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Temples Come Temples Go

Temples Come, Temples Go Pentecost 13, 1 Kings 8:1,6,10-11,22-30,41-43; John 6:56-69 King David imagined a house for the Lord: it would have been visible gift and reward. The prophet came back with God’s word of delay: “Let Solomon take up this dream in his day!” Stone walls lined with cedar encrusted with gold would standContinue reading “Temples Come Temples Go”

Two Sonnets, one new, one old

Two Sonnets – one new, one old Pentecost 12, John 6: 51-58 Flesh to Eat How can this man give us his flesh to eat? Not cannibals, communicants are we! To give his flesh as bread subverts defeat, forgiving our betrayals yet to be. So often he disturbs our literal sense, upsets convention, challenges what’sContinue reading “Two Sonnets, one new, one old”

Living Bread

Living Bread Pentecost 11, John 6:35;41-51 O bread of life, teach me to wait and rise, for I am flat beneath these leaden skies. The words I write are stodgy from the start – no Spirit effervescence of true art. I come to you, but hunger has grown dull; I write of you, but knowContinue reading “Living Bread”

Praying My Age

When shadows lengthen, and things that hide in shadows lurk, be to me the shaft of light that gilds me in surprise. Colour my sky. When evening darkens, and landmarks blur within the murk, be to me the eyes of owl, that guide a seeking glide. Charm me to fly. When fog confuses, and everyContinue reading “Praying My Age”

Offering

Offering John 6:1-15 (written c. 2005) His heart went out to them and he fed them, hoping they would recognize: that the satisfaction of hunger lies in leaving accustomed sustenance, and waiting for him to come amongst them, waiting in the open, in emptiness, needing to meet him and share whatever may be on offer.Continue reading “Offering”

Feeding Those Who May Not Gather

Feeding Those Who May Not Gather Pentecost 9, John 6:1-21 Confined to quarters by a covid scare no crowd can gather to be taught or fed – not that they would, for pews are partly bare on any Sunday, and though Jesus bled for all, not many hear that read. And yet a hunger lurksContinue reading “Feeding Those Who May Not Gather”

Our Need of Healing

Our Need of Healing Pentecost 8, Mark 6:30-34, 53-56 What might we learn if we gathered to share all we have taught and done? Jesus would listen and help us discern what we have lost and won. Bodies can eat here, but souls are half-starved. We come and go distressed. He says, “Let’s go toContinue reading “Our Need of Healing”

Sacred Dance

Sacred Dance Pentecost 7, 2 Samuel 6, 1-5, 12-20, Mark 6:14-29 I have witnessed sacred dancing that has stirred my very being: wordless meaning that’s enhancing prayer inspired by what I’m seeing – spirit stirring, feelings freeing. Yet our mainstream church disdains it, though the censure is unspoken: formal liturgy restrains it into gestures thatContinue reading “Sacred Dance”

Shake off the Dust

Shake off the Dust Pentecost 6, Mark 6:1-13 The locals doubted Jesus could be wise: he grew to manhood right before their eyes, a carpenter whose kin they thought they knew. His gift was hampered, though he healed a few. Belief, it seems, enables Spirit power, and sceptics flourish in this day and hour, pursuingContinue reading “Shake off the Dust”