Category Archives: lectionary reflection

Year C Proper 6: David, Bathsheba, and Jesus go to Stanford

It may be that he should weep at her feet, and kiss them, the Son of David begging forgiveness, belatedly, of the daughter of Bathsheba. Continue reading

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Martyrs

The commemoration for tonight’s healing prayers, held in orange, is for Blandina and Her Companions, the Martyrs of Lyons.  The Collect: Grant, O Lord, that we who keep the feast of the holy martyrs Blandina and her companions may be … Continue reading

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The Stone Mason

Only the mason knows the secret flaw carved into the setting of precious stones and metal, glorious, reflecting sunlight and the king’s delight, having built God a home, domesticated the Wild One, his prize. Inspired by the whorl and swirl … Continue reading

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Unbabel

Slab-flat vowels like a block of dough slapped down on the kneading board; sibilant aromas of spice and fruit from afar off mingle with crisp consonants. Syllables roll like oranges through the early morning marketplace; polyphonic strangers drawn by the … Continue reading

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Year C Easter 6: Down by the river

Silt sinking to your shoes, knee deep in ooze, you lose your stream of thought way down by the river to pray. Tripping, tickling trout tumbling upward, hope lifts labour over falls, life runs down by the river to pray. … Continue reading

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Crossroads / Turned / the Reprieve of Barabbas

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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Earth, oil, ashes, and a pound of precious nard

I have anointed people for death, and I think Mary was right to get in early, because when I return, a few days later, or a week, I do not come bearing precious nard. Continue reading

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Jesus, Mary, and Judas

Poor, jealous Judas, love-lorn puppy, eyes stinging from the stench and from the memory: “See how he loved him!” they said when Jesus wept, and now this woman spilling fragrant death all over. Her sister rattles the plates on purpose. Mary, rapt … Continue reading

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The prodigal God

Waiting  for the God to come home; if I saw her on the road would I run, hitching up my skirts, fire up the pyre, melt the golden calf, sacrifice my unbelief, my cold soul on the altar of her … Continue reading

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A cynical preacher on the prodigal parable

Every story has a point of view. I knew that family. I would have told their story a little differently than Jesus did. I would have told you a little more. The kid was a chancer, a gambler, an addict. … Continue reading

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