Category Archives: holy days

Good Friday: venerating the cross

Posted on March 25, 2016 by Rosalind C Hughes

This seems like a good time to remember that Jesus did not invent the cross. That cruel intersection of brutality and labour came from no divine inspiration, but rather from the same spirit that haunted prisons like Abu Ghraib. It … Continue reading →

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The penultimate last word

Posted on March 25, 2016 by Rosalind C Hughes

“It is finished.” Hurry, Jesus. Hurry to the appointment you have made to duel death. Hasten the darkening sky, that  a false dawn may break early; that you may fell the great destroyer. The soldiers come with mallets and spear, we hear … Continue reading →

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Maundy Thursday: sacrificing others

Posted on March 25, 2016 by Rosalind C Hughes

Caiaphas, the High Priest to whom Judas betrayed Jesus: Caiaphas had determined that it would be better for one man to be put to death for the sake of appeasing the Romans, for the sake of keeping the peace; for … Continue reading →

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The fifth last word

Posted on March 24, 2016 by Rosalind C Hughes

As the frog seeks its spawning ground, I yearn for the waters of new life. As the child wails for its mother’s breast, I crave your loving tenderness. As the hunger striker is starved of a reprieve, I cry out … Continue reading →

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The fourth last word

Posted on March 23, 2016 by Rosalind C Hughes

My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Life shines in the dark lens of your countenance. When you hide your face, all die, and return to the earth. Was it dust or grief, guilt or love that made … Continue reading →

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The third last word

Posted on March 22, 2016 by Rosalind C Hughes

When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing beside her, he said to his mother, “Woman, here is your son.” Then he said to the disciples, “Here is your mother.” There is no changing one body … Continue reading →

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The second last word

Posted on March 21, 2016 by Rosalind C Hughes

“Today, you will be with me in paradise…” I went to paradise once, before it was washed away. The Flood that was never meant to happen again consumed the golden sands, devoured the prayers of Allah’s faithful people. Their floating … Continue reading →

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Being one of the crowd: Palm Sunday 2016

Posted on March 20, 2016 by Rosalind C Hughes

Every Palm Sunday we start off well enough, praising God and waving palms in the air, waving at the passing traffic, throwing blessings around like confetti. Within the hour we have become the baying pack hounding Jesus to the cross, … Continue reading →

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Crossroads / Turned / the Reprieve of Barabbas

Posted on March 18, 2016 by Rosalind C Hughes

Crossroads Turned life changes on a dime hear them cheering, jeering to the music of horns spirits dangerously high sounds of glass shattering they’re drinking Koolaid like moonshine the smell spills over fuelling the fall into a shock of sky … Continue reading →

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An Ash Wednesday meditation

Posted on February 10, 2016 by Rosalind C Hughes

We are dust, and to dust we shall return. That much is true, and yet it is not the whole truth. We are dust. We are accounted as dust in the scales of creation and God, of the nations and … Continue reading →

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