Who then is this?Pentecost 5, Mark 4:35-41“Who then is this?” we ask.Do winds and waves obeya being set apartwith words we dare not say,not even when we pray?“Who then is this?” we ask.A man so spent and wornhe cannot help but sleep,although the skies are tornand there may be no dawn.“Who then is this?” weContinue reading “Who then is this?”
Category Archives: Pentecost
Changing our Point of View
Changing our Point of ViewPentecost 4, 1 Samuel 15:34-16:13, 2 Corinthians 5:6-10, 14-17, Mark 4:26-34For anyone in Christa new creation callsin love that urges change:to walk by faith not sight,to live not for ourselvesbut with the risen Christ,to lift our blinkered gazefrom human points of view.The old has passed away:the world no longer spinson axisContinue reading “Changing our Point of View”
Home not Home
Home not HomePentecost 3, Mark 3:19b-35Then he went home; perhaps he hopedfor quiet time with family,affection free of fresh demands,a sheltered space of privacythat might restore his energy.But crowds came, urgent in their need,and sought him out. The streets were lined,and villagers, resentful, said:“Young carpenter has lost his mind!”Familiarity is blind.Perhaps his brothers felt ashamed,orContinue reading “Home not Home”
What if Jesus Says “Eat!”
What if Jesus says “Eat!”Pentecost 2; Mark 2:23-3:6Long held rules seem to say:“Don’t let hunger prevail,though you walk in ripe fields!Keep the Sabbath rites pure!”Then though Jesus says: “Eat!”,Pharisees lurk in waitto accuse and conspire,using law as their power.Can we let Christ be Lordof the Sabbath as well?Are we governed by rulesthat he might setContinue reading “What if Jesus Says “Eat!””
Come, Holy Spirit, Breathe
Come, Holy Spirit, BreatheDay of Pentecost; Ezekiel 37:1-14, Acts 2:1-21, John 15:26,27, 16:4b-15Come, Holy Spirit, breathe, put flesh and life on bones:on desiccated liturgies and rigid ribs of pews.We’ve lost the gift of tongues, the surge of fire and wind,the burning in the heart that leaps to recognize good news.Like wind that summons change, stirContinue reading “Come, Holy Spirit, Breathe”
Entrusted to Make the Best of What We’re Given
Entrusted to Make the Best of What We’re Given Pentecost 25; Matthew 25:14-30 There are talents we’ve been given here at hand – ingenuity, resources, power enough – to turn back the ticking clocks of climate change, and restore the fraught ecology of earth. Still we bury that potential out of fear of the consequencesContinue reading “Entrusted to Make the Best of What We’re Given”
Wise or Foolish
Wise or Foolish Pentecost 24; Matthew 25:1-13 Ten bridesmaids await the groom. Those with lanterns still alight follow to the feasting room; five have gone off out of sight. Those with spare oil would not share, fearing none would have enough – wise perhaps, but lacking care? Foolish ones must do it tough. Though theyContinue reading “Wise or Foolish”
Love and the Referendum
Love and the Referendum Pentecost 22; Matthew 22:34-46, Deuteronomy 34:1-12 “Love God. Love neighbour.” Jesus said that these are life’s great laws. Did those who voted “No” that day let love give cause to pause? If we refuse to listen, can First Nations know we care? Both lovers urged us to say “Yes”, but fearContinue reading “Love and the Referendum”
A Frank Exchange of Views
A Frank Exchange of Views Pentecost 21, Matthew 22:15-23, Exodus 33:12-23 Both God and Jesus welcome a debate, a frank exchange of views to clear the air. When Moses talks to God, he tells it straight, and God lets go of wrath, reverts to care. The Sadducees and scribes use words to snare, but JesusContinue reading “A Frank Exchange of Views”
Invited to Attend
Invited to Attend Pentecost 20; Matthew 22:1-14 I admit I was invited to attend that wedding banquet. It would be a celebration of life’s intimate commitment and potential procreation. Somehow that seemed uninviting: I’d no time nor inclination to join mass produced rejoicing. I had one regret – the gardens. There I knew I’d findContinue reading “Invited to Attend”
Barb, poet priest 