Ritual

Isaiah 6:8

Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I; send me!”

There is comfort in the familiar,

in those actions that we repeat

time and again without too much effort on our part.

Rituals that are sacred,

that have a meaning all of their own;

rituals we can perform in our sleep,

yet which still have the power -

every once in a while -

to confront us

with the awe and mystery

of a Divine Being.

The One who reaches out of and beyond ritual

to impact our daily grind

with wonder and joy

or challenge and turmoil

or maybe all of these at once - 

to reunite us with the God

at the heart of all our ritual,

unconfined

by the restraints that we apply.

Power play

As we walk the corridors of power

have we paused to hold the door open for others

or have we gaily marched on

too seduced by our own lofty success

to consider the plight of those 

who have journeyed with us?

As we take our well earned place at the table

are we careful to make room for others

recognising that their presence

enhances, not threatens

complements not competes

or are we too tired of fighting

to want to make it easier

for those who come after?

God give us grace

to do what we can

to ease the journey

for all who follow

in our wake.

Stumbling along

Hosea 14:8-9

O Ephraim, what have I to do with idols?

It is I who answer and look after you.

I am like an evergreen cypress;

your faithfulness comes from me.

Those who are wise understand these things;

those who are discerning know them.

For the ways of the Lord are right,

and the upright walk in them,

but transgressors stumble in them.

Wisdom

Discernment

Tools of the wise

Enough

to cut through

all the noise

and bluster

to reach

the depths

of the things that matter

clearing away the debris

and making room

for love to penetrate

and light to escape.

Forging a pathway

which others may follow

finding God on the journey.

Looking forward

Jeremiah 7:23-24
But this command I gave them, “Obey my voice, and I will be your God, and you shall be my people; and walk only in the way that I command you, so that it may be well with you.” Yet they did not obey or incline their ear, but, in the stubbornness of their evil will, they walked in their own counsels, and looked backward rather than forward.

Looking back is tempting

There are lessons to be learned from the past

There is wisdom in the way

of those who have gone before

Yet our God calls us

to listen to the voice of God

today

A voice that speaks anew 

into each generation

and every culture

A voice that calls us out

to new people and places

to new ways of being

Ways that allow us

to hear God

amidst the clamour

of social media

in the very melee

of our connectedness

Ways that allow us

to seek out

those who are disconnected

for whom access is denied

to the myriad routes

of belonging

In the noise today

God calls us

to listen for those who are silent

to search out those voices

that are not heard

to follow God

into new ways of being

new ways of connectedness

with God and our neighbour

Looking forward

in order to glimpse

God dwelling with us

Today.

Passing on faith

Deuteronomy 4:9
But take care and watch yourselves closely, so as neither to forget the things that your eyes have seen nor to let them slip from your mind all the days of your life; make them known to your children and your children’s children—

Passing on faith

Or

Passing - on faith

Which will it be?

Will we remember the stories told to us?

Will we tell them to the next generation?

Will we share the love

of all who taught 

and nurtured us?

Or will we let that nourishing die on our watch?

Will we hold back

crushed by the fear

of getting it wrong

or treading on toes

or even of triggering painful memories?

Or will we share our stories anyway

and invite others to engage

with them

and with us

and with a God

who deals in stories

that are shot through 

with love for all

no holds barred.

Passing on faith

Or 

Passing - on faith?

Conviction

Daniel 3:28
Nebuchadnezzar said, “Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who has sent his angel and delivered his servants who trusted in him. They disobeyed the king’s command and yielded up their bodies rather than serve and worship any god except their own God.

What, in our lives 

signals our faith in God?

What gives the hint

that we follow

the way of Christ?

What might make others wonder

why we do the things we do?

And in their wondering,

what is there that they might want to emulate?

Does our discipleship,

our followership

look like good news

or seem life-giving.

Those ashes we donned 

at the beginning of Lent - 

Do they symbolise

faith, hope and love

as well as repentance?

Do they speak of freedom and conviction

or simply ritual and conformity?

Are we willing to stand out

in our everyday

as well as on high and holy days?

Would we stand convicted

as servants of the living God?

Where, today,

is God calling us,

giving opportunity

to stand out from the crowd

and be labelled 

as God's people

who bring light and life

to the people and places we inhabit?

Annunciation

Luke 1:38
Then Mary said, “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her.

