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The Need for Prayer

The Need for PrayerPentecost 19; Luke 181-14I’ve got a problem with prayerand it’s not just my discomfortwith Jesus’ teaching story.I don’t think the God I knowis anything like the unjust judgeworn down by determined nagging.Do we think that incessant prayingwill prompt God to enforce justice?I get Jesus’ point about the needto pray always and notContinue reading “The Need for Prayer”

All the Earth Shall Worship

All the Earth Shall WorshipPentecost 18; Luke 17:11-19, Psalm 66:1-11, 2 Timothy 2:8-15Ten lepers were cleansedand one returned to give thanks.He praised God with a loud voiceand Jesus said to him:“Your faith has made you well.”Yet he was a Samaritanand some despised his faithfor worshipping on a mountainand not in the templeand for incorporating beliefsfromContinue reading “All the Earth Shall Worship”

Is It Faith?

Is It Faith?Pentecost 17; Luke 17:5-10Is it faiththat causes my heart to liftas a pair of black cockatoos soar into my sight,the slow surging strokes of their wingsin perfect unison?Is it faiththat brings tears of joy to my eyesand bids me cry outin gratitude:“Oh beautiful, beautiful!”Is it faithin the Creatorof these winged messengers,or is itContinue reading “Is It Faith?”

Chasms Between

Chasms BetweenPentecost 16; Luke 16:19-31Over the years and across the wide Earththose who have much exclude those who are poor –maybe with claims of superior birth,whiteness or maleness, tradition or law.Some say that wealth is a blessing they’ve earned:fittest survive while the lesser won’t thrive.Those they keep down find best efforts are spurned:doomed as outsiders,Continue reading “Chasms Between”

Serving Two Masters

Serving Two MastersPentecost 15; Luke 16:1-13In practice, I have found that serving Godmakes serving wealth a choice beyond my means.The most I hope for is to have enough,but surely some would see “enough” as “wealth”.And I am grateful that it was to me:the work I loved brought in enough to livewith all the basic comfortsContinue reading “Serving Two Masters”

Alas

Alas (lyrics of a song to the tune Greensleeves)Pentecost 14; Jeremiah 4:11-12, 22-28; 1 Timothy 1:1-2, 12-19a; Luke 15:1-10Alas, O God, we do you wrongto cast you off discourteously,for you have loved our world so long,delighting in our company.Mend, mend our disgraceful ways,vain displays of fame and wealth.Bend, bend our reluctant kneesto touch the hurtContinue reading “Alas”

Shanay in Sunshine

We are grieving the deathof our little cat Shanay.It seems as ifthe sun won’t shinewithout her invoking its presenceas she gazes at the skyfrom the chair by the glass door.How she luxuriated in its warmthwhen the sunshine obliged her:praise and gratitude personified!How can I readwith the same delightpropped up on the couchwithout the tread ofContinue reading “Shanay in Sunshine”

Places of Honour

Places of HonourPentecost 12; Luke 14:1, 7-14Jesus was invited to a sabbath mealat the home of a leader of the Pharisees,and he noted how some people chosethe places nearest their hostas though they were entitledto be seen to be importantbecause of prestige or pedigree.Then he told them a parablethat exposed the absurdityof displays of superiority.HeContinue reading “Places of Honour”

A Spirit that Cripples

A Spirit that CripplesPentecost 11; Luke 13:10-17She still came there for worship although so bowed down:“Bound by Satan!” they whispered through eighteen long years,Her bent back was a symbol of burdens she bore, the rules which gave women no voice for their tears.Her staunch faith was not vanquished by what pulled her down,though she’d givenContinue reading “A Spirit that Cripples”

Fire and Division

Fire and DivisionPentecost 10; Luke 12:49-59He came to bring fire to the Earth,fire that cleanses and refines,fire that warms and enlivens.He wished it was already kindledwhile he could shelter the flame,guide it to make light, bake bread,separate pure metal from dross.Then he felt the dark and coldclosing in on him, and he knewthe spark wouldContinue reading “Fire and Division”