The River of Life.: May 2020

Sunday, May 31, 2020

Job

Haiku for testing

Wealth and possessions

have long been seen as proof of

a virtuous life.

Surely God blesses

the ones who are deserving!

Yes, but not always.

The poor are not blessed;

their poverty proof enough

of their shortcomings.

The story of Job,

written to challenge. The good

don’t always prosper.

Blameless and upright,

bulk money, stacks of children;

Job had a good life.

God boasts about Job.

Satan calls his bluff. Test him;

let’s see what he does!

In but a moment

it is gone. Taken away,

the blessings withdrawn.

Tears his robe. The lord

gives, and the Lord takes away.

Still Job blesses God.

Posted in response to the Narrative Lectionary for Trinity Sunday 2020

Monday, May 25, 2020

Rivers

Haiku of the Spirit

Thirsty, dry and parched,

worn out and desiccated,

eager for a drink

At the festival,

interrupting proceedings,

he stood: Come to me!”

If you are thirsty,

come! Life renewing water

will flow deep within!

From the seeker’s heart

shall flow rivers of water,

living, Spirit-filled.

Rivers of water,

gushing strong, splashing with life

and with the Spirit.

The Spirit will come;

open your eyes, you will see

what God is doing.

* * * * *

Can’t be a prophet,

they say he’s from Galilee.

Not prophet country!

Sunday, May 24, 2020

One Body

Haiku for members

Hey there, look at me

I am so clever, gifted;

I have the Spirit!

So, even Christians

get caught up, forgetting love.

It’s all about me!

Seduced by power,

craving honour and glory;

forgetting their Lord.

My gift is better

than your gift is. Look at me!

God thinks I’m clever.

It’s time you grew up.

Boasting is way out of line

for people of God

Your gifts were given

that you might work together;

do great things for God.

Big gifts, lesser gifts,

each one has their part to play;

you need each other.

In the one Spirit

baptised into one body;

Jews, Greeks, slaves and free.

Monday, May 18, 2020

Protect, keep them safe.

Haiku for persevering.

This eternal life

is given to all of you;

you who are my friends.

Life that’s full and true;

forget the hereafter, this

is eternal life.

The hour has come near,

we’re coming to the climax;

glorify your Son.

The work is finished,

well, almost. Shadows lengthen,

the darkness threatens.

You gave them to me,

I made your name known to them,

they have kept your word.

What are mine are yours;

when I am with them no more

hold them in your hand.

They remain earth-bound;

here they must live out their faith

with courage and love.

Protect them, Father;

let them be as one, just as

you and I are one.

Sunday, May 17, 2020

Where is your sting?

Haiku of hope

Paul, persecutor

of the church, born out of time,

met the risen Christ.

I proclaimed to you

the good news about Jesus

and you received it.

I passed on to you

what I received; that Christ died,

was buried, and rose.

Christ appeared to them;

Peter, the twelve and many.

Finally to me.

He lives, don’t doubt it

and we all shall live, sharing

resurrection life.

Death, where is your sting?

Jesus looked you in the eye:

you’ve been defeated!

Monday, May 11, 2020

But you will see me

Haiku of abiding

Prove that you love me,

you who are my disciples;

keep my commandments.

What was that command

that he gave to all his friends?

Something about love.

I’ll ask the Father.

He will send the Advocate;

with you for ever.

The Spirit of truth;

you know him, he is with you.

He will be in you.

Soon I will be gone,

the world will cease to see me,

but you will see me.

You, friends, will see me.

Life and love are found in me;

you also will live.

I in my Father,

you in me and I in you;

much shared indwelling.

Prove that you love me

by keeping my commandments.

Love will unite us.

Sunday, May 10, 2020

The greatest is love

Essential haiku

Hard to imagine

a world where love is vanquished

and fear goes unchecked.

If I have not love

then I am nothing, worthless

just a fading sound

I may understand

mysteries; if I lack love

I’m less than a breath.

Patient, kind, trusting

the good intent of others;

love is this, and more.

Love delights in truth,

bears all, hopes, does not insist;

and never gives up.

Prophecies will cease,

tongues and knowledge, too, will end.

Love goes on and on.

So much is partial;

when all things are made complete

so, too, will knowledge.

Behave like adults,

put an end to childish ways;

be guided by love.

There remain three things

without compare: faith, hope, love.

The greatest is love.

Posted in response to the Narrative Lectionary, 1 Corinthians 13, for the sixth Sunday in Easter.

Monday, May 4, 2020

In my Father's house

Haiku of the Way

In my Father’s house

there are rooms for all of you;

put your trust in me.

I go on ahead

to prepare a place for you.

You will be with me.

Lord we do not know

where it is you’re going to;

What will be the way?

Friends, I am the way;

truth and life are found in me.

Come, meet my Father.

Show us the Father!

I’ve been with you all this time,

and you still don’t know?

Whoever sees me

sees the Father. My words and

works are from him.

Those who trust in me

will continue what I do,

even greater things!

Sunday, May 3, 2020

Paul the tent-maker

Haiku for a troubled church

Paul the tent-maker,

plying his trade in Corinth,

preaching on weekends.

Working alongside

Aquila and Priscilla,

stitching together.

Love is wearing thin,

the fabric of the church comes

apart at the seams

He writes a letter

to the fractious fellowship

taking them to task.

Asks, Where is the love?

Why is your church divided?

End your quarrelling!

Put factions aside;

one’s not better than others.

You are one in Christ!

The cross is emptied,

the gospel loses power,

when you’re divided.

Posted in response to the bible readings for the Narrative Lectionary, fifth Sunday in Easter.