Consenting 

Consenting to bear

the child of God

Consenting to bear

the stigma of judgement

 Consenting to bear

the worry and the fear

Consenting to bear

the wondering and confusion

Consenting to bear

the pain and the loss

Consenting to bear

the agony of grief

Consenting to birth

the hope of the world

“Let it be” said Mary

the mother of God.

The back story

Matthew 14:13
Now when Jesus heard this, he withdrew from there in a boat to a deserted place by himself. But when the crowds heard it, they followed him on foot from the towns.

When Jesus heard this...

the news that his cousin had been killed

He wanted time to be alone

He wanted space to mourn

But everyone wanted a piece of HIM

Often we don’t know the back story

We only know our needs

and our wants

May we have compassion

for all the back stories

that we might never hear

and may we tread cautiously

in our encounters with others

allowing for the possibility 

that we tread 

on broken dreams

and shattered hope.

May we be gentle

May we be kind

Making space for one another.

Be-Loved

Be-Loved

Cradled 

Nurtured

Held

Cherished

Gifted

Enriched

Enabled

Enlightened

Emboldened

Encouraged

Strengthened

Freed

Child of God

Be-Loved

“Alongside” service

Matthew 21:42-43
Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the scriptures:
‘The stone that the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone;
this was the Lord’s doing,
and it is amazing in our eyes’?
Therefore I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people that produces the fruits of the kingdom.

Who are the ones that we overlook

those we disrespect

deem unworthy

diminish

discount?

Where are those who,

with humility

are quietly getting on

with building 

the Kingdom of God

while we’re still squabbling

over rank 

and position

and status.

God forgive us.

Open our eyes

to see those places

and those people

in whom you are at work

and to take our place

alongside

so that we too may see

the fruits of the kingdom

and know again

the joy it is

to simply serve you.

Digging deep

Jeremiah 17:7-8
Blessed are those who trust in the Lord,
whose trust is the Lord.
They shall be like a tree planted by water,
sending out its roots by the stream.
It shall not fear when heat comes,
and its leaves shall stay green;
in the year of drought it is not anxious,
and it does not cease to bear fruit.

Roots

Spreading wide

Holding firmly

Often unseen

burrowing deep

searching out sustenance

Not easily dislodged

but clinging on tenaciously

Drinking deep

so that every part may be nourished

Often misshapen

gnarled 

from having to accommodate

obstacles and boundaries

each blemish 

each scar

with its own story to tell

Yet grounded

and strong

Knowing 

and returning to the source

from which life comes

Loving service

Matthew 20:25-28
But Jesus called them to him and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones are tyrants over them. It will not be so among you; but whoever wishes to be great among you must be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you must be your slave; just as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many.”

I’ve always been conflicted by these words Jesus

I want to serve

I really do

But, too often, I compare myself with others

And I notice that service

is often viewed as weakness

And I have colleagues 

who ask me to do things to which

they would never stoop

because of their standing

or because of their gender.

And so the service

I might freely have given

becomes more of a trial 

as I try to put aside resentment

and just do it anyway.

It’s not so much the service that is difficult

It’s being distracted 

Distracted by the opinions 

and the attitudes

and the reception

of others.

Lord, help me to see you 

in every opportunity to serve

Help me to discern your purpose

and your calling

And then, help me simply 

to do your bidding - 

not because the attitude of others

doesn’t matter

It does.

But help me to do your will

because consenting to 

what you ask of me

is the only way

to be

who you created me to be

the only way to know

Life in all its fullness

serving you

serving others.

We are one

Whiling away time

with coffee in hand

People watching 

as I wait for the car to be serviced

People pass the window of the coffee shop

where I sit

many are happed up against the cold

focussed on their daily business

heads down intent on progress

some with company

others alone.

While I pray.

And I remember conversations I’ve had recently

about praying in our neighbourhoods.

Whether the neighbours know or not

I pray 

And I am changed

As I continue watching

and praying

I no longer see

folk who look happy

or sad

folk who look friendly 

or defensive

those who are weighed down

or have a spring in their step

those who look like unmarried mothers

or those who look like they struggle with addictions

or with mental health issues

or those who look like life is hard

or those who look like they are employed - or not.

I see children of God

each with a unique role to play

in this common life.

I see individuals created and loved by God

And I ask God to bless them

and to bless me

as we share this life together

Promises, promises...

Luke 6:38
A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap; for the measure you give will be the measure you get back.”

Really, Lord

A good measure?

Pressed down,

shaken together,

running over...

I want to believe that.

But some days,

it’s hard to see.

