As Jesus WeptLent 5; Ezekiel 37:1-14, John 11:1-45As Jesus wept for friends, for death, for grief,and still called out to one entombed: “Come out!”,we likewise grieve for wars without reliefand long to hear Christ’s bold restoring shout.So many dead and homes and land laid bare!We pray the Spirit might inspire this cry:“You shattered lands, leaveContinue reading “As Jesus Wept”
Category Archives: Lent
To See or Not To See
To See or Not to SeeLent 4; John 9:1-41Surely we are not blind, are we?We can see on our screens all manner of enticementsto alleged healing or debaucheryand are encouraged to purchasewhat we see and read about,with no personal contact or experience.We can watch people sufferingfrom war and catastrophe,from prejudice and tyrannyand we glance, grimaceContinue reading “To See or Not To See”
Some Gospel Women and I
Some Gospel Women and ILent 3; John 4:5-42When I was studying theology,but not yet accepted as an ordinand,an appointed leader told meI was not conservative enoughto become a parish priest.A few years before I retiredas the associate priest in a parish,a disenchanted ordination candidate,commenting on my preaching,thought that in the climate of her timeI wouldContinue reading “Some Gospel Women and I”
How Can These Things Be
How Can These Things BeLent 2; John 3:1-17Reflect on this encounter in the night -a literal mind tests signs and teaching heard.The Rabbi Jesus speaks in metaphorto lead to truth beyond the factual word.This Pharisee comes seeking something new:his walls of laws begin to seem too tightlike mother’s womb to baby ripe for birth,but stillContinue reading “How Can These Things Be”
Redemptive Choices in the Wilderness
Redemptive Choices in the WildernessLent 1; Matthew 4:1-11The Spirit leads us to the wildernesswhen 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 searchto redefine the bounds of who we are.The wrong success can knock us from ourContinue reading “Redemptive Choices in the Wilderness”
The House was Filled with the Fragrance
The House was Filled with the FragranceLent 5; John 12:1-11Whether or not he robs the common purse,his carping words steal beauty from her choice,and try to rob her of her hard won placeat Jesus’ feet, although her act gives voiceto gratitude for brother’s life restoredand grief prophetic of their teacher’s death.The ones who come toContinue reading “The House was Filled with the Fragrance”
The Prodigal Daughter
The Prodigal DaughterLent 4; Luke 15:11-32A young woman went off to a faraway landat a risk-taking age, with the gifts she had claimed.There she more or less squandered the hopes she had dreamed,for a love that her church-going lessons had blamed.How she hungered, and lived for the scraps that he threw,with her singer’s throat blockedContinue reading “The Prodigal Daughter”
Unless You Repent
Unless You RepentLent 3; Luke 13:1-9The victims of chance or a tyrant’s decreedid not die condemned for some personal sin,but Jesus spoke harshly to let people seesociety poised on the brink could fall in.The axe that is laid at the roots of our treeis nuclear war that no nation could win,abuse of Earth’s climate andContinue reading “Unless You Repent”
Lament for our Cities
Lament for Our CitiesLent 2; Luke 13; 31-35Weep for industrialized citieswhere the sky is dirtyand the earth cemented,where the waters are pollutedand the churches abandoned.How often has the Child of the Creatorsought to restore the Earth,and guide the people to healingin the clean flow of the Spirit,but we were not willing.Wail for commercialized cities,where theContinue reading “Lament for our Cities”
Temptations in the Wilderness
Temptations in the WildernessLent 1; Luke 4:1-15I have walked that wilderness,breathed its gritty, brazen air.Seems our culture lodges there!Voices work on our distress,tempting us to be secure –“Wealth can happiness ensure!”Spirit dreams evaporate!Bread is conjured out of stones,our reward as worker drones.“You can master petty fate!Power will help you keep your nerve!Just don’t question whoContinue reading “Temptations in the Wilderness”
Barb, poet priest 