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Changing our Point of View

Changing our Point of ViewPentecost 4, 1 Samuel 15:34-16:13, 2 Corinthians 5:6-10, 14-17, Mark 4:26-34For anyone in Christa new creation callsin love that urges change:to walk by faith not sight,to live not for ourselvesbut with the risen Christ,to lift our blinkered gazefrom human points of view.The old has passed away:the world no longer spinson axisContinue reading “Changing our Point of View”

Home not Home

Home not HomePentecost 3, Mark 3:19b-35Then he went home; perhaps he hopedfor quiet time with family,affection free of fresh demands,a sheltered space of privacythat might restore his energy.But crowds came, urgent in their need,and sought him out. The streets were lined,and villagers, resentful, said:“Young carpenter has lost his mind!”Familiarity is blind.Perhaps his brothers felt ashamed,orContinue reading “Home not Home”

What if Jesus Says “Eat!”

What if Jesus says “Eat!”Pentecost 2; Mark 2:23-3:6Long held rules seem to say:“Don’t let hunger prevail,though you walk in ripe fields!Keep the Sabbath rites pure!”Then though Jesus says: “Eat!”,Pharisees lurk in waitto accuse and conspire,using law as their power.Can we let Christ be Lordof the Sabbath as well?Are we governed by rulesthat he might setContinue reading “What if Jesus Says “Eat!””

Nicodemus at Night

Nicodemus at Night Trinity Sunday; John 3:1-17Then Nicodemus came by night –a man of law-trained, literal mindreplete with Scripture he could cite.He knew his peers would be unkind,so sure of ways they thought were right,but he must see what he would find.Perhaps this Jesus came from God -some words rang true, he’d seen the signs,butContinue reading “Nicodemus at Night”

Come, Holy Spirit, Breathe

Come, Holy Spirit, BreatheDay of Pentecost; Ezekiel 37:1-14, Acts 2:1-21, John 15:26,27, 16:4b-15Come, Holy Spirit, breathe, put flesh and life on bones:on desiccated liturgies and rigid ribs of pews.We’ve lost the gift of tongues, the surge of fire and wind,the burning in the heart that leaps to recognize good news.Like wind that summons change, stirContinue reading “Come, Holy Spirit, Breathe”

Ascension?

Ascension?Ascension Day; Acts 1:1-11; Matthew 28: 16-20He vanished from their sight, but did he riseto lofty palaces above the skiesto sit in gloried state at God’s right hand?Or did he slip among them where they stand?The angels laughed: “Why do you seek afarthe one who’s always with you where you are?”To visions bringing insight, itContinue reading “Ascension?”

Dilemmas of Love

Dilemmas of LoveEaster 6; John 15:9-17So you said to your friends in farewell:“This is my commandment,that you love one anotheras I have loved you.”No need of ten commandments:this one is challenge enough.No doubt it would change the world,but how do we live up to it?How do we love as you loved,you who are love embodied,weContinue reading “Dilemmas of Love”

God is Love

God is love (Easter 5 John 15:1-8, 1 John 4:7-21)All people who use languageare second-hand word-mongers:we mangle words or varnishby buying into meaningsto suit rival agendas.We fumble in our juggling,and truth becomes entangledwith hurts to which we’re subject,and what one hears, anotherwould never have imagined.So “God is love” gets twistedfor some who hear “Our Father”.TheyContinue reading “God is Love”

Warning: Sheep Astray

Warning: Sheep AstrayEaster 4; Psalm 23Good shepherd, there is much we seem to lack,though having much has blurred the truth of need.If you could lead us weary creatures back,green pastures and still pools might soothe and feed.Our souls are parched, our bodies over fed;right pathways now have given way to roads.We seek refreshment, yet willContinue reading “Warning: Sheep Astray”

A Greeting of Peace

A Greeting of PeaceEaster 3; Luke 24:36b-48; Acts 3:12-20; Psalm 4He stood among them, offered them his peace.Amazed and doubting, they were terrified:they thought they saw the ghost of one who’d died.How did he help their fear and doubt to cease?He chose to let them see his damaged flesh;he showed the wounds in hands andContinue reading “A Greeting of Peace”