The risen Christ has no respect for locks,nor will defensive doubt turn him away.He lets his wounds be seen,toContinue reading “Thomas and Us”
Palm Sunday Paradox
Palm Sunday ParadoxPalm Sunday; Mark 11:1-11They wanted a victor to take power and reign –his crown would be thorns on a victim in pain.The man on a donkey, foretold as a king,rode humbly despite the hosannas they sing.They’d gathered some converts to bolster their cause;his teaching forgotten in shouts and applause.Yet how many times hadContinue reading “Palm Sunday Paradox”
Barb, poet priest 