Thomas and Jesus Easter 2; John 20:19-31 “Then let us go that we may die with him.” Brave words of love were these that Thomas spoke. Could such commitment suddenly grow dim, or hope destroyed make love a bitter joke? Why was he absent when Christ first appeared? Had grief and anger kept him fromContinue reading “Thomas and Jesus”
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With Fear and Great Joy
With Fear and Great Joy Easter Day; Matthew 28:1-10; Colossians 3:1-4 Come in, stranger! Be welcome among us, though I fear you will shrink in discomfort from uncomfortable seats and page turning, and from songs about dying and rising in the old-fashioned words of our hymn book. I fear scorn as I try to imagineContinue reading “With Fear and Great Joy”
The Path from Palms to Cross
The Path from Palms to Cross Palm Sunday; Matthew 21:1-11; Matthew 26:14-27:66 Short is the path linking palms to cross: mockery waits for the fall of fame; hope of gain turns at the threat of loss; those who would idolize him now blame. God seems reluctant to do our will; we need a hero who’llContinue reading “The Path from Palms to Cross”
The Poet’s Call to Connect
The Poet’s Call to Connect Lent 5; Ezekiel 37:1-14; John 11;1-45 To seek connection is the poet’s art. In metaphor the meaning is revealed to souls responding with a joyous start, with ardent breath and spring of tears that yield an opening into mystery’s large heart. Then stories stir like bones at prophet’s word, connecting,Continue reading “The Poet’s Call to Connect”
A Man Born Blind
A Man Born Blind Lent 4; John 9:1-41 A man born blind finds more to see than those who choose to set aside the gift of sight for fear of what may face them in the light: the chasms gaping in the path they chose, the pools of darkness that their shadow throws; for these,Continue reading “A Man Born Blind”
The Woman at the Well
The Woman at the Well Lent 3; John 4:5-42 She came at noon to skip the village talk. She’d rather have the heat than veiled disdain. He stayed at noon and let disciples walk, and when she came for water sensed her pain. He broke taboos in asking for a drink. “How is it, you,Continue reading “The Woman at the Well”
Nicodemus at Night
Nicodemus at Night Lent 2; John 3:1-17 Then Nicodemus came by night – a man of law-trained, literal mind replete 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 –Continue reading “Nicodemus at Night”
In the Wilderness
In the Wilderness Lent 1; Matthew 4:1-11 Jesus fasted in the wilderness at the beginning of his ministry. Baptized, commissioned, he was led up by the Spirit to be tempted by the devil – holy and diabolical collaboration? He rejected programs for happiness based on instinctual needs for security, esteem, power – so writes ThomasContinue reading “In the Wilderness”
The Mountain (lyrics)
The Mountain (lyrics) sung to Aberystwyth by Joseph Parry or Hollingside by John Bacchus Dykes (tunes for Jesus, lover of my soul) Transfiguration; Matthew 17: 1-9 Climb this mountain path with me, lest I slip or lose my way. Show me vistas we can see when we’ve scaled the heights and pray. As I watch,Continue reading “The Mountain (lyrics)”
Passive Resistance
Passive Resistance Epiphany 7; Matthew 5:38-48 On mount or plain he teaches wisdom’s word: “When someone strikes you, turn the other cheek!” So counter-cultural, it seems absurd: how can he dare to claim: “Blessed are the meek?” You can’t defend your land if hands are slack. The law says: “Tooth for tooth and eye forContinue reading “Passive Resistance”
Barb, poet priest 