Shepherds

Some rural haiku

Rural metaphors

abound in Jesus’ teachings.

This is an old one

The Lord is shepherd;

we find it in the Psalms, and

in Ezekiel.

There’s a few of them;

Jacob, Moses, Amos, Dave –

looking after flocks.

Good shepherd Jesus;

guide, protector of his flock,

knowing ev’ry sheep.

He is no stranger.

We know his voice, hear his words,

and we follow him.

Jesus is the gate,

through him we pass into life

in all its fullness.

Thieves and bandits still

speak tempting words; we must not

let them seduce us.

Good at pretending

they have our interests at heart,

but ripping us off.

© Ken Rookes 2020

Thessaloniki

Thessaloniki

Haiku for founding a church

We went there last year:

Thessaloniki, sun-drenched,

oozing history.

Coming among them,

the Apostle convinced some,

offended others.

They couldn’t find Paul

or Silas; they grabbed Jason,

dragging him to court.

Much consternation.

Seditious accusations!

They get out on bail.

Somehow the word stuck;

planted in turmoil, the church

produces much fruit.

Paul writes them letters,

commending their love and faith;

they are examples.

Their love and welcome

prove that they have truly heard

Jesus words’ of life.

The deeds are noted,

their faith is celebrated

throughout the region.

People are watching;

by our fruits, we too, are known.

Better get it right.

© Ken Rookes 2020

Posted in response to the Narrative Lectionary Readings for the fourth Sunday in Easter.

Recognition

Haiku for opened eyes

They did not know him

the perplexed pair as they walked

home, to Emmaus.

They’d heard the reports

from the women at the tomb;

struggled to believe.

The stranger listened,

then spoke to their confusion;

The Christ must suffer.

They pressed him to stay,

Come in and share some tucker.

They passed him some bread.

The recognition!

Then he was gone. They raced back

to Jerusalem.

Jesus, let us see

and recognise your presence

as we share the bread.

Let us see your face,

Lord; and journey as comrades

towards your kingdom.

© Ken Rookes 2020

The word that brings life

Haiku of wholeness

He couldn’t escape.

The people recognised him;

the word spread, they came.

For the miracles

and the healings they gathered,

pleading, insistent.

Wherever he went

they came for the miracles,

more than for his words.

Jump a year or two,

he is no longer with them,

except in Spirit.

At the Lovely Gate

disciples Peter and John:

the lame man begs alms.

Following their Lord

they speak a healing word, pull

off a miracle.

Walking and leaping,

the healed man sang God’s praises.

They were all amazed.

Better than silver,

more valuable than gold;

God’s word that brings life.

© Ken Rookes 2020

Posted in response to the two bible readings from the Narrative Lectionary for the 3rd Sunday of Easter.

The purpose

Haiku of peace

John does it better!

His Jesus comes through locked doors.

Well, why shouldn't he?

Imparting Spirit,

Jesus ensures the mission

goes on without him.

Make forgiveness real,

so that all folk are made free,

capable of love.

No room for doubting!

Even Thomas is sorted,

leaving me alone.

Doubt is not opposed

to Faith; that’s the role of Fear.

Doubt and Faith are friends.

My Lord and my God!

Hey, followers of Jesus,

get on with the task!

The book is written,

John asserts, to convince us;

so that we might live.

© Ken Rookes 2020

The next chapter

Haiku of witness

Ah, Theophilus

our erstwhile correspondent,

here’s the next chapter.

They saw him alive

a number of times, so the

tradition tells us.

In Jerusalem

the Spirit will be given,

you must wait for it.

He sends power

to bear witness with your lives,

not just with your words.

Are we to witness

just to the resurrection

or to his whole life?

He remains with us,

no longer in the flesh

but by his Spirit.

© Ken Rookes 2020

Posted in response to the Narrative Lectionary for the second Sunday in Easter

The tomb's emptiness

Haiku without limits

The tomb’s emptiness,

underlined by an earthquake.

Still confounding us.

Two faithful women,

don’t need spices as a prop,

visiting the tomb.

Its all a bit much!

An angel is sent to clear

away confusion.

The stone has been rolled

and the guards have all fainted.

Do not be afraid!

Instructions follow.

Come and see, then go and tell:

Your Lord has been raised!

Fear mixes with joy,

strangeness and uncertainty.

What are we to think?

Suddenly he’s here.

Do not fear! Go, tell my friends

We will meet again.

© Ken Rookes 2020

Love's duty

Haiku of the dawn

The Sabbath had passed.

They came to tend to his corpse,

to confront their pain.

The three: Salome,

the Marys, women of faith,

doing love’s duty.

As the sun rises

they bring their aching sorrow,

their baskets of spice.

Who will roll the stone?

One more barrier to face

and to overcome.

Look! The stone is gone!

Come inside the dark unknown,

discover the truth.

A youth dressed in white

greets them, Do not be alarmed!

Not much chance of that!

The tomb is empty.

What are we to make of this?

Does he really live?

Mark leaves us with doubt,

bewilderment and terror

as they flee in fear.

© Ken Rookes 2020

One for the Narrative Lectionary, responding to Mark's story of the empty tomb.

Silence

Haiku for washing one’s hands

He gave no answer

when the governor asked him

about the charges.

They called for his death;

Pilate knew his innocence.

Let’s not make trouble.

The sorrow, the pain,

the cruelty; sacrificed

for expedience.

We still silence them;

prophets with their awkward words.

They keep coming back.

Who do we call for;

taking man or giving man?

Choose between the two.

Are you still there God?

Why have you abandoned me?

Nothing but silence.

Will Elijah come?

Will anyone rescue him?

But nobody comes.

His voice cries again.

Anguished and forsaken

the king breathes his last.

© Ken Rookes 2020

But what of the Poor?

Haiku of poured-out love

Ah, Lord Jesus,

how to show my love for you,

what to make it real?

The very costly

ointment of nard spills over

his face and his hair

Splashed with abandon

in a profound act of love.

A perfumed present.

Loving is costly.

Effort, commitment, struggle;

also many tears.

But what of the poor?

Yes, of course, we all must spend

love upon them, too.

This woman has done

something beautiful for me;

for my burial.

Will I love this way,

with my naked heart exposed,

accepting the pain?

© Ken Rookes 2020

Posting for Palm Sunday, Narrative Lectionary;  Mark's version of the Anointing at Bethany

We are born, we die.

Haiku of joy and sorrow

Near Jerusalem,

Bethany, place of welcome;

Martha and Mary.

Brother Lazarus

is ill. They send for Jesus.

He doesn’t hurry.

Twelve hours of daylight,

nobody needs to stumble

if they see the light.

Lazarus is dead.

Much grieving with many tears;

Jesus weeps with them.

Your brother will rise.

I am the resurrection.

Trust in me, and live

Yes, Lord, I believe

that you are the Messiah,

the Son sent from God.

Mary comes and kneels.

If only you were here, Lord,

he would not have died.

We are born, we die.

Cycles of joy and sorrow;

we all must face death.

It’s overrated,

bodily resurrection;

there’s a time to die.

Jesus prefigures

his own dying and rising,

raises Lazarus.

© Ken Rookes 2020