Some days,

it feels like giving 

until there is nothing left to give

and spent,

wrung out,

running on empty,

still more is required.

On those days, Lord

remind us of your promise

surround us with your presence

keep on trying 

to attract our attention

until we see you

shining through the rainbow

dancing in the puddles

whispering in the breeze

with your love

and your laughter

with the updraft

of your amazing grace

and timely love

poured out

until your spirit

overflows once more

in us.

Rest

Mark 6:30-31
The apostles gathered around Jesus, and told him all that they had done and taught. He said to them, “Come away to a deserted place all by yourselves and rest a while.” For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat.

When the buzz of achievement wears off

Christ, you bid us rest

When we’ve given all we have to give

Christ, you bid us rest

When our resources seem exhausted

Christ you bid us rest

You bid us rest

not so that we can simply regroup and replenish

You bid us rest in you 

so that we can be reminded of your love

and your desire to hold us close

You bid us rest.

Until, resting in you, 

we find healing and strength

that enable us once more

to be open and vulnerable 

But first, 

in you we rest.

Stories shared

A day filled with stories

of things tried

of risks taken

some successful

some that provided great learning

all shared

to stimulate imagination

of the infinite possibilities that exist

in growing the Kingdom of God.

With humour

with pathos

with wisdom and insight

folk made themselves vulnerable 

inviting others

to poke about 

in the stories they offered

discovering kingdom values

finding inspiration

persistence

and courage

and the presence of

the Spirit of God

who aids us in our effort

and in our discernment 

as we follow Christ

being disciples 

proclaiming love

in our neighbourhoods.

In stories

we discover our common heritage

and our shared calling

to love and serve God today.

How long O Lord?

Let us pray

For those places where safety was reasonably assumed 

now turned into places of fear and desolation

For communities that knew peace and neighbourliness 

now desecrated by violence

For outpourings of grief and love

that will never be enough

For all who are so radicalised

that human life ceases to be valued

For citizens and governments

hell bent on making distinctions and divisions

within our common humanity

For the responsibility we share

for allowing evil to triumph

even momentarily

God, forgive us.

Forgive us and call us back

to your way of love

that knows no bounds.

Where love is love is love.

Desist!

Desist, and know that I [am] God, I am exalted among nations, I am exalted in the earth.
Psalm 46:10 (Young’s Literal Translation)

A reflection on the text shared at the beginning of a Fresh Expressions Gathering:

Desist

Stop doing

Cease

Abstain

How apposite

in our conversations

about the new things that 

God is doing.

For every Fresh Expression

however defined

there has to be a

Desist

We have to make space

get out of the way

in order to enable

the fresh breeze of God

(or even the tickle of a breath)

to blow through our structures

creating life

allowing love to escape

and overflow

into the communities we serve

Desist

and know God

who will be exalted

Harsh words

Luke 11:29-31
When the crowds were increasing, he began to say, “This generation is an evil generation; it asks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah. For just as Jonah became a sign to the people of Nineveh, so the Son of Man will be to this generation. The queen of the South will rise at the judgment with the people of this generation and condemn them, because she came from the ends of the earth to listen to the wisdom of Solomon, and see, something greater than Solomon is here!

Harsh words

A wake up call

Borne of the frustration of dealing with folks

who constantly refused to get it

Harsh words

uttered in love

because sometimes love has to be challenging

Harsh words

that sought to jar folks

to see what lay hidden in plain sight

Harsh words

spoken to provoke folk into acting

on all the teaching they knew

summed up in

“love God and love neighbour”

Harsh words 

that might be spoken

for our generation today

as we ignore what creation tells us

and continue to ravage the earth

as we witness and participate in

division and otherness

deeming some as less deserving than others

And as we blame everyone but ourselves

for our predicament today,

Harsh words

call us back from the abyss 

from the mess and rhetoric

from the stone throwing and the name calling

Harsh words call us

to love God

and love our neighbour.

See something greater is here:

God dwells in our midst in love

Will we reflect or obscure that love today?

The road to forgiveness

Matthew 6:14-15

For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you; but if you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

Forgiveness 

A place

to which the path is full of challenges,

wrong turnings and diversions

A journey

on which there are distractions and blind alleys,

slow-moving traffic and closed lanes

A process

in which there is often more hurt than healing 

more chafing of open sores

A destination

often temporary, fleetingly won

that can move without warning

The way to forgiveness requires 

determination

a strong heart

perseverance

courage

and, above all

LOVE

Son of God

Luke 3:35-38
... son of Serug, son of Reu, son of Peleg, son of Eber, son of Shelah, son of Cainan, son of Arphaxad, son of Shem, son of Noah, son of Lamech, son of Methuselah, son of Enoch, son of Jared, son of Mahalaleel, son of Cainan, son of Enos, son of Seth, son of Adam, son of God.

