Tag Archives: war

The flight to Egypt (through Gaza)

I can only imagine that you went that way, searching the skies by night for a sign of Herod’s madness overtaking, or a message from the Magi flashed through the heavens; at twilight I scan for the satellites that bring news and war to stream down like … Continue reading

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Dressed for a wedding or a war

A sermon for 15 October 2023, on Year A Proper 23 readings Matthew 22:1-14, Philippians 4:1-9, Exodus 32:1-14, at the Church of the Epiphany, Euclid, Ohio Paul writes, Beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, … Continue reading

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Holy ground

God said, “This is holy ground.” In the middle of the wilderness, to the side of the path, from the heart of a desert shrub, God spoke, and God said, “This, too, is holy ground.” Because there is no place on earth that God has abandoned. Continue reading

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Still

A word of caution: Armistice: broken open by poets of war.

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Tomorrow’s gospel

“No one starts a war, Jesus says, without first calculating the chances of winning. Otherwise, they may get drawn into open-ended, unending conflict, with no clear way out, sending life chasing after death as though they hate the lives of … Continue reading

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Rumours of war

I dreamed of the young ones on graduation day. They were leaving for war, assembled rank and file on the high school field, the front line singled out and sent away. We tried to reach them for a parting embrace; … Continue reading

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Ordnance

Digging trenches, sunken defences against flood and farm-fouled run-off, a discovery gives pause. Once the soldiers ran these cliffs, looking for invaders, boats by night, enemies creeping up with the tide. They left behind a hand grenade, souvenir of suspicious … Continue reading

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Monday, November 28th: Prayer for peace

From today’s Eucharistic lectionary (Psalm 122; Isaiah 2:1-5; Matthew 8:5-13): Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: “May they prosper who love you. Peace be within your walls and quietness within your towers.” For my brethren and companions’ sake, I pray … Continue reading

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