Saturday 29 February 2020

Naming God

Genesis 16:5-16
Then Sarai said to Abram, “May the wrong done to me be on you! I gave my slave-girl to your embrace, and when she saw that she had conceived, she looked on me with contempt. May the Lord judge between you and me!” But Abram said to Sarai, “Your slave-girl is in your power; do to her as you please.” Then Sarai dealt harshly with her, and she ran away from her.
The angel of the Lord found her by a spring of water in the wilderness, the spring on the way to Shur. And he said, “Hagar, slave-girl of Sarai, where have you come from and where are you going?” She said, “I am running away from my mistress Sarai.” The angel of the Lord said to her, “Return to your mistress, and submit to her.” The angel of the Lord also said to her, “I will so greatly multiply your offspring that they cannot be counted for multitude.”
And the angel of the Lord said to her,
“Now you have conceived and shall bear a son;
you shall call him Ishmael,
for the Lord has given heed to your affliction.
He shall be a wild ass of a man,
with his hand against everyone,
and everyone’s hand against him;
and he shall live at odds with all his kin.”
So she named the Lord who spoke to her, “You are El-roi”; for she said, “Have I really seen God and remained alive after seeing him?” Therefore the well was called Beer-lahai-roi; it lies between Kadesh and Bered.
Hagar bore Abram a son; and Abram named his son, whom Hagar bore, Ishmael. Abram was eighty-six years old when Hagar bore him Ishmael.

Caught up in a system
stacked against her
with no options
and no way out
At the end of her tether
Hagar flees
It’s probably not the first time
and it certainly wasn’t the last time
that she knew despair
The despair of one
who is used and abused
a chattel
with no rights or protection
Yet, in her flight
in her desolation
by the roadside
she encountered God
and recognised
the One who promised life
Hagar saw and named 
the God she encountered.
Her recognition
in the moment of despair
brought from God
words of comfort
and words of terror.
The promise of a birth
and the guarantee of struggle  
And so this mother
of questionable heritage
without standing in her culture
became the bearer of a nation
An outsider
who saw and acknowledged God
And still
it is the outsiders
those on the margins
the ones we dismiss
who see the things 
that we do not.
It is those we have sidelined
who have a better perspective
and can alert us
to our blindness
But first we have to look
to the edges
and there discover
the ones with whom
God hangs out.
The ones who bear strongly
the likeness of Christ
From them we might learn
to see
and to know
God among us.

Friday 28 February 2020

Monumental woman

Genesis 19:15-26

When morning dawned, the angels urged Lot, saying, “Get up, take your wife and your two daughters who are here, or else you will be consumed in the punishment of the city.” But he lingered; so the men seized him and his wife and his two daughters by the hand, the Lord being merciful to him, and they brought him out and left him outside the city. When they had brought them outside, they said, “Flee for your life; do not look back or stop anywhere in the Plain; flee to the hills, or else you will be consumed.” And Lot said to them, “Oh, no, my lords; your servant has found favor with you, and you have shown me great kindness in saving my life; but I cannot flee to the hills, for fear the disaster will overtake me and I die. Look, that city is near enough to flee to, and it is a little one. Let me escape there—is it not a little one?—and my life will be saved!” He said to him, “Very well, I grant you this favor too, and will not overthrow the city of which you have spoken. Hurry, escape there, for I can do nothing until you arrive there.” Therefore the city was called Zoar. The sun had risen on the earth when Lot came to Zoar.
Then the Lord rained on Sodom and Gomorrah sulfur and fire from the Lord out of heaven; and he overthrew those cities, and all the Plain, and all the inhabitants of the cities, and what grew on the ground. But Lot’s wife, behind him, looked back, and she became a pillar of salt.

We do not know her name
only her fate
Lot’s wife -
stopped in her tracks
forever
For all time
held up
as a warning
for those who look back.
Her husband 
the one with a track record
the one who was prepared
to sacrifice his daughters
hesitated
He stalled
He negotiated
a place to hide
and his life was spared.
Who knows why
Lot’s wife looked back
In grief?
In compassion?
To ensure the safety
of her daughters
in the knowledge
that she couldn’t entrust that
to Lot?
Whatever the reason, 
judgement
and execution 
were swift
Just another unnamed woman
treated harshly
by a patriarchal culture.

