Going fishing

Going fishing

Piscatorial Haiku

Seven disciples

decided to go fishing:

found themselves a boat.

They went out at night

hoping that the fish would come

but they caught nothing.

Standing on the shore

the stranger shouted advice:

Try the other side!

The nets are breaking;

It must be the Lord! they shout.

Peter heads ashore.

A lakeside fire,

a breakfast of bread and fish

with their risen Lord.

Jesus asks Peter:

Simon, do you love me more?

Lord, you know I do.

Simon, feed my lambs.

Twice more Jesus questions him:

How do you love me?

Eventually

even Simon must get it;

love made real by deeds.

He said, Feed my sheep,

take care of my little lambs.

It’s all about love.

© Ken Rookes 2019

Not unless I see

Haiku of growing hope.

Sunday evening.

The disciples locked the doors,

fearing they were next.

The women’s stories

which might have brought them some hope

went disregarded.

Jesus came and stood

before them: Peace be with you!

His friends were perplexed.

He shows them his hands

to help put their minds at ease.

Yeah, right; that’ll work!

There is rejoicing

along with bewilderment.

The stories were true‽

He sends his friends out,

breathing his Spirit, charging

them to forgive sin.

The absent Thomas,

could not believe that he lives.

Not unless I see!

Seven days later,

so John tells us, Jesus came,

to meet them once more.

Here I am, Thomas!

See the nail-marks in my hands,

touch my wounded side.

Falling to his knees

Thomas cries: My Lord, my God!

Finally convinced.

You see and believe?

Blessed are those who believe

who don’t get to see!

Jesus did much more.

Were the stories written down

they would fill volumes.

© Ken Rookes 2019

Notre-Dame de Paris

Notre-Dame de Paris.

Grand reliquary;

centuries of prayers and tears

escape with the smoke.

© Ken Rookes 2019

Sunday. The first Day

Sunday. The first day.

Haiku for upending

Sunday. The first day.

The sun returns from beyond;

light chases darkness.

They come to the tomb,

the women, aching, faithful,

to honour their friend.

Bringing their spices

they come to prepare his corpse;

their duty of love.

The stone had been moved.

The open entrance calls them;

Come, see my surprise!

The tomb is empty,

His broken body is gone,

spirited away.

Two men, shining bright

in robes that dazzle the eyes,

come and address them.

Why look in a tomb?

The one you seek is alive!

Remember his words.

The women returned,

(there were at least five of them),

but they weren’t believed.

Peter, however,

wanted to see for himself,

and ran to the tomb.

Only the grave-clothes

were there to be seen. Peter

returned home, amazed.

A tomb that’s empty,

a man no longer present:

should we doubt or hope?

How shall we respond

to this story of wonder,

and to he who lives?

© Ken Rookes 2019

Into your hands

Haiku of the end.

They arrest Jesus

decide upon the verdict,

begin the trial.

Taken to Pilate,

He is accused of treason;

by his own people.

A Galilean,

you say! He’s not my problem;

take him to Herod!

Jesus the healer!

says Herod, all excited.

Show for me a sign!

He keeps them guessing,

refusing to play their game,

keeping his mouth shut.

Pilate resists them,

He has done no wrong. Flog him,

then we’ll let him go.

The crowd shout him down.

Pilate, lacking conviction,

lets Barabbas go.

Beaten and broken

Jesus staggers ‘neath his cross.

The Cyrene bears it.

The inscription reads

This is the king of the Jews.

A king for us all.

They are mocking him:

If you are king, save yourself!

The soldiers join in.

Two others also,

criminals, guilty as charged,

are hanged there with him.

The one also mocks.

The other entreats: Jesus,

do not forget me.

At three he cries out,

Father. I am in your hands!

and draws his last breath.

The crowd return home,

beating their breasts, questioning,

What is it we’ve done?

© Ken Rookes 2019

Riding a donkey

Haiku for an uncertain entrance.

Riding a donkey

defiantly confronting;

they do not like it.

Cry out with the throng,

make with your loud hosannas.

Return in five days.

Here he comes! Jesus

with his words of costly love;

we do not want them.

Beware, you who rule,

serving powerful interests:

Jesus is coming!

© Ken Rookes 2019

Bethany friends

Haiku of love

His Bethany friends

make him most welcome; again.

Jesus is grateful.

Brother Lazarus

reclined at table with him

Martha is serving.

Mary! Ah, Mary.

What are you about to do

to demonstrate love?

Mary comes, bringing

a pound of costly perfume;

pours it on his feet.

The fragrance lingers,

along with indignation:

What outrageous waste!

Such extravagance

and squander! T’was better sold

and spent on the poor.

Returning her love,

Jesus speaks to defend her;

She has done no wrong!

This beautiful gift,

images her love for me;

soon I will be gone.

The poor will remain

to provide new occasions

to demonstrate love.

Gather what remains,

save it for my burial;

it comes soon enough.

© Ken Rookes 2019