Remedial Gardeners Needed Lent 3; Luke 13:1-9 The axe may still not fall if gardeners speak out, and work to keep the trees, for Earth desires to bear. Those overwhelmed by flood or robbed of all by fire are not the ones who’ve sinned. Priorities must change. Grandkids will bear the brunt of devastation wroughtContinue reading “Remedial Gardeners Needed”
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On Retiring as Associate Priest in an Anglican parish
On Retiring as Associate Priest in an Anglican Parish Time now to fold and put away (well within reach on a central shelf) words I’ve been privileged to say, robes that both stirred and covered self. Tears fall in soft autumnal grief; letting them flow releases me. Tightness unwinds and brings relief; eyes look aroundContinue reading “On Retiring as Associate Priest in an Anglican parish”
A Lament over the City
A Lament over the City Lent 2; Luke 13:31-35 It’s the city, colluding with thrones, that still murders the prophets, and stones anyone who is sent here to save. There’s no space for Christ’s mothering care in the jostling of many who glare crying “Crucify! Crucify him!” Though our God has wide sheltering wings, whoContinue reading “A Lament over the City”
Temptations in the Wilderness
Temptations in the Wilderness Lent 1; Luke 4:1-15 I have walked that wilderness, breathed its gritty, brazen air. Seems our culture lodges there! Voices work on our distress, tempting us to be secure – “Wealth can happiness ensure!” Spirit dreams evaporate! Bread is conjured out of stones, our reward as worker drones. “You can masterContinue reading “Temptations in the Wilderness”
The Churches of St. Moses, St. Elijah and St. Jesus on the Mountain
The Churches of St. Moses, St. Elijah and St. Jesus on the Mountain Last Sunday after Epiphany – Transfiguration; Luke 9:28-43 It is upon the mountaintop that light transfigures features that we thought we knew, and we are dazzled seeing what’s beyond as past and future balance on that peak, and in that moment GodContinue reading “The Churches of St. Moses, St. Elijah and St. Jesus on the Mountain”
Loving my Enemy
Loving my Enemy Epiphany 7; Luke 6:27-38 To call that man my enemy would seem too strong a claim, yet still I feel unloving, remembering his name. A bully in the workplace the three of us agreed. It’s fifteen years behind me, and still I am not freed. One dived into a bottle, one leftContinue reading “Loving my Enemy”
Blessings and Woes
Blessings and Woes Epiphany 6; Luke 6:17-26 Confront us with the mystery that blessing graces misery while fortune loads the dice for woe! Our poverty can strip away the gilded idols of our day, while wealth can stifle what might grow. Our hunger seeks out nourishment and hungry souls will be content with nothing shortContinue reading “Blessings and Woes”
Fishing and Following
Fishing and Following Epiphany 5; Luke 5 1-11 Lord, don’t forsake the work of your own hands! Like Simon, we have laboured in the dark, then washed our empty nets upon the sands. Our sense of failure leaves a hurtful mark. Can we, like Simon, weary as we are, set out again a little wayContinue reading “Fishing and Following”
Hometown Rejection
Hometown Rejection Epiphany 4; Luke 4:21-30 They drove him out and pushed him to the brink, so keen were they to shake him from the height of vision that he claimed, to see him shrink back to the mundane faith that they deemed right. He did not think of ways he might placate, but namedContinue reading “Hometown Rejection”
Desolation, Consolation, Desolation
Desolation, Consolation, Desolation Epiphany 3; Luke 4:1-30 Filled by the Spirit, he is teaching, honed by harsh tests and raw beseeching. Fame after wilderness temptation: consolation follows desolation. Look, how that cycle gets inverted – those who admired him still deserted. Praised by the people and invited, he sees how soon is wrath ignited. ReadingContinue reading “Desolation, Consolation, Desolation”
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