God with us Advent 4; Matthew 1:23 Commercial Christmas has no place for God, yet baby Jesus, Season’s icon, might be found on billboards and the internet. Lip service offered blandly may still serve to claim him space within our consciousness. Co-opted and profaned as pretext, still Christ’s coming stands as challenge to the urgeContinue reading “God with us”
Category Archives: Advent
Sharing John’s Grief and Doubt
. Sharing John’s Grief and Doubt Advent 3; Matthew 11:2-11 I grieve when I read of John imprisoned and in doubt. John as Baptist prepared the way for one more powerful than himself, one who would take an axe to the fruitless, thresh the grain and burn the chaff with unquenchable fire. Who is John,Continue reading “Sharing John’s Grief and Doubt”
Answering the Doubt of John the Baptist
Answering the Doubt of John the Baptist Advent 3; Matthew 11:2-11 Imprisoned, John sends Jesus word of doubt. “Are you in truth the one who is to come?” Must he with death in sight be left without both call and vision that are his life’s sum? Says Jesus: “Tell John what you see and hear:Continue reading “Answering the Doubt of John the Baptist”
Who Can Hear
Who Can Hear Advent 2; Matthew 3:1-12 Hear John the Baptist’s words shout from the page: abuse of privilege stirs sacred rage. Our wilderness of concrete is as bare as desert dunes in desiccated air. Brave voices still cry out: “Prepare the way!” I see no crowds admitting that they stray and plunging deep inContinue reading “Who Can Hear”
That Unexpected Hour
That Unexpected Hour Advent 1; Matthew 24:36-44 Eating, drinking, knowing nothing, they were swept away by flood. Noah’s ark they must have laughed at; he saw futures beyond mud. There are warnings! Are we listening? Do we hear what prophets say? “Keep awake!” is still the challenge, lest time’s thief takes all away. Who’ll beContinue reading “That Unexpected Hour”
Elizabeth Greeting Mary
Elizabeth Greeting Mary Advent 4; Luke 1:39-45 I call her blessed, and so it seems am I, with new life growing in a womb long bare, and though as victims both our sons might die, their purpose justifies the risks they’ll share. A fearless prophet waits to leave my thighs, the one who’ll dare toContinue reading “Elizabeth Greeting Mary”
Blessed among Women
Blessed Among Women Advent 4: Luke 1:39-45 Then Elizabeth, filled with the Spirit, said that you would be blessed among women, but we struggle to see you here, Mary, though we long to take part in that blessing, in the God-bearer’s loving and knowing. Come and teach us your gift of commitment: “Let it beContinue reading “Blessed among Women”
With Joy You Will Draw Water
With Joy You Will Draw Water Advent 3: Zephaniah 3:14-20, Isaiah 12:2-6 Joy bubbles up like some underground stream channelled 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 afterContinue reading “With Joy You Will Draw Water”
Prepare the Way of the Lord
Prepare the Way of the Lord Advent 2: Luke 3:1-6, Malachi 3:1-14, Luke 1: 68-79 (Song of Zechariah) There are voices who cry out within our wilderness for the sake of Earth and desperate refugees, for the dispossessed First Nations still without redress and the women with no voice to frame their pleas. Like theContinue reading “Prepare the Way of the Lord”
Barb, poet priest 