Barb, poet priest

How Can These Things Be

How Can These Things Be
Lent 2; John 3:1-17
Reflect on this encounter in the night -
a literal mind tests signs and teaching heard.
The Rabbi Jesus speaks in metaphor
to lead to truth beyond the factual word.

This Pharisee comes seeking something new:
his walls of laws begin to seem too tight
like mother’s womb to baby ripe for birth,
but still he mocks, lest “born again” prove right.

He’d rather cite the limits of the flesh,
for Spirit seems too nebulous, untamed.
What would he be if he were Spirit born?
What of respect and leadership he’d claimed?

This Jesus says he speaks of what he knows -
does that rings true? Is “God with us” much more
than Nicodemus dreamed, his world made new
and God more loving than he thought before?

If one beloved of God can give his life
to save the world, not righteously condemn,
then how did “born again” become a term
applied to label sides as “us” or “them”?

If God is love, then “others” are all “us”,
progressive and conservative are one
and we might find in world-wide holy books
the love and mercy shown us by God’s Son.

The Spirit like the wind moves where it will,
we don’t know how it comes or where it goes.
Responding in the moment, we are changed
as wind shapes trees to bend the way it blows.
   Barbara Messner 25/02/2026

Redemptive Choices in the Wilderness

Redemptive Choices in the Wilderness
Lent 1; Matthew 4:1-11
The Spirit leads us to the wilderness
when worldly thoughtless ways hold us in thrall.
Temptation and privation curse or bless.
We stumble from our sleep at wake-up call.

It may be failure that will make us search
to redefine the bounds of who we are.
The wrong success can knock us from our perch –
the ladder slippery and the climb too far.

Sometimes when we have landed on the rocks,
we find our self-dazed vision graced by stars.
When we refuse to heed the voice that mocks,
some key we always held unlocks our bars.

We smell the bracing scent of desert sage
that clears the mind of money-making smog.
We turn to wisdom from a sacred page,
respect the nature of each stone and log.

Things aren’t made solely for our kind to use -
they’re part of Earth’s design in their own right.
Each fallen tree small animals can choose
to hide them from the soaring raptor’s sight.

Let songs of Earth stir music in our soul:
we’ll treasure every leaf and fragile flower.
We’ll glimpse in harshest lands a living whole,
eternity made present in each hour.

Then hunger sets aside temptation’s meals,
and loneliness need not attract false praise,
we’d rather know how being helpless feels
than choose the power the evil one displays.

Then false Satanic promises are left
to wither on the desert’s burning sand.
The tempter leaves, of this wise prey bereft,
and angels wait on one who makes a stand.
	Barbara Messner 18/02/2026

Radical Advice from Jesus’ Wisdom Teaching

Radical Advice from Jesus’ Wisdom Teaching
Epiphany 6; Matthew 5:21-37
To deal with anger without harm
might put an end to war
and hostile forces could disarm
and give up keeping score.

If insults could be set aside,
the stranger seen as kin,
then hells of hatred and of pride
would cease and peace begin.

When sides contend, be reconciled
and find that both can win.
Seek compromise that’s fair and mild:
let grace and calm come in.

Don’t act on lust and guard your eyes:
don’t look with leering gaze.
Respect the other and be wise
to walk in godly ways.

In partnerships, communicate
before the bond turns sour!
Seek insight so you both relate
without abuse of power.

Respond to others as you would
that others might treat you.
No quarrels! Seek the common good!
Let Christ in you make new!
	Barbara Messner 12/02/2026

Blessed or Not

Blessed or Not
Epiphany 4; Matthew 5:1-12
Do you know what it means to be blessed?
Not achieving the goals of this age:
to be wealthy, well known, in control.
No, the poor who are free of self-pride,
find the space for God’s kingdom within.

Do you know what it means to be blessed?
Not repressing the grief in our hearts
so we’re numb to what causes us pain.
No, the ones who acknowledge their loss
open hearts so some comfort is shared.

Do you know what it means to be blessed?
Not well trained for some public display, 
so persuasive, well groomed, self-assured.
No, the meek in simplicity sit,
tuning in to the wisdom of Earth.

