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Category Archives: sermon preparation
Two or three
Two or three: Jesus why are you afraid to be too alone with me? ______________ #preparingforSundaywithpoetry. This Sunday’s Gospel is full of numbers – no, not of numbers, of people, unalone. Matthew 18:15-20
Savour
This week’s #preparingforSundaywithpoetry perhaps bears more relation to the stories of Jesus’ original temptation than to his twin command to Peter to, “Get behind me, Satan!” But between those threads, and the idea that one could follow Jesus, taking up … Continue reading
First and last
Do you remember how,in the parable, he paid them, last and first?To the first he was fair, but to the last he was magnificent. Neither knew whether to laugh or shout or fall to their knees; so we, too, swayed between the thirsty and the relieved, envying and blaming each in … Continue reading
Walking on water
Heartracing like the tideebbing and flowing withoutvolition, permissionbattering this vesselbattered by the moonand its phasesfading Do not be afraidof ghostsconjured of foamand fearsome prayer on the cusp of translation Takea stepmy handmy life and let it betake heartthe storm by … Continue reading
Mustard seed
Split it with thumbnail or teeth, feel its tiny fire upon the tongue, a supernova soon consumed; or let it swell from within, fed by filtered light and living water, until it bursts open and eager, expanding like a universe … Continue reading
Together
Together we grow side by side rise and fall together who can tell us apart but God? Together in awful glory we will shine together with all the fire of the sun _______________________ Year A Proper 11: the parable of … Continue reading
Confessions of a crow
Dear One, do I perceive that you have told this parable against me? Have I stolen the seeds of contentment from those with whom I am on the way, the path that you have laid out in crazy paving, gravel, and grass, where joy should be … Continue reading
Rest
Did you recall, as you were falling into the earth, into the abyss of memory, before the ground dented the palms of your hands before their time; did you recall, as the once-living wood pierced your side with bitter splinters, … Continue reading
Posted in lectionary reflection, poetry, prayer, sermon preparation
Tagged cross, Matthew 11:25-30, Matthew 11:28-30, year a proper 9
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Sheep
Can a sheep teach a wolf to eat grass? To enjoy the tender snap of clover stalk, the flake of its flower upon the red and eager tongue? What does the wolf know or love of green pastures, still less … Continue reading
Mercy
Learn what this means, he says: I desire mercy, not sacrifice. But mercy, pitiless in its command, requires the sacrifice of satisfaction, Schadenfreude, vengeance. Righteous indignation; the bitter little consolations that coddle a sore, soured, soul. It makes one wonder, honestly, if he truly, truly understands the meaning of either Word. … Continue reading
Posted in lectionary reflection, poetry, prayer, sermon preparation
Tagged Hosea 6:6, Jesus, Matthew 9:9-13, mercy, sacrifice, Year A Proper 5
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over the water 