Incognito

 Haiku of the impudent answer

Jesus is in Tyre,

a coastal city up north

in Gentile country.

He is travelling

incognito, needs a break.

But the word gets out.

A woman finds him.

Her daughter is sick; she wants

Jesus to heal her.

The woman bows down

at his feet. She’s desperate,

begging him to help.

You’re not one of us.

I’ve been sent to feed the kids,

not to feed the dogs.

The woman insists,

impudent. Even the dogs

get to eat the scraps!

Jesus laughs out loud.

Quite right, great answer! Go home,

your daughter is healed.

Holiday over,

Jesus makes his way back home;

brings blessing and hope.

They were astounded.

At his hands the deaf and mute

find healing and life.

© Ken Rookes 2021

Defiled hearts

Haiku of true worship

The Pharisees frown;

Jesus, your friends are eating

with their defiled hands.

Cleanliness requires

much washing, of hands and food;

also cups and pots.

They put much stock in

being ritually clean.

Jesus laughs at them.

Rules are worth nothing.

It’s what you do, what you say,

that matters to God.

Don’t try to honour

God with your lips if you won’t

do so with your hearts.

Take note, you leaders:

evil words and loveless deeds

render you unclean.

Human traditions

are rubbish, worship too; if

you’re ignoring God.

There’s only one law

that you need to keep; that you

love. The rest is dross.

© Ken Rookes 2021

Difficult teaching

Haiku for the troubled

Come, eat my flesh! The

literally-minded folk

take extreme offence.

What is his meaning,

this claim to be bread for all;

the bread who gives life?

The words that I speak

brings life to your spirit; yet

not all will believe.

Even disciples

are troubled. This difficult

teaching troubles them.

Some of them decamped.

He asks the twelve, Do you wish

to turn back also?

Simon Peter speaks:

To whom can we go? Your words

alone lead to life.

We have known you, Lord;

We see your words are true, that

you are sent from God.

© Ken Rookes 2021

Life for the whole world

 

Haiku for disputation

I am bread that lives

and gives life to the whole world;

life that comes from God.

He offends them, this

Johannine Jesus; speaking

of his flesh and blood.

Only Eucharist

can make sense of these sayings.

That, and his dying.

True food, and true drink,

my very self in flesh, blood;

I am here for you.

Eat of me; take me

deeply inside you, find me

in all your living

Take me deep within;

my body, blood, and my words.

You shall truly live.

You, who are my friends,

I live in you, you in me;

multiplying life.

© Ken Rookes 2021

Bread that fills the soul

Haiku of life

He said, I am bread;

bread that fills the soul. Don’t thirst

or hunger, come!

The leaders complain:

How can he say these things, I

am bread from heaven?

God is doing this,

drawing folk to hear my words;

they shall know God’s life.

Open your eyes, ears,

to learn God’s truth, to receive

God’s life eternal.

Wilderness manna

from God fed hungry people;

but later they died.

Heaven’s living bread

gives eternal life. I am

the bread from heaven.

I am bread. I give

my body; a gift of life

for all humankind.

© Ken Rookes 2021

 

Bread that is true

Haiku for hungry people

The persistent crowds

seek Jesus, boarding their boats

to sail after him.

You’re looking for me

because I fed you with loaves;

but you’re still hungry.

Bread for the belly

lasts but hours. Seek God’s bread,

feeding the spirit.

The bread that is true,

far better than Moses gave,

comes from the Father.

Sir, give us this bread

always; each, every day

feed us with your life.

I am bread for life,

says the Johannine Jesus;

come, believe in me.

Trust the things I say,

do the things I’m telling you:

so fulfil God’s work.

You, who are hungry,

and you who thirst for fullness,

hear my words and live.

 

© Ken Rookes 2021

 

© Ken Rookes 2021

Signs

Haiku for the hungry

They came seeking signs.

Were not his words sufficient?

Apparently not.

The crowd was hungry

for his words, for the healing

the signs and the hope.

There’s a food shortage;

the hunger is great, it gnaws.

Jesus must feed them.

A boy brings his lunch.

Five barley loaves and two fish.

That will not go far!

Here is mystery!

Somehow all are satisfied;

their hungers addressed.

An impressive sign!

This indeed is a prophet,

the one God has sent.

That is not a sign;

this is a sign! Jesus strides

across the lake

You want a sign? Here,

try this, he says, winking, as

he crosses the lake

Don’t be afraid, it

is I! Jesus says; his words

bringing on God’s peace.

© Ken Rookes 2021

Escaping the crowds

 Haiku for a retreat

They have been busy;

the twelve he sent out to share

his life-giving news.

To the wilderness

they retreat, an empty place

where they can rest up.

The lake is their friend!

They sail in their little boat

away from the throng.

He has become known.

Recognition blocks the plan;

the crowds come seeking.

They are shepherd-less,

these sheep. He steps up to teach,

sharing the kingdom.

His fame goes ahead.

In Gennesaret the crowds

see him and gather.

They hope to be healed.

We all do. Come, Lord Jesus;

we, too, are broken.

© Ken Rookes 2021

The reckless prophet

Haiku for troublemakers.

The reckless prophet,

a baptiser known as John;

trouble has found him.

A sordid story.

The stepdaughter dances. Lust

overcomes the king.

He offers her half

his kingdom. What do you want?

The baptiser’s head.

The king is sorry,

but with all the witnesses

he grants the request.

The wilderness man

is silenced; the forerunner’s

work brought to an end.

Inestimably

worthy: reckless defiance

and foolish courage.

Where are our prophets?

Are their foolish words still heard;

or are they silenced?

What would it take to

silence me? Much less, I fear,

than it took for John.

© Ken Rookes 2021

Getting on with it.

 

Haiku for disciples

There is nothing new.

People still take great offence

at what Jesus says.

The self-styled righteous

can’t believe that such wisdom

can reside in him.

We know his brothers;

he’s just a carpenter’s son.

Look, there’s his mother!

Some pretend to be

followers; ones who listen

but forget to love.

So-called holy hands

are raised high in devotion,

but won’t do love’s work.

He has instructed

the twelve, revealed the kingdom;

now he sends them out.

You won’t need a bag,

don’t take spare clothes, bread, money;

our God will provide.

Go, share my good news.

Some will hear you, some will not.

That’s the way it is.

© Ken Rookes 2021

Two stories

Haiku of hope

They weave together,

two stories of healing, hope;

twelve years connect them.

Twelve years of bleeding,

Twelve years of shame. If only

she could touch his hem.

Twelve years and dying,

her parents are distraught. Come,

Jesus, heal our child!

A girl, a woman

both needing their lives restored.

Bring healing, give hope.

The girl sleeps, he says.

They laugh, knowing she is dead.

He sees beyond death

Ah, Jesus, my friend.

My own suffering is small,

yet speak life to me!

© Ken Rookes 2021