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Entrusted to Make the Best of What We’re Given

Entrusted to Make the Best of What We’re Given Pentecost 25; Matthew 25:14-30 There are talents we’ve been given here at hand – ingenuity, resources, power enough – to turn back the ticking clocks of climate change, and restore the fraught ecology of earth. Still we bury that potential out of fear of the consequencesContinue reading “Entrusted to Make the Best of What We’re Given”

Wise or Foolish

Wise or Foolish Pentecost 24; Matthew 25:1-13 Ten bridesmaids await the groom. Those with lanterns still alight follow to the feasting room; five have gone off out of sight. Those with spare oil would not share, fearing none would have enough – wise perhaps, but lacking care? Foolish ones must do it tough. Though theyContinue reading “Wise or Foolish”

How to Emulate the Saints

How to Emulate the Saints I know of saints who braved the harshest dooms – such courage I cannot aspire to seek. For me, each dental visit darkly looms, and medical appointments spoil my week. St. Anthony of Padua talked with fish and Francis understood the wolf and birds – these saints can stir inContinue reading “How to Emulate the Saints”

Love and the Referendum

Love and the Referendum Pentecost 22; Matthew 22:34-46, Deuteronomy 34:1-12 “Love God. Love neighbour.” Jesus said that these are life’s great laws. Did those who voted “No” that day let love give cause to pause? If we refuse to listen, can First Nations know we care? Both lovers urged us to say “Yes”, but fearContinue reading “Love and the Referendum”

A Frank Exchange of Views

A Frank Exchange of Views Pentecost 21, Matthew 22:15-23, Exodus 33:12-23 Both God and Jesus welcome a debate, a frank exchange of views to clear the air. When Moses talks to God, he tells it straight, and God lets go of wrath, reverts to care. The Sadducees and scribes use words to snare, but JesusContinue reading “A Frank Exchange of Views”

Invited to Attend

Invited to Attend Pentecost 20; Matthew 22:1-14 I admit I was invited to attend that wedding banquet. It would be a celebration of life’s intimate commitment and potential procreation. Somehow that seemed uninviting: I’d no time nor inclination to join mass produced rejoicing. I had one regret – the gardens. There I knew I’d findContinue reading “Invited to Attend”

2 Poems for Saint’s Days

Angelic EncounterSt. Michael and All Angels Day (written September 2020)If you ask me if I’ve seen an angel,I’m not sure what you’ll make of my answer:I have seen a great wing in the heavenswith light gilding the arc of its feathers;though I knew it was cloud, yet the messagewas as clear to my heart asContinue reading “2 Poems for Saint’s Days”

In Reverse

In Reverse Pentecost 17; Matthew 20:1-16 Common practice then and now favours what is called success: being chosen, coming first; working harder, earning more; making sure we get what’s fair; sussing out what favours us. God, it seems, works in reverse, favours those our ways neglect: last is first and first is last; what isContinue reading “In Reverse”