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Freedom and Choice

Freedom and ChoiceEaster 7; Acts 16:16-40Freedom sometimes comeswhen foundations shakemaking doors spring wide.Earth shrugs off our chains.Free to go or stayPaul and Silas chose.“We are here!” they cried,saved the guard from harm.Then he washed their wounds,asked to be baptizedwith his family:faith born from relief.Though they were released,Paul claimed Roman rights,forced apologies.They were asked to leave.DidContinue reading “Freedom and Choice”

Trees in the Wind

Trees in the WindLeaves and twigs of blue gum treestossing in this gusty windsurge and thrash like storm lashed seas.Underneath the trunks are stillstanding strong amidst the stir.Could I learn such steadfast will?There are limbs of other gumschange will cause to drop to earth:death if one unwary comes.For the tree, is such loss wise,letting goContinue reading “Trees in the Wind”

Farewell Discourse

Farewell Discourse(Lyrics of a song to a Hebridean Folk tune, Eriskay Love Lilt)Easter 6; John 14:23-291.That last night he washed their feetand they shared the wine and bread.Facing death, he taught themlove would live though he’s dead.2.”Those who love me keep the wordthat the Father sent in me.We will love them and come;there at homeContinue reading “Farewell Discourse”

Dreaming a New Creation

Dreaming a New CreationEaster 5; Acts 11:1-18In Peter’s dream, the creatures deemed uncleanin sacred scrolls were called food fit to eat.Three times he heard the Spirit’s voice repeat:“Don’t call profane what God has now made clean!”Then Peter, urged by vision’s metaphor,agreed to travel to a Gentile home,invited by an officer from Rome –a breach ofContinue reading “Dreaming a New Creation”

Tell Us Plainly

Tell us PlainlyEaster 4; John 10:22-30There’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 him as deluded or a liar,and heap their scornContinue reading “Tell Us Plainly”

The Encounter on the Beach

The Encounter on the BeachEaster 3; John 21:1-19When they’d finished the meal,Jesus asked Peter an awkward question.“Simon son of John,” he said,(as though naming Peter’s attemptto revert to a pre-discipled state),“Do you love me more than these?”(Surely this was not a love competitionto choose the forerunnerof centuries of popes?)Maybe what he meant was:“Do you loveContinue reading “The Encounter on the Beach”

Doubt and Commitment

Doubt and CommitmentEaster 2; John 20:19-31When I was ordained deaconI was secretly gladthat the gospel that day spokeof Thomas the doubter,because I had my doubts -of the institutionrather than of God, and had been doubted,by the institutionalizedrather than by God.Before the doubts, Thomas said:“Let us also gothat we may die with him.”He fulfilled that commitmentlaterContinue reading “Doubt and Commitment”

Holiness and a Good Death

Holiness and a Good DeathHoly Week and Easter 2025We call this week holyand the day of his death good.How did he live that holinessknowing trauma and deathwere closing in on him?Though a victim of inhuman cruelty,how did he die revealingthe goodness and love of Godand the potential of humanity?Now in my seventies,I look to himContinue reading “Holiness and a Good Death”

Song for Holy Week

Song for Holy Week (to be sung to Kingsfold, the tune of “I heard the voice of Jesus say” Together in Song 585)1. Their cheering had a hollow soundthat only he could hear.Their expectation of a kingfell grating on his ear.They thought that God’s Anointed Onewould claim the throne to save.The woman who anointed himpreparedContinue reading “Song for Holy Week”

The House was Filled with the Fragrance

The House was Filled with the FragranceLent 5; John 12:1-11Whether or not he robs the common purse,his carping words steal beauty from her choice,and try to rob her of her hard won placeat Jesus’ feet, although her act gives voiceto gratitude for brother’s life restoredand grief prophetic of their teacher’s death.The ones who come toContinue reading “The House was Filled with the Fragrance”