Healing the Blind Mark 10:46-52, Pentecost 22 Look round and in for signs of loss of sight unrecognized by those left in the dark, maybe because they think they’re always right. Their inner blindness leaves no outer mark. They cannot see how racial hatred harms, or what life might be like for refugees. Their mindsContinue reading “Healing the Blind”
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Word from a Whirlwind
Word from a Whirlwind God’s Answer to Job (Job 38—41) Why ask why? My realm’s too wild and wide, this cosmos too diverse, immense and free to bend its complex meaning to reward or punish what a creature strives to be. Gird up your loins, you mortal! Answer me! How dare you with your GodContinue reading “Word from a Whirlwind”
Sonnet for St. Francis
Sonnet for St. Francis Though Francis bore the marks of Jesus’ pain, he walked the roads in simple joy and danced. He cast aside the robes of merchant gain, embracing poverty as life enhanced. A fearsome wolf at his request grew tame – for animal and town a happy end. He preached to birds andContinue reading “Sonnet for St. Francis”
Making Space for the God of the Cosmos
Making Space for the God of the Cosmos For the patronal festival at St. Michael and All Angels, Bridgewater SA What does it take to see the stars? Our gaze is settled on the ground. Those minute pinpoints in the night are blazing suns immensely far beyond us, yet our city lights have dimmed them,Continue reading “Making Space for the God of the Cosmos”
For or Against
For or Against Pentecost 18, Mark 9:38-50 Seems like the ones who were closest to him wanted to claim rights to his name. Keep him exclusive to their chosen few: came to complain, sought to restrain someone unlicensed who heals in his name: not been approved should be removed. Maverick exorcist they wanted stopped! JesusContinue reading “For or Against”
Last of All and Servant of All
Last of All and Servant of All Pentecost 17, Mark 9:30-37 He taught them that the Son of Man would be betrayed by human hand. It seems he might have saved his breath: they could not bear his talk of death; they would not ask or understand. Instead they argued on the way, competing toContinue reading “Last of All and Servant of All”
Lose and Find
Lose and Find (Song Lyrics to the Welsh tune Ar hyd y nos: All through the night) Pentecost 16, Proverbs 1:20-33, Mark 8:27-38) 1. Lose the life that makes you smaller, scrambling for gain. Find the life that stretches taller, learning from pain. Take your cross and pray to bear it: God will find aContinue reading “Lose and Find”
From Anxiety to Wisdom
From Anxiety to Wisdom Pentecost 16, Proverbs 1:20-33; Mark 8:27-38 I have heard them describing this time as an Age of Anxiety. It would take a conversion of soul to become Wisdom’s Century. There are plenty alive who display technological mastery. Do you know of some sages revered for insightful integrity? Yet the manifest perilsContinue reading “From Anxiety to Wisdom”
The Syrophoenician Woman
The Syrophoenician Woman Pentecost 15, Mark 7:24-37 Celebrate with me this woman, this bold Syrophoenician woman, facing prejudice and limits, walking out alone in public, daring to accost this stranger who was hiding in seclusion. Those offended sneered and muttered slurs that mocked her race and gender, called her “prostitute”, rejecting such impertinent intrusion. CourtesanContinue reading “The Syrophoenician Woman”
My Song of Songs
My Song of Songs Pentecost 14, Song of Songs 2:8-13 What if God who loves is also lover and I and every living thing and even rocks and suns are the Beloved and longing and belonging is our song. And what if Eros and “I AM” are one and I-Thou runs deep in every atomContinue reading “My Song of Songs”
Barb, poet priest 