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Sonnet for St. Francis

Sonnet for St. FrancisThough 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 and even dared to claimthat sun and moonContinue reading “Sonnet for St. Francis”

Some Who Follow Christ

Some Who Follow ChristPentecost 19; Mark 9:38-50I think that some who follow Christseem more against than for.No doubt they think the same of me –both look for other’s flaw.They seem to claim that any textthey quote must count as law,while I maintain inclusive lovedefeats the points they score.It sometimes seems the God they findis oppositeContinue reading “Some Who Follow Christ”

Last of All and Servant of All

Last of All and Servant of AllPentecost 18, Mark 9:30-37He taught them that the Son of Manwould 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 to be seen as great.They might have known thatContinue reading “Last of All and Servant of All”

Get Behind Me, Satan!

Get Behind Me SatanPentecost 17; Mark 8:27-38“Get behind me Satan!”he said to one he valuedas rock to build a church on:worth noting just how quicklykey insights get distortedby our survival instinctand lustful need for powerto do away with sufferingand concentrate on winning.“Oh! Get behind me Satan!”he said to something in him:a desperate human longingto sayContinue reading “Get Behind Me, Satan!”

Cast Out Demons of Dishonour

Cast Out Demons of DishonourPentecost 16; James 2:1-10, 14-17; Mark 7:24-37You shall love your neighbouras yourself,yet we project unrecognized shadowsonto others,or make distinctions that favour the rich,dishonour the poor.Historic grievances are ruins that dropharm like bombs.Demonizing difference spreads diseasethrough generations,absorbed like pollution from the environmentand now from social media.Even Jesus, vulnerable human, gone to TyretoContinue reading “Cast Out Demons of Dishonour”

My Song of Songs

My Song of SongsPentecost 15, Song of Songs 2:8-13What ifGod who loves is also loverand I and every living thingand even rocks and sunsare the Belovedand longing and belonging is our song.And what ifEros and “I AM” are oneand I-Thou runs deep in every atomand relationship is all there isand the sacred craving to comeContinue reading “My Song of Songs”

Temples Come Temples Go

Temples Come, Temples GoPentecost 14, 1 Kings 8:1,6,10-11,22-30,41-43; John 6:56-69King 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 goldwould stand as four centuries’ stories unfold.The beauty createdContinue reading “Temples Come Temples Go”

Flesh to Eat

Flesh to EatPentecost 13; John 6:51-58How 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’s right,and then must bear the brunt of our offence,flesh broken, blood poured out, the loomingContinue reading “Flesh to Eat”

Grieving over Lost Sons and Daughters

Grieving Over Lost Sons and DaughtersPentecost 11; 2 Samuel 18:5-9, 14, 31-33; Luke 13:34,35David wept:“O my son Absalom,my son, my son Absalom!Would I had died instead of you,O Absalom, my son, my son!”How many weepfor sons and daughterscaught by the headbetween heaven and earth,caught by the trap of minddislocated from body and soul!How many weepforContinue reading “Grieving over Lost Sons and Daughters”

Day after the Miracle

Day after the MiraclePentecost 11; John 6:24-35When they found him next day Jesus said:“You have eaten your fill of the loaves,but you fail to see feeding as sign.”They were asking what works he would doto be proof that was worth their belief,though they’d seen a child’s lunch feed them all.Seems our eyesight’s as blinkered asContinue reading “Day after the Miracle”