Family

 Haiku for an errant son

A new sensation;

the crowds flock to see Jesus,

that they might be healed.

His family hears,

are disturbed by the reports:

He’s out of his mind!

The scribes say he has

a demon! But a house that’s©

divided can’t stand.

Before you enter

to plunder a strong man’s house,

first you must bind him.

When the Spirit moves

in ways you can’t understand,

don’t criticise.

Mum and the boys come

by; attempt to and sort him out,

to take him back home.

The family call

their son and brother: ‘Come out!’

But he stays inside.

‘Who is my mother,

my brothers?’ he asks the crowd?

You who do God’s will.

© Ken Rookes 2021

In the darkness

Haiku of enquiry

Nicodemus comes

to see him, in the darkness,

hiding his questions.

Own your questions, Nic!

Don’t worry what others think;

reach out for the truth.

This man called Jesus,

is he sent from the Father?

Let’s see what he says.

You must be reborn!

What mystery he utters:

how can these things be?

If you would enter

the kingdom, you must come through

water and Spirit.

From the things of earth

to the realm of the heavens,

I speak of these things.

Through the Spirit we

rise beyond the world’s limits

to the realm of God.

Ah, teacher of law,

you must understand these things;

you will find life here.

.

For love Jesus comes,

bringing God’s word of grace, hope,

and life from above.

© Ken Rookes 2021

The Advocate Comes

Haiku for Pentecost

The Advocate comes;

Spirit friend standing beside

and taking our part.

Speaking truth into

the soul, and bearing witness

to Jesus the Son.

Time for the parting.

I must go. Feel the sorrow;

I share it with you.

You are not alone.

The Spirit will take my place,

will speak to your hearts.

The Spirit brings truth,

shining light upon the world

and into your heart.

It is for the best.

Together you will declare

the truth that he brings.

I could say much more.

It is enough for now, as

much as you can bear.

The Spirit completes

what I have begun, and brings

all things together.

© Ken Rookes 2021

All mine are yours

Haiku of departure

He calls God ‘Father’

inviting his friends to share

the intimacy.

He keeps his father’s

trust; the men and the women

he took to himself.

Not one of them lost.

He embraces them in love,

giving protection.

Their home is not here

amidst earth’s dust and despair,

but with the Father.

Here, amidst earth’s dust

is the place of struggle, where

love is made concrete.

I made known your word,

they are holy through your truth.

Father, keep them safe.

Here, amidst earth’s dust

they must go on, without me;

making the love real.

The joy is complete

when love, truth, witness and word

are come together.

© Ken Rookes 2021

 

Abide

 Haiku of love

Make my joy complete

by keeping my commandments;

abide in my love.

You will know my joy

when love is allowed to rule.

Grace, forgiveness, love.

You, too, are to love

as Jesus loves each of us.

Love, costly and true.

No love is greater

than that which offers itself

for the sake of friends.

Servants no longer!

When you do what I command,

you become my friends.

I have no secrets

from you. All God has shown me

I make known to you.

Go and bear much fruit.

Enduring fruit, born of love,

as God’s own children.

© Ken Rookes 2021