Dining

Haiku for the hungry

Seeking solitude,

he found a deserted place,

but the crowd followed.

Sometimes it’s too much,

we all need time for ourselves;

space to think and pray.

Seeing the people,

he was stirred with compassion,

reaching out to heal.

As the sun went down

his friends spoke: Send them away,

they need to buy food.

They need not depart,

I have fed their souls, we’ll find

food for bodies, too.

They brought it to him,

the five loaves and the two fish;

all the food they had.

That should do, he said.

as he blessed and broke the loaves.

They shared them around.

So many people,

so many ways to hunger;

Jesus feeds them all.

© Ken Rookes 2020

It will be like this

Haiku of the Kingdom

Lots of parables;

what will the kingdom be like?

It will be like this!

The mustard seed, small,

sown in a field, growing large;

a home for the birds.

Yeast, mixed with flour,

three measures, causing the bread

to rise and become.

A hidden treasure,

uncovered; sell ev’rything

and purchase the field!

A merchant, searching

for pearls, finds the perfect one;

sells ev’rything else.

The net that catches

all kinds of fish; sort them out,

discard the useless.

Do you understand?

You are like a scribe finding

new and old treasures.

© Ken Rookes 2020

This Gospel Treasure

Haiku for earthen vessels

God’s grace brings us here;

though all should come against us

we will not lose heart.

Embarrassing things,

things that are best kept secret;

we put them aside.

Children of the truth,

rejoicing in the gospel

shining with its light.

Some refuse to see.

For them the light is fearful,

there is no knowledge.

This gospel treasure;

we hold it in the clay pots

of our earthly lives.

What treasure we hold,

what honour God has bestowed!

How shall we use it?

We are afflicted

but not crushed or despairing,

we bear Jesus’ life.

So death is at work

in us. But life, full and free

is at work in you.

Our outer being

falls away, our inner life

is renewed each day.

What can be seen, fades,

gives way to the eternal;

look upon these things.

© Ken Rookes 2020

Posted in response to the Narrative Lectionary for the 26th July 2020

When the harvest comes

Haiku for judging

The kingdom of God,

what is it like? A story

agricultural.

An enemy comes

by night, sows weeds with the wheat,

and then goes away

Good mixed with the bad,

how quick we are to rush in;

how quickly we judge.

Growing together,

weeds and wheat: strange companions,

until the harvest.

Take time, seek the fruits;

these alone will determine

what is good and bad.

Jesus sows the seeds,

the children of the kingdom

produce righteous fruit.

Judgement is waiting

for the children of darkness

at the age’s end.

The righteous will shine

like the sun in God’s kingdom.

Do not wait to shine.

© Ken Rookes 2020

I kept my distance

Haiku of forgiving

I kept my distance.

It was too painful to come

knowing I offend.

My letter was sharp

that things might be sorted out

and the pain subside.

I wished to rejoice,

I had confidence in you.

We should have shared joy

He who caused me pain

brought heartache to all of you.

It has been dealt with.

Forgive and embrace,

let him be restored to you;

reaffirm your love.

You have passed the test,

obedience has led you

to this place of grace.

When we forgive, we

declare that Christ is present.

Grace and love abound!

© Ken Rookes 2020 

Posted in response to the Narrative Lectionary for the 7th Sunday after Pentecost.

From the beginnjing

From the beginning

From the beginning as continents drifted

God’s Spirit hovered over this land;

sculpting, renewing; rock, tree and lizard,

rainforest richness, waves crashing on sand.

Having sung country into existence,

the Spirit calls out: First Peoples, come!

This is your land now, tend and enjoy it,

step with its rhythms, dance to its thrum.

We thank you, Lord, for this ancient wisdom,

feeling the heartbeat, singing its songs;

harvesting grasses, trapping the fishes,

lighting the fires to keep country strong.

We thank you, Lord, for this ancient culture,

generously shared with recently come.

Help us remember, and to acknowledge

centuries of pain and dispossession.

We thank you, Lord, for being there, present

with those who struggle, from country removed;

living in two worlds, seeking a future,

may they find hope and know that they’re loved.

Lord we rejoice in the wonder of songlines;

Spirit connections throughout our wide land.

Welcome love’s offer to journey together,

healing the nation to meet love’s command.

© Ken Rookes. Revised 2024

Freely available for use in worship.

Tune: Bunessan. TiS 156

It is NAIDOC Week (Yes, I know it has been largely postponed until November because of the virus) I couldn't find a hymn that reflected upon our First Peoples, so I had a go at writing one.

I confess that I have made some adjustments since first posting this.

The Sower

Haiku of potential

The seed is scattered

on the ploughed earth by the man,

hoping and praying.

It’s all about soil

and where the seed comes to rest;

where it sends down roots.

Some fall on the path;

the birds know that they’re in luck,

swiftly make their claim.

On the rocky soil

shoots come soon, then fall away;

lack sufficient roots.

The weeds claim their share,

choking tender shoots of green;

lacking commitment.

Seemingly against

the odds, some seed comes to rest

in good soil. Hooray!

Like in the kingdom

the gospel seeds find a place

where love can grow strong.

Take the seed deeply

in your heart, listen to it,

bear abundant fruit.

© Ken Rookes 2020

Grace to you, and peace

Haiku of thanksgiving

Grace to you, and peace,

from God, our divine Parent,

and from Jesus Christ.

The apostle writes

out of love, to share the pain

We are one in Christ.

May God who consoles

when we have been afflicted,

also console you.

We suffer with Christ

that you might know salvation;

you suffer with us.

We have hope for you.

As you share our suffering,

be consoled with us.

We were crushed, complete,

we thought we would surely die;

God came to our aid.

He rescued us once;

we hope he does so again.

Help us by your prayers.

We are being blessed

through your prayers, and others' too;

many will give thanks.

© Ken Rookes 2020

Posted for the Narrative Lectionary, 6th Sunday after Pentecost