Come

Haiku for the ready

First, John the Baptist.

Mark moves him from centre-stage,

has him arrested.

Proclaiming good news

Jesus came to Galilee:

The time is fulfilled!

The Kingdom of God

comes nearer with every word

that I speak to you.

Simon and Andrew,

fishing brothers casting nets;

Jesus calls to them.

Come and follow me,

together we will call folk

into God’s kingdom.

We’ll share divine life,

filled with love, shaped by mercy,

transfigured through hope.

Brothers James and John

mending nets on board their boat,

Jesus calls them, too.

So Simon, Andrew,

James and John, hearing the call,

leave their nets behind.

© Ken Rookes 2021

Light

Haiku of the dawn

The light is dawning!

Image of hope and promise

for those in darkness.

What might the dawn mean

for those battling bushfires,

blanketed by smoke?

What might the dawn mean

for those whose home is sinking

beneath the ocean?

What might Jesus mean

to the poor, the wretched,

the vulnerable?

What might Jesus mean

to those cursed with riches, ease,

power and comfort.

Some fisher-people,

without much to leave behind

opt to go with him.

Discarding their nets

and all other cords that bind,

to follow the light.

He came to be light,

to bring hope, to conquer fear;

love begetting life.

© Ken Rookes 2020.

They came to listen

Haiku for net leavers

They came to listen,

to hear what he had to say;

the Nazareth man.

Some said that he spoke

direct words from the Father.

They pressed in on him.

Two boats at the shore.

He employs one to teach from;

a floating platform.

The lesson concludes.

Take the boat out, he tells them,

and let down your nets.

The fish aren’t biting.

what would be the point? they say.

Yet, if you insist.

The nets are soon filled,

nearly breaking with the strain.

The other boat comes.

Simon, James and John,

fishing partners, are amazed;

can’t believe their eyes!

Boat owner Simon,

falls before him, cries: Depart!

I am not worthy!

Stick with me, he said

we’ll catch people, netting them

into God’s kingdom!

When they reached the shore

the fishermen left their nets

and followed Jesus.

© Ken Rookes 2019

Cast your nets with me

Haiku for risk takers

The time is fulfilled

and the kingdom has come near.

Opportunity!

Turn your life around,

put your trust in the good news:

find life, hope and love!

Hear, fisherpeople,

and all who toil and struggle;

your labour bears fruit!

Cast your nets with me,

gather what is true and good.

In the name of love.

The kingdom awaits,

as do all the aching hearts.

Come, travel with me.

Leave your boats and nets.

Bring a heart that is open,

a soul that is true.

Which way will we go,

and where will we sleep at night?

He gives no answer.

He looks upon them,

repeats the invitation:

Come and follow me!

© Ken Rookes 2018.

When Jesus calls

Haiku for taking a chance

With John arrested

Jesus withdraws, goes back home;

north, to Galilee.

He leaves Nazareth

and moves to Capernaum.

There he makes his home.

What the prophet said

is about to be fulfilled;

a great light has dawned.

Commencing his work,

he begins to preach. “Repent,

the kingdom comes near.”

Walking by the sea

he sees Andrew and Simon

casting out their nets.

He calls the brothers,

“Come and follow, learn from me;

we'll fish for people.”

Best offer all day!

The fishers laugh, choose the risk,

leave behind their nets.

Further down the shore

He comes across more brothers,

sons of Zebedee.

In their father's boat,

Sons of Thunder, James and John,

also get the call.

In a flash, the pair

stop, weigh their options, and leave

dad to mend the nets.

© Ken Rookes 2017

Ready to go

Jesus often walked

the western shore of Lake Galilee

in the vicinity of Capernaum;

reflecting, praying, listening.

Perhaps he enjoyed the lapping of the waves,

the cool of the water on dusty feet,

the sounds, the beauty,

and the relative stillness

of the natural world.

He would have observed industry, too;

men with boats and nets,

and women, unnamed and forgotten,

helping to sort the fish

and effect repairs.

When Jesus made his lakeside invitation

to the brothers, Andrew and Simon,

James and John, suggesting

that soon they would be fishing for people;

was he meeting them for the first time?

Mark’s story does not say so;

but it is sometimes read that way.

More likely it was the culmination

of multiple encounters, conversations,

questions, debates, laughter and speculations;

so that when Jesus was ready to go,

so were these friends.

© Ken Rookes 2015