From now on

Haiku for letting go.

Luke’s gospel story

has Simon owning a boat;

moved up in the world.

The fishing was poor

that day. Jesus made the boat

into a lectern.

Luke builds amazement.

Jesus directs the fishers,

tells them how to fish.

The nets are bursting

with the weight of the caught fish;

call the second boat.

Simon Peter falls

at Jesus’ feet. Leave me, Lord,

I am a sinner!

Jesus laughs, Fear not!

Come with me, and catch people

into God’s kingdom!

Four of them follow,

leaving it all to join him;

to be disciples.

© Ken Rookes 2022

Now I see

Haiku for the enlightened

The blind beggar sees

enough light to realise

that Jesus can help.

Just a glimmer, but

The smallest fragment of hope

leads him to shout out.

Blind Bartimaeus

has heard the rumours; he cries,

Jesus, have mercy!

The crowd insists: Hush

Don’t trouble the teacher! But

Jesus has heard him.

Jesus stops. Call him!

Take heart! they tell the blind man,

he is calling you.

The teacher asks, What

should I do for you? Let me

see again, Jesus!

Your faith makes you well.

Sight restored, Bartimaeus

follows on the way

Open our eyes, Lord.

We, who grope in the darkness,

would see, and follow.

© Ken Rookes 2021

The changing of the guard

Haiku

John was a prophet

who had his own disciples,

loyal, devoted.

Tradition tells us

that when Jesus took the stage

John moved to one side.

I am just a voice,

John said, One sent to prepare

the way for the Lord.

Dove-like, God’s Spirit

rests on him. He will immerse

you in his Spirit.

That one there, John said,

pointing to Jesus. That’s him,

The Lamb sent from God!

Two disciples heard,

took leave from the Baptiser,

and followed Jesus.

Jesus turned, asked them,

What is it you’re looking for?

Great question, Jesus!

What are you seeking?

What will fill your emptiness,

what will give you life?

Who do you follow?

Where do your commitments lie,

who will be your Lord?

© Ken Rookes 2020

With time running out

Haiku for decisions

With time running out

Jesus knew that he must go

to Jerusalem.

The company came

to a Samaritan town,

but they were rebuffed.

Why Jerusalem?

If you’re only passing through

don’t bother to stay.

We should punish them;

call down fire! said James and John.

Jesus rebuked them.

I will follow you,

a man said. Foxes have holes,

but I am homeless.

I will follow you,

a man said, but I must wait

for father to die.

The dead must bury

their own. Leave them, you must go

proclaim God’s kingdom.

I will follow you,

but first I must say farewell

to my family.

To plough a straight line

you cannot keep looking back;

likewise the kingdom.

© Ken Rookes 2019

Tell us plainly

Haiku of the sheep

Who are you? they ask.

Tell us plainly, are you he

who God is sending?

You’re not serious,

he answered them. I’ve told you,

but you won’t believe.

You aren’t intrested

in what I have to tell you,

so stop pretending.

My sheep hear my voice,

they listen to my teachings

and they follow me.

I give them my life

and so we walk together

towards God’s kingdom.

They need have no fear;

I hold these sheep in my hand.

God gave them to me.

We act together,

the Father and I; working

to bring life and hope.

© Ken Rookes 2019

Taking it up

Haiku to make one hesitate

You who would follow,

look to Jesus, your teacher.

Try to be like him.

You might not win friends.

Jesus made enemies, too;

you won't be alone.

There are no secrets.

Stand boldly, proclaim God's truth;

do not be afraid.

Hold firm, speak my name,

be known as my disciples;

I will keep you safe.

It won't be easy;

don't expect a life of peace.

Jesus brought a sword.

Son against father,

daughter against her mother;

families divide.

This cross is painful.

No bright trinket on a chain;

wear it if you dare.

Worthy followers

understand the challenges,

know the costs of love.

My friends, be prepared;

if you want to find your life

you must let it go.

© Ken Rookes 2017

He comes through the gate

Haiku of selfless leadership

He comes through the gate,

the shepherd; so we trust him

to protect the sheep.

Up front, transparent,

one who goes ahead of us;

we will follow him.

Some leaders pretend:

Follow me, I'll care for you!

In it for themselves.

Thieves, crooks and bandits,

these come to steal and destroy.

Jesus is no thief.

The good shepherd comes

to give his all for the flock.

The sheep know his voice

Jesus is the gate.

Through this man we enter life,

abundant and true.

© Ken Rookes 2017

Costing Discipleship

Haiku for intending acolytes.

Large crowds of people

travelled with the carpenter;

learning to follow.

