Category Archives: lectionary reflection

The strange story of Barry Baker

Posted on August 13, 2015 by Rosalind C Hughes

There are occasional joys in being a borderline hoarder. This week at Bible Study, we were looking at the Gospel for the coming Sunday, and feeling as bewildered as the poor people in the passage wondering what the devil Jesus … Continue reading →

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more than watchmen for the morning

Posted on August 4, 2015 by Rosalind C Hughes

In the silence before the dawn,
in the fearful shadows that embalm
the edges of sleep, each sound
is amplified: Continue reading →

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Unmiracle

Posted on July 27, 2015 by Rosalind C Hughes

A miracle is, by definition, unlikely to happen. When our daughter was ten, I lost her in the woods. She was ten, and actively honing her skills in defiance, contrariness, and flouncing. It was our first visit after moving away, … Continue reading →

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Family entertainment

Posted on July 16, 2015 by Rosalind C Hughes

“Off with his head!” cried the Queen of Hearts. It had all begun much earlier, with a powerless princess, pawn pushed about in a dizzying dance by the Queen and her King; the Bishop turned slantwise away, his excited disapproval … Continue reading →

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Haikonic afterthoughts

Posted on June 9, 2015 by Rosalind C Hughes

On blasphemy against the Holy Spirit Blasphemy: wilful submission to delusions of divinity Blasphemy: pinching out air, pressing the human back into the clay Blasphemy: wilful misinterpretation of the mercy of God

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Everyday holiness

Posted on March 31, 2015 by Rosalind C Hughes

Although they had warned him against her, there was nothing untoward in her touch. The salt of her tears drew out his skin as though it reached back toward her. She dried his toes with her hair, barely tickling; no … Continue reading →

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Prayer drought

Posted on March 12, 2015 by Rosalind C Hughes

A reflection for the Lenten collection of the Diocese of Ohio. From the day’s readings: “Jesus was casting out a demon that was mute; when the demon had gone out, the one who was mute spoke, and the crowds were … Continue reading →

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Pigeon

Posted on March 3, 2015 by Rosalind C Hughes

I like to hang around the fountains, water coolers of the city, where traffic intersects, dropping crumbs of cake and gossip, lies and lives. Few notice me, but in the moment that it takes their breath to fall I have named … Continue reading →

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Simon Peter Says

Posted on February 26, 2015 by Rosalind C Hughes

Think positive Put on a brave face Put your best foot forward Do not waver Do not speak of death and it will not happen Do not look upon the cross and it will not crush you Look on the … Continue reading →

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Transfiguration

Posted on February 11, 2015 by Rosalind C Hughes

thunderous light falling crushing sight and sound, revealing in the core of being darkness split by the silver of a sharp-edged mirror sliver, cracked images dancing; resplendent shards

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