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”
Author Archives: barbmessneroutlookcom
Transformation Time
Transformation Time Epiphany 2; John 2:1-11 Sometimes, like Mary at the wedding feast, I see a need in those for whom I care, and point it out to God, hoping at least, if I dare ask, the cupboard won’t stay bare. Like Jesus, God might say, “Now what concern is that for you or me?Continue reading “Transformation Time”
Song for Epiphany
Song for Epiphany Matthew 2:1-12 (written to fit the Irish traditional tune Columcille, as arranged by John Bell, Iona Community, for his song No wind at the window, Together in Song 287) What star can I follow to kneel in that place? How far will I journey? What doubts dare erase? And if I canContinue reading “Song for Epiphany”
Christmas Here and Now
No new poems this week – I’ve taken a couple of weeks off, coping with the delights and stresses of fostering the greyhound we hope to adopt, Misty. So I’m posting some Christmas poems from the past, this one from last year. Christmas Here and Now Precarious – our lives in covid’s wake: decisions joltContinue reading “Christmas Here and Now”
The Word of God and the Wisdom of God
The Word of God and the Wisdom of God Christmas: John 1:1-14, Hebrews 1:1-4 The prophets wrote: “Thus says the Lord.” The price they paid to share God’s word was more than we would dare afford, but they must speak, ignored or heard. What was it like to be God’s Word – a living challengeContinue reading “The Word of God and the Wisdom of God”
Elizabeth Greeting Mary
Elizabeth Greeting Mary Advent 4; Luke 1:39-45 I call her blessed, and so it seems am I, with new life growing in a womb long bare, and though as victims both our sons might die, their purpose justifies the risks they’ll share. A fearless prophet waits to leave my thighs, the one who’ll dare toContinue reading “Elizabeth Greeting Mary”
Blessed among Women
Blessed Among Women Advent 4: Luke 1:39-45 Then Elizabeth, filled with the Spirit, said that you would be blessed among women, but we struggle to see you here, Mary, though we long to take part in that blessing, in the God-bearer’s loving and knowing. Come and teach us your gift of commitment: “Let it beContinue reading “Blessed among Women”
With Joy You Will Draw Water
With Joy You Will Draw Water Advent 3: Zephaniah 3:14-20, Isaiah 12:2-6 Joy bubbles up like some underground stream channelled anew to this hidden dry pool. Out of the depths it bursts into the light, mating with air in bright bubbles and mist. Maybe these waters remain for a time; maybe they’re gone soon afterContinue reading “With Joy You Will Draw Water”
Prepare the Way of the Lord
Prepare the Way of the Lord Advent 2: Luke 3:1-6, Malachi 3:1-14, Luke 1: 68-79 (Song of Zechariah) There are voices who cry out within our wilderness for the sake of Earth and desperate refugees, for the dispossessed First Nations still without redress and the women with no voice to frame their pleas. Like theContinue reading “Prepare the Way of the Lord”
Season of Despair or Hope
Season of Despair or Hope Advent 1, Luke 21:25-38 Yes, now there’s distress among nations on earth, and signs in creation that few eyes dare see. There’s fear and foreboding, and pain before birth, but hidden growth waits in each season-bared tree. Apocalypse now or the kingdom come near? The promise of summer or portentContinue reading “Season of Despair or Hope”
Barb, poet priest 