literal – Barb, poet priest

How Can These Things Be

How Can These Things BeLent 2; John 3:1-17Reflect on this encounter in the night -a literal mind tests signs and teaching heard.The Rabbi Jesus speaks in metaphorto lead to truth beyond the factual word.This Pharisee comes seeking something new:his walls of laws begin to seem too tightlike mother’s womb to baby ripe for birth,but stillContinue reading “How Can These Things Be”

Flesh to Eat

Flesh to EatPentecost 13; John 6:51-58How can this man give us his flesh to eat?Not cannibals, communicants are we!To give his flesh as bread subverts defeat,forgiving our betrayals yet to be.So often he disturbs our literal sense,upsets convention, challenges what’s right,and then must bear the brunt of our offence,flesh broken, blood poured out, the loomingContinue reading “Flesh to Eat”

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”