Son of God

Slotted into a genealogy

that includes lots of names

familiar and unfamiliar

Jesus 

Traced right back to Adam

who was the Son of God

First in line

and last in line

Adam

Jesus

Both also known as

Son of God.

Hearing the heartbeat of God

Luke 4:1-2

The Temptation of Jesus

Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness, where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing at all during those days, and when they were over, he was famished.

Fresh from the waters of baptism

with the voice of God ringing in his ears

Knowing himself beloved of God

Jesus retreated to the wilderness

Taking his fill of communion with God

knowing that , all too soon,

everything would be changed forever

Realising that as soon as he stepped back onto

the treadmill of life -

 even before that 

the opportunity for solitude

for rest

for soaking up the pleasure of God

would be lost forever

And sure enough

Even before he emerged from the wilderness

he was offered the temptations 

of comfort, wealth and power

that sought to sabotage his mission

before it even began.

On those days when our status

as beloved of God

rests on a shaky nail

(for us - not for God!)

when we are vulnerable,

ready to give in,

when it seems

that it would be easier to use our power,

to assert our authority

in ways that trample on others’ dreams

and that would take us further

from communion with God

may we be stopped in our tracks

by the God who offers retreat

in the midst of life.

And may we know that God

resourcing and enabling us

to choose hunger over comfort

and compassion over power

and love over everything 

that seeks to diminish

the heart of God

that beats

deep within us

connecting us

with the source of all life

No matter what...

Emotional

Irrational

Passionate

Mystical

Profound

Fun-loving

Mischief-making

Loyal

Strong

Fierce

Fabulous

Loved and called

not for what we might be

but just as we are.

Women - called by God.

In celebration of women

John 11:27

Martha said to him, “Yes, Lord, I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, the one coming into the world.”

Martha’s confession of faith, recognising Jesus as God’s son is one of the earliest confessions recorded yet goes largely unnoticed however startling it must have been at the time.

On this International Women’s Day, I give thanks for all the Marthas in my life whose faith has been a beacon in whose light I bask.

Giving thanks today for all those women who paved a way 

and on whose shoulders I have stood...

For Sarah, Hagar, 

Rebekah, Leah,

Athaliah, Jehosheba,

Miriam, Abigail,

Gomer, Bathsheba,

Shiphrah, Puah,

Esther, Ruth,

Naomi, Anna,

Dorcas, Martha,

Mary, Elizabeth,

Julian, Hilda,

Teneu, Theresa,

Hilda, Margaret

Those of the past and those of the present

Wise women

Witches, hags and crones

Birthing communities

Birthing stories.

Birthing faith, hope and love

for all the world.

Hearing the words not spoken

Today has been about listening

Listening for the gifts of wisdom

that others bring

Bringing to the fore their skill in practice 

holding it up to the light

Celebrating, honing, polishing

Honouring the privilege it is

to accompany others

as together we pool our resources

and help each other see a way through

all the challenges life brings.

And recognising underneath it all

the love of God

giver and source of all wisdom

bringer of light and life 

who directs

and walks alongside

all the while affirming

our relationship as

Co-creators 

Beloved of God.

Ashes to Go

Some thoughts on offering Ashes to Go this morning...

Standing on the corner as traffic crawled by

slowed by commuter volume

and by the need to check out why there was a gazebo

at the edge of the church lot.

People passing on foot, intrigued by the sight

of a priest sheltering from the rain

surplice flapping in the squally wind.

“Ashes to Go” declared the sign - 

an explanation for some

perhaps dredging up a distant memory 

of church ritual from days gone by.

Or a deepening of the mystery for others

with no point of reference

to the Christian tradition of Lent.

Still, it was good to be there.

To witness to the presence of God

in the midst of life.

To acknowledge that there is no distinction 

of sacred and secular

but that each life

and each moment

is beloved of God.

And, in donning ashes,

encountering the Christ

whose call to repentance

is a call to freedom,

a shrugging off of conformity,

a release from living up to expectations

an invitation to experience grace

that arises from unconditional love.

May these gifts received 

in the symbolism of a smudge of ash

overflow into all the days of Lent and beyond.

Ashes to Go indeed!