Day after the MiraclePentecost 11; John 6:24-35When they found him next day Jesus said:“You have eaten your fill of the loaves,but you fail to see feeding as sign.”They were asking what works he would doto be proof that was worth their belief,though they’d seen a child’s lunch feed them all.Seems our eyesight’s as blinkered asContinue reading “Day after the Miracle”
Category Archives: Pentecost
Our Need of Healing
Our Need of HealingPentecost 9, Mark 6:30-34, 53-56What might we learn if we gathered to shareall we have taught and done?Jesus would listen and help us discernwhat we have lost and won.Bodies can eat here, but souls are half-starved.We come and go distressed.He says, “Let’s go to a peaceful place,”calming our breath to rest.Ours notContinue reading “Our Need of Healing”
Sacred Dance
Sacred DancePentecost 7, 2 Samuel 6, 1-5, 12-20, Mark 6:14-29I have witnessed sacred dancingthat has stirred my very being:wordless meaning that’s enhancingprayer inspired by what I’m seeing –spirit stirring, feelings freeing.Yet our mainstream church disdains it,though the censure is unspoken:formal liturgy restrains itinto gestures that are token,careful that no power is woken.With exuberance, King DaviddancedContinue reading “Sacred Dance”
Shake Off the Dust and Move On
Shake Off the Dust and Move OnPentecost 7; Mark 6:11If you find no welcome thereand your words seem wasted air,shake off the dust and move on.Don’t despair if they don’t care;turn your back on their stony stare.Shake off the dust and move on.If your joy in being dies,captured by restraints and ties,shake off the dustContinue reading “Shake Off the Dust and Move On”
Daughter, Your Faith Has Made You Well
Daughter, Your Faith Has Made You WellPentecost 6, Mark 5:21-43She touched his cloak, believing she would heal.The bleeding stopped; she knew that she was free.His power went forth, a flow that he could feel.“Who touched my clothes?” he said and turned to see.She found the strength to own what she had done;her honest courage helpedContinue reading “Daughter, Your Faith Has Made You Well”
Who then is this?
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?”
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”
Barb, poet priest 