My Father's House

Angry haiku

It’s early in John,

the confrontation is there

from the beginning.

The powerful ones

who rule religion, are scared

of his freedom words.

In Jerusalem

the temple stands for order;

ancient traditions.

Through the temple’s gates

he strides, his angry vision

impels him to act.

Upsets ev’rything;

sheep, cattle, money changers.

This is not God’s house!

Show a sign, they say,

that proves your right to do this.

Will my body do?

Not yet a sign, but

one will be given: Three days,

then resurrection!

Come again, Jesus;

drive them out, those who pervert

your words with their lies.

They are many still

who choose power, not the cross;

or the costs of love.

© Ken Rookes 2021

Behaving recklessly

Haiku for the angry

In Jerusalem

people gather for the feast;

things are heating up.

The Passover nears

time to remember; recall

God’s saving actions.

As is his practice,

Jesus behaves recklessly,

upsets good order.

Goes to the temple,

where he observes the commerce

and money changing.

The man gets angry,

makes a whip from cords of rope,

drives the traders out.

Escaping doves soar,

as tables are overturned.

Coins spill to the floor.

Take them out of here;

these instruments of Mammon

do not lead to life.

Temple is a place

for drawing near, listening,

and worshipping God.

They ask him, What right

do you have to come in here

and to do these things?

Destroy this temple

and I’ll raise it in three days.

Another riddle.

© Ken Rookes 2018.

Driving out

The bad religion dealers

are gathering their stock,

investing in security

and trusting key and lock.

The bad religion traders

conspire in desperation

they’re making plans to overcome,

correct the situation.

They know the Teacher’s coming

they’ve felt the voice and whip.

Their pleasant life is overturned;

he’s shooting from the hip.

The scattered coins lie gleaming

strewn rudely on the floor;

while safe assumption’s ripped away,

sweet comfort’s out the door.

Table legs point to the sky

the sheep, they are departing;

ignoring indignation’s cries,

the Teacher is just starting.

The bad religion brokers

are exiting the temple;

they’ve seen the walls, the fractured stones,

they disregard the people.

The Teacher sees the kingdom,

there’s love behind his rage;

he shouts life’s possibilities;

the dove has left its cage.

The bad religion vendors

dealing life diminished,

sad and anxious, cheerless, mean; their

fearful trade is finished

The walnut, it is cracked now,

the old religion’s broken;

barriers are thrown aside, the

roads to life are open.

© Ken Rookes 2012