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Ceasefire

Ceasefire Pentecost 3; Luke 9:51-62 He had no truck with hatred’s tit-for-tat. His face was set towards Jerusalem: Samaritans rejected him for that. The brothers wanted fire called down on them. They’d answer coldness with destructive heat, but he rebuked them, simply went elsewhere, no honour lost, no shame for humble feet. Forget reprisals, hisContinue reading “Ceasefire”

In the Land Opposite Galilee

In the Land Opposite Galilee Pentecost 2; Luke 8: 26-39 He’d break his bonds and flee into the wild – a city man by unclean powers possessed, in lands the Roman legions occupied. The spirits said that “Legion” was their name. When demon-driven pigs fell in the lake, was that a portent of defeat ofContinue reading “In the Land Opposite Galilee”

Another Way of Seeing

Another Way of Seeing Trinity Sunday I slip my glasses off and free my eyes to sense the stirring touch of wind and sun. These lenses can’t expand what this mind sees when all I look at is the ground ahead. I walk the dog through landscape widely spread, but peer instead at ruts andContinue reading “Another Way of Seeing”

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”