Do you know what it means to be blessed?
Not just hiding our heads in the sand
so complacency is not disturbed.
No, the hunger for justice and truth
is assuaged in supporting what’s right.

Do you know what it means to be blessed?
Not to profit by others’ defeat
or to murder behind duty’s mask.
No, compassion and kindness can heal,
mercy given lets mercy return.

Do you know what it means to be blessed?
Not dark glasses obscuring the light
that might show us our faults and world need.
No, awareness of others and self  
clears our hearts to encounter our God.

Do you know what it means to be blessed?
Not invading to gather more power,
knocking down all that gets in our way.
No, it’s those who embrace and make peace
who are named as the children of God.

Being blessed is not safe and assured,
for the prophets who dare to speak out
are at risk of abuse and self-doubt.
Blessed are those who rejoice and are glad,
finding God in the turmoil and pain.
	Barbara Messner 28/01/2026

Light in Our Darkness
Epiphany 3; Isaiah 9:1-4, Matthew 4:12-25
(for the Sunday between 22 January, the National Day of Mourning for those killed in the Hannukah terrorist attack and 26 January, Australia Day, also commemorated as Survival Day or Invasion Day)
In the light of the prophecy’s words,
Matthew said: Jesus came as the light
that would dawn on the land by the sea
to fulfil what Isaiah had dreamed.

There the gloom would be gone from their souls,
light would shine in the darkness of grief
and the anguish of ancient contempt
would be lifted and turned into joy.

Galilee of the nations, rejoice!
He makes glorious the way of the sea,
for he breaks the oppressor’s harsh rod
and the yoke of their burden grows light.

Jesus, come to our land by the sea
which is darkened by grief and contempt:
nation mourning a terror attack,
15 dead of a long-nurtured hate.

Violence rooted in conflict abroad –
it’s too easy to pass on the blame.
In Australia, invaders were white,
with their guns and their arrogant claims.

Can we celebrate national pride
on a day when First Nations must mourn:
British flag raised, ignoring their rights
swept aside by ignored genocide?

Hidden truths we must bring to the light.
Sorry Day lit a candle soon snuffed:
referendum defeated, hope lost,
racist hate shouts abuse in our streets.

Jesus come to our land by the sea
that is darkened by violence and grief!
Bring good news, teach and heal our disease,
open ears so hard stories are heard!
Barbara Messner 22/01/2026

Come and See

Come and See
Epiphany 2; Isaiah 49:1-7; John 1:29-42
When Jesus read the Servant’s Songs
he understood what he must be,
God’s servant: formed in mother’s womb,
in life and death, his destiny.

John named him as the Son of God,
the Lamb of God who bears our pain.
John saw God’s Spirit like a dove
descend on Jesus and remain.

Yes, like all those who follow him,
I am invited: ‘Come and see!”
“What are you looking for?” he says.
I ponder now what that might be.

Let me receive his grace and peace!
Perhaps I need simplicity,
acceptance of uncertainty,
the trust to face mortality.

When he invites me: “Come and see!”
I see him face his death and pain,
accepting, yet in anguished prayer,
as human as I must remain.

He never lived to face old age,
but I don’t doubt he understands:
time comes when I know I must leave
works, hopes and lives in others’ hands.

I follow still and while I can
I ask the Spirit to reveal
in what I write the truth of Christ
that through me he can teach and heal.
	Barbara Messner 15/01/2026

Not the Jesus He Wanted

Not the Jesus He Wanted
The Baptism of the Lord; Matthew 3:13-17
When Jesus came to John to be baptized,
the Baptist baulked, suggested roles reversed.
He wanted One whose power was recognized:
refining fire, not Human One immersed,
to surface breathless, shaking with the chill
of river running down a crack in earth.
“Now let it be,” said Jesus. “To fulfil
this rightness is shared sign of Spirit birth.”

