Outrageous

Haiku of revolutionary blessings

They are outrageous,

these beatitude sayings;

will you believe them?

What is he thinking?

How do such wild thoughts arise?

Impossible hopes!

Things turn upside down:

the poor, the mournful, the meek,

they will know blessing.

The merciful ones;

to them will mercy be shown.

Let us show mercy.

The ones who build peace,

are the ones God loves the most:

they are God’s children.

Those whose hearts are pure,

open, giving, believing;

God’s face shines on them.

When they revile you

as a disciple, Rejoice!

Your reward is great.

© Ken Rookes 2020

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.

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

It's a beginning

Haiku for getting wet

In Jordan’s waters

John calls folk to turn to God

and baptises them.

Leave your sin behind,

God’s kingdom is near at hand,

embrace God’s new way.

Leaving Galilee

and his quiet village life,

Jesus comes to John.

Jordan’s waters call;

Jesus comes to be baptised.

John is hesitant.

It’s a beginning,

says Jesus. Let’s do it right:

for now, baptise me.

Signs come from above,

as water pours from his brow.

A dove and a voice.

A retrospective

voice of divine approval,

from gospel writers.

In his baptism,

as in ours, the call to serve

and to live full true.

© Ken Rookes 2020

He was in the world

Haiku of the Word

He was in the world;

he whose heartbeat resonates

with earth’s deep rhythms.

They did not know him;

his own people, not seeing

nor receiving him.

They are crying out,

yearning, aching. They will not

come, they will not hear.

He is in the world

at one with God, and with us;

listen to his words.

What will his words be?

Words that challenge and disturb,

turning upside down.

Some were listening,

taking his words deep within,

God’s faithful children.

And the Word became.

one of us, with flesh and blood,

with pain and dying.

Here, then, is wonder;

here is grace and here is truth,

for each one of us.

© Ken Rookes 2019

The gospel puzzle

Haiku of resolution.

The gospel puzzle:

Jesus the Galilean,

born in Bethlehem.

Rounding his story

Matthew give us more angels

to sort the mess out.

Despotic Herod’s

plans are spoiled, the infant

retreats to safety.

The threat is given

substance in a massacre;

a lucky escape!

Acts of cruelty

abound in human affairs;

why not another?

So the family

seeks refuge, South, in Egypt.

Like their ancestors.

It falls to Joseph,

family head, provider,

to protect his child.

Micah took us to

Bethlehem for the birth, time

now for Nazareth!

The conundrum solved!

The refugee family

settles in the North.

© Ken Rookes 2019

Becoming flesh

Haiku of wonder

In the beginning.

What a great opening line;

so much could follow.

Logos, more than word;

impossible mystery,

the essence of God.

There at creation,

alongside and one with God,

through whom all things come.

The six days give way

to the big bang universe;

was the Logos there?

Logos, source of life,

light challenging the darkness,

never submitting.

The true light arrives

to enlighten humankind;

may that day come soon!

Somehow mystery

takes flesh, coming among us;

living and dying.

Can you see where he

does touch earth with grace and hope;

will you receive him?

You who receive him

are his sisters and brothers;

children of God’s will.

© Ken Rookes 2019

Natal Narratives

Haiku for a birthday

History retreats

as the birth stories unfold,

highlighting wonder.

Natal narratives,

much loved by card designers;

but no shepherds here!

Matthew takes Joseph,

scripting him the leading role,

puts him centre stage.

Found to be with child!

Mary; what to do with her?

Joseph measures up.

As the story goes

an angel helps him decide,

to do the right thing.

The child, he is told,

is conceived through the Spirit.

Most improbable!

Hooray for Joseph!

By obedience and love

the story proceeds.

The child will be born

and the course of salvation

will not be hindered.

© Ken Rookes 2019

Song of Mary

Song of justice, song of peace,

song of struggle, song that pleads,

song to stir the anxious breast,

song that brings the weary, rest.

Song that speaks into the pain

song to bring us back again.

Song upon the lips of Mary,

song to make the rich folk wary.

Song of revolution shout,

song to throw the despots out.

Song of promise for the poor,

song that opens up the door.

Song to ring across the nations,

song of reconciliation.

Song of blessing from above,

song of unexpected love.

Song for widow, orphan, stranger;

song to celebrate the anger.

Song of laughter, song of tears,

song that challenges the fears.

Song of trouble, song of strife

song of hope and truth and life.

Song that overturns the wrong,

sing with Mary, join the song.

© Ken Rookes 2019

Doubting in the dark

Haiku of unexpected hope

John the Baptiser

languishing in the dungeon;

doubting in the dark.

Sending out his friends

to find out. Are you the One

or must we still wait?

Return to John, tell

of the things you see and hear;

life in its fullness.

Tell of God’s welcome,

the outsiders who find home,

of friendship’s triumph.

Tell of the confused

who have come to understand;

lives renewed by love.

Tell of the gospel

taking root in aching hearts,

producing much fruit.

Tell of forgiveness

bringing many beginnings,

joy blended with hope.

Tell prophet-man John

that God’s reign is upon us,

and to be at peace.

© Ken Rookes 2019.

The Baptiser cries

Haiku of expectation

The Baptiser cries

loudly his words to repent,

and weeps in silence.

In his op-shop clothes

of camel hair, leather belt,

catches them off-guard!

Make ready, he says;

things are changing, a new day

is about to dawn.

You privileged ones,

presuming on your birthrights;

produce fruits of love.

No place for smugness

you who think you have arrived;

you must live justly.

Flee the coming wrath;

produce fruits of justice, and

generosity.

One is coming soon,

with greater, more powerful

words of hope and life.

He will bring judgement.

There is really no need; we

bring it on ourselves.

© Ken Rookes 2019