Beware Greed Pentecost 8; Luke 12:13-21 See, are not our nations like the rich man, greedy to possess the earth’s abundance, eager to build bigger and own more than anyone could need, ignoring conscience? White men came, built fences round this country, hounded, killed, abused First Nations’ peoples, trampled on millenia of their story. ForestsContinue reading “Beware Greed”
Category Archives: Pentecost
Stones or Bread
Stones or Bread Pentecost 7; Luke 11:1-13 Who gives their child a stone instead of bread? Who leaves the living land denuded, dead? We give good gifts to nurture family; Earth too is our responsibility. God gives the Holy Spirit, if we ask, to stir our will for each redemptive task. Let’s knock and walkContinue reading “Stones or Bread”
Martha Revisited
Martha Revisited Pentecost 6; Luke 10:38-42 Her resentfulness soon surfaced when once more she’s left alone with a meal to be provided. She must make the task her own since no helping hands are offered. She drags out a hefty pot; they’ll have needs and expectations, whether verbalized or not. They have gathered in theContinue reading “Martha Revisited”
The Lawyer’s Test
The Lawyer’s Test Pentecost 5; Luke 10:25-28 A lawyer came to test this man, but found his plan exposed, the test turned round. He’d thought to strip away a fake’s disguise, but truth shone clear in Jesus’ eyes. The lawyer claimed eternal life was sought, but what he found could not be taught. When JesusContinue reading “The Lawyer’s Test”
The Ordained
The Ordained Pentecost 4; Luke 10:1-12, 17-24, Luke 9:1-6; Mark 6:30-52 In Luke’s gospel, chapter 9, 12 were sent out – 12 he had ordained, we might say – New Creation version of the 12 tribes. They brought good news and healing, but they got back exhausted, grieving the execution of the Baptist. They couldContinue reading “The Ordained”
Somewhere Beside the Road
Somewhere Beside the Road (lyrics) Pentecost 3; Luke 9:57-62 1.Somewhere beside the road someone was moved to say: “I want to follow you! Near you, I know the way.” “Birds of the air have nests, and foxes have holes,” he said, “but home among humankind, where can I lay my head?” 2. No room forContinue reading “Somewhere Beside the Road”
Ceasefire
Ceasefire Pentecost 3; Luke 9:51-62 He had no truck with hatred’s tit-for-tat. His face was set towards Jerusalem: Samaritans rejected him for that. The brothers wanted fire called down on them. They’d answer coldness with destructive heat, but he rebuked them, simply went elsewhere, no honour lost, no shame for humble feet. Forget reprisals, hisContinue reading “Ceasefire”
In the Land Opposite Galilee
In the Land Opposite Galilee Pentecost 2; Luke 8: 26-39 He’d break his bonds and flee into the wild – a city man by unclean powers possessed, in lands the Roman legions occupied. The spirits said that “Legion” was their name. When demon-driven pigs fell in the lake, was that a portent of defeat ofContinue reading “In the Land Opposite Galilee”
Experiencing Pentecost in the Present
Experiencing Pentecost in the Present Day of Pentecost; Acts 2:1-21 If someone from outside comes into church, (infrequent in these days, but still we hope), they’ll see us dressed in red for Pentecost. There might be red balloons, or paper doves, or something sung in Spanish, French or Greek. How might the stranger feel theContinue reading “Experiencing Pentecost in the Present”
Don’t Judge on Appearances
Don’t Judge on Appearances Pentecost 25, 1 Samuel 1:4-20, Mark 13:1-11 Though lofty in appearance, temples fall. Our preconceptions dazzle us or blind, and prejudice makes tyrants of us all when how we mock or prize distorts our mind. Poor barren Hannah mouthing silent prayer was judged as drunk when Eli misconstrued. She had toContinue reading “Don’t Judge on Appearances”
Barb, poet priest 