Like John, we’d like our Jesus to aspire
to conquer evil, gather up the grain,
disposing of the chaff in judgement’s fire
so good will flourish without need of pain.
God’s Spirit came to Jesus like a dove,
a gentle creature, not a searing flame.
God’s voice assured him of his Father’s love,
well pleased he chose humility, not fame.

So when we want a Lord up in the sky
who reaches down to pull the puppets’ strings,
and sweeps away abusers from on high,
policing Earth with might on angel wings,
remember, Jesus lived to heal and teach;
he chose to share our suffering and death,
prayed desperately when God seemed out of reach,
forgave his enemies with laboured breath.

Now when Earth’s rulers claim God’s on their side
in war, harsh action and the need to win,
the god they worship is their power and pride.
Though propaganda justifies the sin,
their nation’s profit still is selfish gain.
The people who exemplify Christ’s way
do not hit back but face the risk and pain,
and sometimes bring to light a brighter day.
	Barbara Messner 7/01/2026

Magi Returning

Magi Returning
Epiphany; Matthew 2:1-12
“Epiphany” means that flash of insight
or moment of joyful awareness
that seems like a precious gift,
to which our response is gratitude
maybe followed by exploration,
or even difficult commitment
if we live into what’s revealed.

Where did epiphany take the magi
who had already travelled far
in search of a significant child
whose existence would verify
their scholarly interpretation
of prophecies, dreams and stars.

Exploring where wisdom leads
requires a journey, but swift insight
may change the destination and arrival
may surprise by transforming
all reasonable hypotheses.

Did the wise ones painfully discover
that encounter with the divine
is not to be found or safely shared
in ornate palaces of power?
Where did that leave them,
if indeed they were kings
who would journey back
by another road
to the countries left behind?

Did they regret the treasures
suited to a royal child
but given to a poor family
about to become refugees?
Or were they glad at least
to offer some recompense
because they were at fault
straying from star path to palace
and revealing their mission
to a jealous and murderous king?

Modern mercenary minds resist
receiving or responding to epiphanies,
or recognizing the wisdom of the wise.
Now few would set out
guided by prophecies, dreams and stars,
while many are easily distracted
by the lure of power and wealth
and lose track of their star path
once so bravely chosen.
As for poor children and refugees,
there are few gifts to sustain them
and few countries to harbour them.
Jesus was fortunate in that respect.

What did these foreign travelers see
when they knelt before this child?
Were they enchanted by a limpid gaze,
a hint of future wisdom beyond theirs?
How could they learn from such a child,
as yet too young to teach in words?
How could they follow his way of life
when they returned to far off lands?

In Eliot’s Journey of the Magi, they returned
“no longer at ease here, in the old dispensation,
with an alien people clutching their gods”,
but what if insight opened inner eyes,
liberating their view of God,
and their perception of humanity,
so they judged no-one alien, all akin?
Would they not change how wisdom ruled,
more just, more humble and more kind?
	Barbara Messner 30/12/2025

Empire or Reign of God

Empire or Reign of God
Christmas
There rose an empire based in Rome;
fine ruins still recall its fame.
They said their emperors were gods;
few people now would praise their name.

In conquered lands a child was born;
his fate to die by empire’s will.
Now though two thousand years have gone,
his birth and death are honoured still.

The Caesars did not save the world
as their supporters thought they would,
nor bring world peace through victory,
as several tyrants claimed they could.

The one we call the Prince of Peace
did not seek power by making war.
Peace comes through justice he suggests:
his words were good news for the poor.

No empire when God’s kingdom comes;
no privilege, no rule by wealth!
Resources and respect are shared
so all have what they need for health.

Though peace through justice may seem slow,
yet slaves were freed and women vote.
Those once despised now teach and lead,
acknowledged for their works of note.

Though many mock and some abuse,
still Jesus’ people dare believe
that what he taught and how he lived
can bring the change Earth must receive.

His mother spoke of empire’s doom:
God lifts the lowly, might will fall.
Oppressive rule may have its day:
God with us loves us through it all.

And that’s the lesson this world needs:
be with each other, not against!
Then love reveals transforming ways
and opens up what once was fenced.
	Barbara Messner 22/12/2025