Growth

 

Haiku of the kingdom

Agricultural

metaphors abound: seeds, growth

and much fruitfulness.

Here is the kingdom;

seed is scattered on the ground,

grows in ways unseen.

How does the seed grow?

Who can understand? Who cares,

we’ll still harvest it!

Again, the kingdom

is like a mustard seed; small,

but great potential!

A home for the birds;

a great outcome for this seed,

small and unacclaimed.

Parables sneak up,

catching hearers by surprise;

life-giving wisdom.

Great story-telling

Jesus! Drawing us in, and

disturbing our thoughts!

© Ken Rookes 2021

Harassed and helpless

Harassed and helpless

Haiku for labourers

Are they any less

harassed and helpless, the crowds

of the lost, today?

Caught up in the lies

and the dodgy promises

of fear peddlers.

Sheep without shepherds,

with none to watch over them,

and no-one who cares.

We care about you,

they cry, those seeking profit,

those craving power.

He sent out the twelve.

They are lost, they are fearful;

Touch their lives with love.

Tell them, The kingdom

is coming near. Share good news,

bring healing and hope.

© Ken Rookes 2020

An abundant harvest

Haiku for a capitalist world

Jesus, we are told,

refused to act as a judge

between two brothers.

He told a story

to warn against greed and wealth.

Take care! he told them.

The love of money,

a later follower wrote,

gives rise to evil.

Ignoring others

when your needs are paramount

leaves no place for love.

Building bigger barns

in which to store one’s riches.

Keep them for yourself.

Wealth and more money,

cannot satisfy the rich;

there’s never enough.

How empty the hearts

of the wealthy; emptiness

that is never filled.

Best give it away,

create some empty spaces

for God to dwell in.

© Ken Rookes 2019

The harvest is great

He travelled about,

teaching in their synagogues,

proclaiming good news.

Jesus wept for them:

like sheep without a shepherd,

helpless and harrassed.

Call out to the Lord,

more labourers are needed;

the harvest awaits.

So much to be done

to bring peace, healing, wholeness,

forgiveness and hope.

The time had arrived.

He called the twelve together,

gave them the challenge.

Heal, bring life and love,

show them the kingdom is near.

Teach them about God.

Do it in my name.

Show God's generosity,

don't expect payment,

Bring in the harvest;

gather the people who love

into the kingdom.

© Ken Rookes 2017

Seeds are cast

 

Seeds are cast

to lie among earth’s dust,
tiny parcels of potential;
waiting for the clouds to gather.
Tears of anguish and compassion
to water the earth.
 
Suitably awoken,
some seeds sprout,
putting forth leaves of promise.
Buds form
and open into flowers. Behold:
beauty, colour and wonder
 
to welcome insects of pollination;
the wind too.
Fruits are set,
bringing fertile anticipation,
and swelling to the generous ripeness
of maturity.
 
Then comes the harvest
and the rejoicing.
And with all this abundance,
fulfilment, kingdom,
fruitfulness, uncertainty
and hope.
 
 
 

 

© Ken Rookes 2015.