An abundant harvest

Haiku for a capitalist world

Jesus, we are told,

refused to act as a judge

between two brothers.

He told a story

to warn against greed and wealth.

Take care! he told them.

The love of money,

a later follower wrote,

gives rise to evil.

Ignoring others

when your needs are paramount

leaves no place for love.

Building bigger barns

in which to store one’s riches.

Keep them for yourself.

Wealth and more money,

cannot satisfy the rich;

there’s never enough.

How empty the hearts

of the wealthy; emptiness

that is never filled.

Best give it away,

create some empty spaces

for God to dwell in.

© Ken Rookes 2019

A lesson in prayer

Haiku of generosity

Lord, teach us to pray.

A request from disciples

eager to know more.

He tells a story

of a nocturnal knocking,

requesting three loaves.

Don’t ask me for bread;

that is far too much trouble!

(This could not happen!)

The story’s hearers

would have laughed in disbelief.

Quite impossible!

Hospitality’s

demands for generousness

are laid before us.

This lesson in prayer

offers one decisive point:

God is generous

When we come in prayer

to God we can be assured:

God is here for us.

© Ken Rookes 2019

Hospitality

Haiku of grace

Martha and Mary:

the sisters receive Jesus

and make him welcome.

Hospitality.

Someone has to cook the food,

Marha is busy.

On the other hand,

Mary is quite indolent,

list’ning to Jesus.

A gen’rous spirit

is key to any welcome,

but Martha complains.

Lord, do you not care?

she protests, asking Jesus

to judge between them.

It’s all right, he says.

Mary hears my words of grace;

you should listen, too.

Jesus’ correction

is not without affection.

One thing is needed.

It’s about choices,

every day we make them;

choose grace ev’ry time.

© Ken Rookes 2019

The lawyer's question

Haiku for heroes

The lawyer’s question;

a test of orthodoxy,

unconcerned for truth.

What does the law say?

Love God and love your neighbour.

Now that’s a big ask!

The lawyer wants rules

to define loving’s limits.

Which ones must I love?

A Samaritan,

much despised, is made hero

in Jesus’ story.

Maligned foreigners,

and other ratbags, become

heroes through their love.

The Samaritan

is Muslim, refugee, and

other suspect folk

Unlikely heroes

confront our own shortcomings.

Best discard this tale.

The lawyer concedes

Yes, love is the way to life,

true and eternal.

Here alone is life!

Like Jesus told the Lawyer:

Go and do the same!

© Ken Rookes 2019

Sent ahead

Haiku for mission

Seventy, there were,

in pairs, sent ahead of him

with a word of peace.

Jesus said to them,

The harvest is plentiful,

we must bring it in.

Be a labourer.

Tell of the kingdom’s good news;

touch them with new life.

You will be like lambs;

vulnerable. It’s all right;

that’s the way it is.

Those who follow me

must deal with hostility.

It is always so.

Travel light; no bag,

no purse. Don’t be distracted

from the work of peace.

Some will welcome you.

Stay with them, be satisfied.

Bring healing, breathe hope.

It is coming near,

God’s kingdom; we’re bringing it.

This is a great work.

Rejoining Jesus

they spoke with joy and wonder

of what they had seen.

© Ken Rookes 2019