You Give Them Something to EatPentecost 9; Matthew 14:13-21Jesus withdrew in a boat to a deserted place to grieve:mourning the execution of a prophetat the order of an indulgent king,the loss of a relative, mentor, baptizer,fearless voice from the wildernessof a colonized country.A crowd followed on foot from the townso there would be no solitude.TurningContinue reading “You Give Them Something to Eat”
Tag Archives: compassion
Fire and Division
Fire and DivisionPentecost 10; Luke 12:49-59He came to bring fire to the Earth,fire that cleanses and refines,fire that warms and enlivens.He wished it was already kindledwhile he could shelter the flame,guide it to make light, bake bread,separate pure metal from dross.Then he felt the dark and coldclosing in on him, and he knewthe spark wouldContinue reading “Fire and Division”
The Rebuke
The RebukePentecost 3; Luke 9:51-62See how Jesus is set on this journeyto the city that slaughters the prophets.He’ll be threatened by temple and empire,but he’s willing to suffer and die there,at the hands of the fearful and powerful,for the sake of God’s love and forgiveness.When they ask in a village for shelter,the Samaritans will notContinue reading “The Rebuke”
Healing Choices
Healing ChoicesEpiphany 6; 2 Kings 5:1-14; Mark 1:40-45If a slave girl had not sharedfaith in godly power to heal,if some servants had not cared,spoken out with frank appeal,would his body be restored,soul washed clean of futile pride?Naaman’s servants saved their lord,braved his wrath, set fear aside.Banned from contact, yet he cameclose to Jesus, begged andContinue reading “Healing Choices”
Barb, poet priest 