meanings – Barb, poet priest

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”

God is Love

God is love (Easter 5 John 15:1-8, 1 John 4:7-21)All people who use languageare second-hand word-mongers:we mangle words or varnishby buying into meaningsto suit rival agendas.We fumble in our juggling,and truth becomes entangledwith hurts to which we’re subject,and what one hears, anotherwould never have imagined.So “God is love” gets twistedfor some who hear “Our Father”.TheyContinue reading “God is Love”

Ears to Hear

Ears to Hear Pentecost 13; Luke 14:25-35 He bids us listen if we’ve ears to hear. I spin these words to tune out random noise, and find good news amidst the static fear, but contexts change, our meanings mask his voice. He spoke of hate to crowds he knew were drawn by love of healings,Continue reading “Ears to Hear”