Jesus Lifted Up Draws Us to HimselfLent 5; John 12:20-33The crowd had thought his glory would be power.He chose to ride a donkey as foretold, but though they shouted: “Blessings on the King!”he knew their expectations soon would sour.But when some Greeks were drawn to seek him out,he saw it as a sign his hourContinue reading “Jesus lifted Up Draws Us to Himself”
Category Archives: Lent
God So Loves the World
God So Loves the WorldLent 4; John 3:14-21; Numbers 21:4-9Though God so loves the worldthe worldly make self god.They do not prize the giftthe Son is meant to be.What serves their purposesis all that they can see.What value put on lovethat’s offered to all free?Though God so loves the worldthe greedy make wealth god.Where’s profitContinue reading “God So Loves the World”
The Cleansing
The CleansingLent 3, John 2:13-22, Luke 12:32If he came to our churches on Sundayto be awkwardly greeted as strangerwould he fashion a whip for our cleansingwould we cringe from his anger as danger?Would he drive out conservative? liberal?or upend those who balance on fences?What offence might he take, at what practice?Would he shake up ourContinue reading “The Cleansing”
God Laughs, Weeps and Loves
God Laughs, Weeps and LovesLent 2; Genesis 17:1-17, Mark 8:31-38One theological truth I affirm:God has a sense of humourand we are made in that image too.Bless the Lord who laughs, weeps and loves.God made Abraham a solemn promiseand adjusted his name to mean”father of a multitude”, so Abrahamfell on his face and laughed,for he wasContinue reading “God Laughs, Weeps and Loves”
The Time is Fulfilled
The Time is FulfilledLent 1; Mark 1:9-15When we rise in urgent needseeking sun and air,from the depths enclosing uslike a womb or tomb,heavens open; gracious lifeswoops to meet us there,naming us as family,with the world our room.Something divine will alight on us,something human finds wings,something is heard that delights in us,something gives voice and sings.WhenContinue reading “The Time is Fulfilled”
The Poet’s Call to Connect
The Poet’s Call to Connect Lent 5; Ezekiel 37:1-14; John 11;1-45 To seek connection is the poet’s art. In metaphor the meaning is revealed to souls responding with a joyous start, with ardent breath and spring of tears that yield an opening into mystery’s large heart. Then stories stir like bones at prophet’s word, connecting,Continue reading “The Poet’s Call to Connect”
A Man Born Blind
A Man Born Blind Lent 4; John 9:1-41 A man born blind finds more to see than those who choose to set aside the gift of sight for fear of what may face them in the light: the chasms gaping in the path they chose, the pools of darkness that their shadow throws; for these,Continue reading “A Man Born Blind”
The Woman at the Well
The Woman at the Well Lent 3; John 4:5-42 She came at noon to skip the village talk. She’d rather have the heat than veiled disdain. He stayed at noon and let disciples walk, and when she came for water sensed her pain. He broke taboos in asking for a drink. “How is it, you,Continue reading “The Woman at the Well”
Nicodemus at Night
Nicodemus at Night Lent 2; John 3:1-17 Then Nicodemus came by night – a man of law-trained, literal mind replete 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 –Continue reading “Nicodemus at Night”
In the Wilderness
In the Wilderness Lent 1; Matthew 4:1-11 Jesus fasted in the wilderness at the beginning of his ministry. Baptized, commissioned, he was led up by the Spirit to be tempted by the devil – holy and diabolical collaboration? He rejected programs for happiness based on instinctual needs for security, esteem, power – so writes ThomasContinue reading “In the Wilderness”
Barb, poet priest 