Some went with Jesus

for curiosity's sake,

were yet to commit.

Jesus showed the way,

putting his life on the line

for love and justice.

Carrying the cross.

Try to guess what that might mean.

Will I qualify?

It's a costly thing,

the discipleship journey;

look where you're going.

Building a tower

or going into battle:

know what you're up for.

What will be the cost,

will you have enough to win?

Finish what you start.

Jesus calls us all.

Love's costly work is waiting;

Come with me, he says.

© Ken Rookes 2016

The beggar of Jericho

In Jericho's streets

a loud, annoying man, blind and embarrassing,

glimpses hope for the first time

and shouts excitedly above the noise of the crowd.

The reason for his agitated cries:

one Jesus of Nazareth, aka, Son of David;

who is implored to be merciful

and to use his influence with the Divinity

to heal the man's vision-less eyes.

He ignores all attempts to silence him

and calls even louder.

The itinerant teacher takes notice,

and invites him to come.

The man has faith, he declares,

and credits this worthy attribute

with the impending recovery of his sight.

He now sees things clearly, for the first time;

not just the physical world

of sunlight, shadows, refractions,

wavelengths and lumens.

His Jerichoean darkness cast aside

as was his cloak minutes earlier,

he chooses to journey on an uncertain route,

but one saturated with light and purpose.

Embracing the travelling man as master, friend and guide,

he follows him glowingly down the road.

© Ken Rookes 2015

What are you looking for?

The same;

what everybody wants.

A sense that there might be purpose,

perhaps even a God;
who can say?

A belonging to somewhere,

or something.
Someone,
some many.

An answer to the wonder;

and the beauty.

A settling with mystery;

sitting alongside,
accepting its peace.

Hope, in the face of uncertainty;

courage, in the face of fear.
Grace.

A way to make the possible real;

to bring the justice home.

Someone to walk beside

on the track;
a partner in the seeking.

The same;

what everybody wants.

© Ken Rookes 2014

The first chapter of John’s gospel tells of Jesus’ call to follow him. First he calls two unnamed disciples of John the Baptist, (one of whom we later learn is Andrew, who tells his brother, Simon.) Jesus engages them with the question: “What are you looking for?”

In the reading for next Sunday, Jesus calls Phillip, who, in turn, tells his brother, Nathanael.

The question, “What are you looking for?” is a question asked of all who come to Jesus.

Let me see again

Let me see again

the blue sky gleaming gold day

when I saw the wonder of your grace.

Let me hear again

the words of love and hope

which make my spirit leap and shout.

Let me sing again

the song that soars beyond

the mean confinement of my thoughts.

Let me feel again

the cool wind of your Spirit,

causing me to shiver and stumble.

Let me dance again

the steps which ever surprise

as they rise towards the mystery.

Let me taste again

the cup of your discipleship

and weigh its bitter-sweet draught.

Let me reach again

to be embraced by love

and to share it with your friends.

Let me see again,

like at the first,

and let me follow with brother Bartimaeus

on the way.

© Ken Rookes

Come with me

The road will not be easy,

said the man. Come with me anyway.

It is the road to life.

The rain beats down

outside my window;

the sky is dark, ominous.

Forecasting the strife and enmity

that follow those who tread truthful paths,

the human one speaks with quiet resolve.

Come with me, says the man to his friends;

embrace the sacrifice, along with its pain,

for the sake of love’s revolution.

There will be troubles;

burdens to be borne purposefully

with hope and occasional joy.

They are cross-shaped;

the meaning of their awkward symmetry

will one day be plain.

For now you must determine

to loosen your grip on your chosen life;

that to which you cling, you shall lose.

The human one addresses his friends again:

Come with me, into the dark, driving rain;

and defy the fear.

© Ken Rookes 2012

Large, and without a handle

Discipleship is a many-hued flower

that promises fruitfulness in season.

The blues of silent empathy

in their many dark shades;

the yellows of joy, surprising and soaring;

the gracious whites of hopefulness, a dapple

of light in the midst of shadows.

There, amongst the weeds,

the warm orange of patient service

that causes all to smile,

and the green of persistent life, once wakened,

that refuses to give in.

Then there are the purples, mauves

and heliotropes of defiance and struggle

sitting beside the soft greys of uncertainty.

What of the reds? Ah, the crimson achings

and scarlet bleedings of compassion

proclaim the truth and the love

of honest discipleship.

It has a shape, too; an intersection

heavy and uncomfortable,

ridiculous and unfashionable.

Large, and without a handle,

we shall find a way to take it up

and humbly wear its colours.