Signs

Haiku for the hungry

They came seeking signs.

Were not his words sufficient?

Apparently not.

The crowd was hungry

for his words, for the healing

the signs and the hope.

There’s a food shortage;

the hunger is great, it gnaws.

Jesus must feed them.

A boy brings his lunch.

Five barley loaves and two fish.

That will not go far!

Here is mystery!

Somehow all are satisfied;

their hungers addressed.

An impressive sign!

This indeed is a prophet,

the one God has sent.

That is not a sign;

this is a sign! Jesus strides

across the lake

You want a sign? Here,

try this, he says, winking, as

he crosses the lake

Don’t be afraid, it

is I! Jesus says; his words

bringing on God’s peace.

© Ken Rookes 2021

Escaping the crowds

 Haiku for a retreat

They have been busy;

the twelve he sent out to share

his life-giving news.

To the wilderness

they retreat, an empty place

where they can rest up.

The lake is their friend!

They sail in their little boat

away from the throng.

He has become known.

Recognition blocks the plan;

the crowds come seeking.

They are shepherd-less,

these sheep. He steps up to teach,

sharing the kingdom.

His fame goes ahead.

In Gennesaret the crowds

see him and gather.

They hope to be healed.

We all do. Come, Lord Jesus;

we, too, are broken.

© Ken Rookes 2021

It is I, don't fear

It is I, don’t fear

Haiku of uncertain faith

He had healed them,

blessed and fed, instructed them,

then he sent them home.

He stayed by himself

while his friends left in the boat

for the other side.

Finding a high place,

letting go; resting body,

communing with God.

In the boat, his friends,

battered by the wind and waves

were getting anxious.

The story tells us

he came walking through the waves.

It is I, don’t fear!

Command me to come,

if it really is yourself;

the fisherman spoke.

The word was spoken.

Bold Peter walked on water;

then fear reclaimed him.

By ourselves we sink.

Save us, Lord! we cry in fear.

His hand reaches out.

Is it his command

of storms, that prove his Sonship;

or is it his love?

© Ken Rookes 2020

Going fishing

Going fishing

Piscatorial Haiku

Seven disciples

decided to go fishing:

found themselves a boat.

They went out at night

hoping that the fish would come

but they caught nothing.

Standing on the shore

the stranger shouted advice:

Try the other side!

The nets are breaking;

It must be the Lord! they shout.

Peter heads ashore.

A lakeside fire,

a breakfast of bread and fish

with their risen Lord.

Jesus asks Peter:

Simon, do you love me more?

Lord, you know I do.

Simon, feed my lambs.

Twice more Jesus questions him:

How do you love me?

Eventually

even Simon must get it;

love made real by deeds.

He said, Feed my sheep,

take care of my little lambs.

It’s all about love.

© Ken Rookes 2019

The crowd, hungry for his word.

Haiku of unexpected abundance

The crowd came to him;

saw the signs he was doing,

the sick getting healed.

Up on the mountain

the crowd, hungry for his word;

Jesus will feed them.

Where will we buy bread?

Six month’s wages, said Phillip,

Wouldn’t buy enough.

Five loaves and two fish

that was all they could muster:

a boy and his lunch.

They sat on the grass.

He took the loaves and thanked God,

passed the bread around.

As the story goes

they all had enough to eat,

gathered up the scraps.

Understandably

the people got excited:

He is the prophet!

He made himself scarce,

went further up the mountain

to be by himself.

When evening came

his disciples took the boat,

went out on the lake.

The lake became rough

and the wind blew against them;

they were terrified.

And then Jesus came

with words of reassurance,

Do not be afraid.

© Ken Rookes 2018

Spreading scripture through mobile phones

This video in Djambarrpuyŋu language of North East Arnhem Land is the story, from Luke 8:22-25, of Jesus calming the storm.  The video is readily transferable from mobile phone to mobile phone.  This is one way of making scriptures available to people who are already sharing videos and recordings with each other in this way.

The video was made in Galiwin’ku as part of a project of Coordinating Support for Indigenous Scriptures (CSIS) http://www.csis.org.au an initiative of the Northern Regional Council of Congress (NRCC) and the Northern Synod of the Uniting Church