Responding to the CallingEpiphany 5; Luke 5:1-11No, the miracles weren’t what convinced us:neither finding of fish we’d been missing,nor the healing of someone at Simon’s,neither stories of words from the heavens,nor a dove flitting down on his shoulder.Maybe these were for some confirmation,and for those left behind, compensation.As for us, we were hooked when weContinue reading “Responding to the Calling”
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Reflections
ReflectionsEpiphany 4; 1 Corinthians 13;12,13If we look to see others in dusty mirrorswhere we are accustomed to find our face,they are distant reflections of shapes and shadowsthat cannot be us, in their separate space.Now if only we dare to release our image,and turn our regard to look face to face,then we both will be moreContinue reading “Reflections”
Good News to the Poor
Good News to the PoorEpiphany 3; Luke 4:14-21On January 26, 1788,an English fleet landedhere, and formally possessedwhat was not theirs to possess.They did not even acknowledgethat they had invadedthe lands of the Gadigal nation,one of many nationswho lived as custodiansof country for 60,000 years.Now let us respect Survival Day,and if we celebrate Australia Day,let usContinue reading “Good News to the Poor”
Accepting the Time
Accepting the TimeEpiphany 2; John 2:1-11“My time has not yet come!” he said at first;but changed his mind, turned water into wine.Was there a premonition of the thirstwhen cross upon a hill became his sign?Then service before safety was his choice,or would be from this moment on that day.He heard the harsh resistance in hisContinue reading “Accepting the Time”
Baptism as Watershed
Baptism as WatershedThe Baptism of the Lord; Luke 3:15-22John and Jesusin the waters:they were connectedbefore they were born,enfolded in separatebut related watersin Elizabeth, Mary,two prophet women,pregnant and waiting,singing their songsof liberation.At that meeting the childin the womb leapt for joy.Perhaps Mary ponderedprophetic knowingin one not yet born.And what of her foetusforetold by an angel?John andContinue reading “Baptism as Watershed”
The Journey of the Wise
The Journey of the WiseEpiphany – Matthew 2:1-12There was a time when kings and queens were wiseand wisdom writings seen as Sacred Word;then Wisdom Woman, God in female guise,spoke at the crossroads and was widely heard.Young Solomon had prayed for wisdom’s sight;a wisdom school was fostered at his court,and foreign leaders came to share theContinue reading “The Journey of the Wise”
Christmas Giving
Christmas GivingI have no grandchildrento whom to give the giftsexpected at Christmas time.If I did, I would not givewhat the shops lure them to want –not electronic games, but clayanimals my hands have shaped,baked in the sun; not Barbiesbut hand-made dolls, knitted perhapsand stuffed with carded woolstill smelling of sheep.Would the childrens’ disgruntled politenesssmile theirContinue reading “Christmas Giving”
With Joy You Will Draw Water
With Joy You Will Draw WaterAdvent 3: Zephaniah 3:14-20, Isaiah 12:2-6Joy bubbles up like some underground streamchannelled 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 after they’ve come:yet they awaken the ground allContinue reading “With Joy You Will Draw Water”
Singing after Silence
Singing after SilenceAdvent 2; Luke 1:68-89 (Song of Zechariah)Zechariah sang after silence.Without that muted waiting, would he have found his song?Doubt left him wordless,no questions or answers, just listening.Long awaited birth woke eloquence.Our world is clamorous; impatient with waiting, we exile silence,deaf to the still, small voice of mystery.There’s no hope of birthwithout the growingContinue reading “Singing after Silence”
Advent Song
Advent SongAdvent brings a pregnant waitinghoping for divine surprise.We expect the birth of Wisdom,truth that’s shaped to fit our eyes:gift of being needs our seeingmeaning in a baby’s cries.Advent intersects with prophetsexiled to beyond the walls,speaking of the need to journeyand to heed the word that calls:lonely teaching, dazed with reachingto where light or shadowContinue reading “Advent Song”
Barb, poet priest 