Love fulfils the law

Haiku responding to Rom 13:8-14

Be in debt to none

except to love each other;

love fulfils the law.

Respect marriage, don't

steal, murder or covet; laws

are covered by love.

Love will do no wrong

to a neighbour, therefore love

fulfils all the law.

The time has now come;

it's time that we all woke up,

salvation draws near!

The night's been dismissed,

the day's near; throw off dark works,

put on light's armour.

Walk in the light; steer

clear of drunkenness, cheap sex,

quarrels, jealousy.

Cloth yourself in Christ;

you won't need to gratify

your fleshly desires.

But let's end with love,

where we started. Get that right

and all else follows.

© Ken Rookes 2026

Love must be real

Haiku responding to Rom 12:9-21

Love must be real.

Hate the things that are evil,

hold fast to the good.

Love one another.

Compete with each other in

acting with honour.

Don't lag in zeal,

let your spirit be ardent

as you serve the Lord.

Rejoice as you hope,

be patient in affliction,

don't give up on prayer.

Support each other

financially; show strangers

hospitality.

When people oppress,

offer blessings. Yes, bless them,

and do not curse them!

When people rejoice,

rejoice with them, when they weep,

join your tears with theirs.

Live in harmony.

Try not to be arrogant;

mix with the lowly.

Don't repay evil

with evil. Act nobly, be

a good example.

If it's possible,

as it depends on you, live

peaceably with all.

Do not seek revenge;

vengeance is the Lord's concern.

Let God sort it out.

If your enemies

are hungry, feed them; if they

thirst, give them a drink.

Don't be overcome

by evil. Rather, defeat

it by doing good.

© Ken Rookes 2026

Be transformed

Haiku responding to Romans 12:1-8

Sisters and brothers,

I appeal to you, present

your whole selves to God.

Be a sacrifice

that lives toward God; this is

the way you worship.

Don't be like others,

but be transformed; let your minds

be renewed through Christ.

Discern what God wants;

those things that are good, perfect

and acceptable.

Through the grace God gave

me, I tell you, don't be proud;

see yourself truly.

Make sober judgement

of your self, in accordance

with your faith from God.

All of the members

of the body of Christ have

differing functions

By grace we have gifts

diverse: prophecy, teaching,

and encouragement.

Don't neglect your gifts.

Lead tirelessly; be cheerful

showing compassion.

© Ken Rookes 2026

Sharing the crumbs

 

Here's a fun little song for Sunday, set to a well known folk tune, at least here in Australia. A bit irregular, but the driving 3/4 rhythm makes it quite singable, I think. I think it shouild work across the generations

Sharing the crumbs.

A woman came and sought out Jesus, shouting,

Heal my child, a spirit troubles her today.

His disciples, they found her quite annoying,

Hey, Jesus, can you send her on her way!

The woman kept calling out to Jesus,

It's my daughter, Lord, I beg, make her well!

Jesus said, I'm not sent to help foreigners.

I really am sorry: so long, farewell!

She persisted, came up and knelt before him.

O Lord, please don't dismiss me in this way.

He said, Good food meant for the children,

won't be thrown to the dogs. Now go away!

She responded, Yes, OK, that's fair enough.

But the children are messy, and perhaps

the crumbs from the table can be gobbled up

by the dogs; don't begrudge them the scraps!

Jesus nodded, Top answer, that was the best!

I can see now, you've shown me; great your faith!

Let it be for you as you have made request;

your daughter has been healed, now shout hooray!

Hooray for the woman who pressed her case!

Hooray now, for Jesus, who changed his mind!

Hooray now, for people who've been touched by grace!

Hooray that none need be left behind!

© Ken Rookes 2026

Tune: Botany Bay. (irregular)

Mercy for all

Haiku responding to Rom 11:1-2a, 29-32

Gentiles included

now in God's new covenant;

Hebrews missing out!

Has God rejected

his people? Not at all! I,

Paul am one of them!

I'm an Israelite,

descendant of Abraham,

of Benjamin's tribe!

God does not reject

the people he has long known,

nor withdraw his gifts.

Disobedience

once cut you off from God; now

you've received mercy.

You received mercy

when God's people turned away;

mercy, too, is theirs.

Disobedience

has all people in its thrall;

so too, God's mercy.

© Ken Rookes 2026

No distinction

Haiku responding to Rom 10:5-15

Moses gave us law,

writes Paul, but it is faith that

brings us righteousness.

Forget heaven and

the abyss; the word of Christ

is close to you, here.

Confess with your mouth,

believe in your heart: Jesus

is our risen Lord!

Believe and confess

Jesus as Lord; righteousness,

salvation are yours.

There's no distinction;

Jew, Greek, God is lord of both,

saving ev'ryone.

Ev'ryone who calls

on the Lord's name will be saved.

But how will they hear?

How are they to hear

without someone who will come

to proclaim good news.

How will they proclaim

unless they're sent. Beautiful;

those who share good news!

© Ken Rookes 2026