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Experiencing Pentecost in the Present

Experiencing Pentecost in the Present Day of Pentecost; Acts 2:1-21 If someone from outside comes into church, (infrequent in these days, but still we hope), they’ll see us dressed in red for Pentecost. There might be red balloons, or paper doves, or something sung in Spanish, French or Greek. How might the stranger feel theContinue reading “Experiencing Pentecost in the Present”

Communion

Communion Easter 7; John 17:20-26 I drove to church along the ridge of hills. The valley spread out arms to greet the town; the distant sea rose up to meet the sky; the curve of earth reversed to form a bowl in which light poured and colour overflowed. There I was drenched in brightness, litContinue reading “Communion”

The Mystery of the Ascension

The Mystery of the Ascension Ascension Day: Acts 1:1-11, Luke 24:44-53 There on the mountain top they find him gone – gone up, gone out, drawn in beyond our sight. Some doubt, some worship, hide and wait, move on; some wish to stay forever on the height. Was incarnation nothing but a play? Is GodContinue reading “The Mystery of the Ascension”

Remembered Words

Remembered Words Easter 6; John 14:23-29 I wonder, if I saw the end in sight, what words of comfort, stretching like a rope across the threat of absence, would hold tight the truth that helps us walk the slippery slope? At that Last Supper, Jesus knew the plight that day would bring. He tried toContinue reading “Remembered Words”

Paradox

Paradox Easter 5; John 13:31-35 When Judas left and walked into the night, and Jesus knew that he would be denied, betrayed, abandoned to his plight, he said that he and God were glorified. It seems a paradox to human eyes that glory is revealed in pain and death, but this is the transformative surpriseContinue reading “Paradox”

Season Break

Season Break One day, windy in mid-autumn, the bush was wild in flail of fall. Dead leaves sacrificed to drought skittered and whirled across the road, and hills were blurred with dust and smoke. I felt the threat and promise of change in ragged clouds and restless wind. Old farmers here say season break comesContinue reading “Season Break”

Tell Us Plainly

Tell us Plainly Easter 4; John 10:22-30 There’s some who want a label, clearly stated, so they can judge and file this case away. The evidence of deeds is under rated, and mystery ignored on every day. If Jesus said, “For sure, I’m God’s Messiah!” they’d call it blasphemy and want him dead, dismiss himContinue reading “Tell Us Plainly”

Breakfast on Shifting Sand

Today my long service leave ended and I am officially retired. I have been feeling rather raw all week, wanting to pull the blankets over my head, or some such equivalent of going fishing! As I woke up today this poem started to come to me. Breakfast on Shifting Sand Easter 3: John 21:1-19 LikeContinue reading “Breakfast on Shifting Sand”

Saul on the Road to Damascus

Saul on the Road to Damascus Easter 3; Acts 9:1-20 There vision failed him and his old self died. “Why do you persecute me, Saul?” Christ said. His zeal, thrown in the dust, will rise again, devoted to the work of Christ instead. Simply awesome, isn’t it: when one so sure of being right seesContinue reading “Saul on the Road to Damascus”

Encountering the Risen Christ

Encountering the Risen Christ Easter 2; John 20:11-31 Mary’s tears fell in the garden. Someone said, “Whom are you seeking?” Mary thought he was the gardener: deeper truth in that was speaking. When he called her name, she knew him, rose, commissioned at his bidding as apostle to apostles, though her culture was forbidding. JesusContinue reading “Encountering the Risen Christ”