He Calls by Name and Leads Easter 4; Psalm 23, John 10:1-10 Jesus used figures of speech: “I am the good shepherd; I am the gate.” Part of me resists those images. Sheep in this land are business; it was said Australia rode on their backs, a heavy weight for a small animal. The careContinue reading “Two Shepherd Poems”
Category Archives: Easter
The Road to Emmaus
The Road to Emmaus (sing to tune Christe Sanctorum, Christ is the world’s light TiS246) Easter 3; Luke 24:13-35 We know that weary way, burdened, walking, talking, thinking returning might relieve our grieving. Though Jesus does come near, eyes are kept from seeing Christ risen, God with us. When someone walks with us, asks toContinue reading “The Road to Emmaus”
Thomas and Jesus
Thomas and Jesus Easter 2; John 20:19-31 “Then let us go that we may die with him.” Brave words of love were these that Thomas spoke. Could such commitment suddenly grow dim, or hope destroyed make love a bitter joke? Why was he absent when Christ first appeared? Had grief and anger kept him fromContinue reading “Thomas and Jesus”
With Fear and Great Joy
With Fear and Great Joy Easter Day; Matthew 28:1-10; Colossians 3:1-4 Come in, stranger! Be welcome among us, though I fear you will shrink in discomfort from uncomfortable seats and page turning, and from songs about dying and rising in the old-fashioned words of our hymn book. I fear scorn as I try to imagineContinue reading “With Fear and Great Joy”
Communion
Communion Easter 7; John 17:20-26 I drove to church along the ridge of hills. The valley spread out arms to greet the town; the distant sea rose up to meet the sky; the curve of earth reversed to form a bowl in which light poured and colour overflowed. There I was drenched in brightness, litContinue reading “Communion”
The Mystery of the Ascension
The Mystery of the Ascension Ascension Day: Acts 1:1-11, Luke 24:44-53 There on the mountain top they find him gone – gone up, gone out, drawn in beyond our sight. Some doubt, some worship, hide and wait, move on; some wish to stay forever on the height. Was incarnation nothing but a play? Is GodContinue reading “The Mystery of the Ascension”
Remembered Words
Remembered Words Easter 6; John 14:23-29 I wonder, if I saw the end in sight, what words of comfort, stretching like a rope across the threat of absence, would hold tight the truth that helps us walk the slippery slope? At that Last Supper, Jesus knew the plight that day would bring. He tried toContinue reading “Remembered Words”
Paradox
Paradox Easter 5; John 13:31-35 When Judas left and walked into the night, and Jesus knew that he would be denied, betrayed, abandoned to his plight, he said that he and God were glorified. It seems a paradox to human eyes that glory is revealed in pain and death, but this is the transformative surpriseContinue reading “Paradox”
Season Break
Season Break One day, windy in mid-autumn, the bush was wild in flail of fall. Dead leaves sacrificed to drought skittered and whirled across the road, and hills were blurred with dust and smoke. I felt the threat and promise of change in ragged clouds and restless wind. Old farmers here say season break comesContinue reading “Season Break”
Tell Us Plainly
Tell us Plainly Easter 4; John 10:22-30 There’s some who want a label, clearly stated, so they can judge and file this case away. The evidence of deeds is under rated, and mystery ignored on every day. If Jesus said, “For sure, I’m God’s Messiah!” they’d call it blasphemy and want him dead, dismiss himContinue reading “Tell Us Plainly”
Barb, poet priest 