He breathed on them

Haiku for agents of peace.

Peace was his greeting

that night, meeting with his friends,

the day he was raised.

The doors had been locked,

but somehow he was present,

standing among them.

They gasped, rejoicing.

Beyond all expectations

their master lived!

There's much to be done.

Just as the Father sent me,

so I'm sending you.

He breathed upon them.

Receive the Holy Spirit,

God with you, always.

Mercy is the key;

show them. You are to forgive;

you must set them free.

This is why I came,

to bring freedom, grace and hope.

My peace be with you.

© Ken Rookes 2017

Breath

 

The essential otherness,
named by many as God,
having been credited with the creative endeavour,
generosity and love
out of which the planet is born and renewed,
once breathed life into the nostrils
of a figure sculpted from earth’s dust;
or so the ancient story tells us.
A man called Jesus,
sometimes designated child of God
and touched wildly by the spirit,
once re-enacted that mythical event;
at least according to another,
slightly less-ancient, narrative.
Coming unexpectedly
among a group of frightened and uncertain friends,
he pursed his lips
and blew gently upon their puzzled faces
with his spirit-breath invitation:
to live generously,
to love with passion, and,
drawing upon their reserves
of courage, grace and vulnerability,
to address the planet’s plaintive plea
for justice, hope and peace.

Or to at least make a start.


© Ken Rookes 2014

The first day

The first day

 

The first day of the week;

a new week, a new lifetime.
The newly-raised Jesus
breathes upon his surprised followers
a Spirit, most Holy;
who gathers them up and blows them
irresistibly into an unexpected future.
A breeze of gentle change, sometimes,
or revolution's blast;
a quiet whisper of forgiveness,
affirming the unworthy,
a blast of indignation
challenging the powerful
and calling the unjust to repent.
These emboldened friends
will continue love's work;
borne on the wind,
gusting unconstrained.

 

© Ken Rookes