Thursday 27 February 2020

Sarai - beautiful matriarch


Genesis 12:10-13
Abram and Sarai in Egypt
Now there was a famine in the land. So Abram went down to Egypt to reside there as an alien, for the famine was severe in the land. When he was about to enter Egypt, he said to his wife Sarai, “I know well that you are a woman beautiful in appearance; and when the Egyptians see you, they will say, ‘This is his wife’; then they will kill me, but they will let you live. Say you are my sister, so that it may go well with me because of you, and that my life may be spared on your account.”

Sarai
A woman who is prepared
to do whatever is required
to protect those she loves
A woman
who leaves all that she knows
to follow God
destination unknown
A woman
who places herself in danger
and plays down her beauty
to ensure her man will live
A woman
who stands aside
to ensure her husband
produces an heir
A woman 
who is disrespected
and retaliates
setting up generations
embroiled in bitterness.
A woman 
who lost faith
in the promise of God
but still found it in her
to be hospitable
to the Lord’s messengers
A woman 
who eavesdropped
and who laughed out loud
at the notion 
of bearing a son 
at the age of 90
already beyond menopause
and who carried her laughter
through conception 
and each anxious trimester
all the way to birth
and the fulfilment
of God’s promised blessing.
Truly a matriarch
of the people of God.

Wednesday 26 February 2020

Seeing the women


Throughout the season of Lent, I’m hoping to reflect on women in the Bible - named, unnamed, known and hidden...

Genesis 3:1-7
Now the serpent was more crafty than any other wild animal that the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God say, ‘You shall not eat from any tree in the garden’?” The woman said to the serpent, “We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden; but God said, ‘You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the middle of the garden, nor shall you touch it, or you shall die.’ ” But the serpent said to the woman, “You will not die; for God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate; and she also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate. Then the eyes of both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made loincloths for themselves.

Mother Eve
who carried within her
the seed of all humanity
and the fruit 
of all the earth
who bore on her shoulders
the weight of sin
manifest in the pain 
of broken relationships
and in constantly having to
tamp down her wit
and her enthusiasm
and her instinctual knowing
in the fear that she might just
outshine others.
As she fell for the serpent’s smooth talking
as she bit into the fruit
as her eyes were opened
to the wisdom of the gods
as she shared that wisdom with her mate
did she regret
even for an instant
her desire
to claim the fruit of knowledge
for her
and all her offspring?
Or, like countless sisters
who followed her
generation after generation
did she know
that a woman’s love
carried with it
guilt
and shame
and blame
Vulnerability
and loss
demanding everything
promising nothing
yet choosing to
give her all anyway
even under the weight
of silence.

Tuesday 25 February 2020

Broken hearts


Shrove Tuesday  - Preparing for Lent

Joel 2:12-13

Yet even now, says the Lord,
return to me with all your heart,
with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning;
rend your hearts and not your clothing.
Return to the Lord, your God,
for he is gracious and merciful,
slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love,
and relents from punishing.


Lord, forgive our outward displays of piety
that conceal our inner carelessness
Our going through the motions
that covers up our lack of conviction
Our forced cheerfulness
that disguises our inner desolation
Make us real, O Lord
Real enough to own our brokenness
And in the owning
open us to your transforming love
that breathes warmth into our coldness
melting the layers we have built on
shifting the defences we have put in place
seeping through our togetherness
until our hearts are broken with yours.
And then, as we gather up the pieces,
may we be unable to distinguish
what is yours
and what is ours
and give thanks for the wonder
of your dwelling in us
bringing wholeness
from the inside out.

Sunday 23 February 2020

Hearing and doing

James 1:19-22
Hearing and Doing the Word
You must understand this, my beloved: let everyone be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger; for your anger does not produce God’s righteousness. Therefore rid yourselves of all sordidness and rank growth of wickedness, and welcome with meekness the implanted word that has the power to save your souls.
But be doers of the word, and not merely hearers who deceive themselves.

Lord, in a world where we erect podiums
and then are surprised and disappointed 
when those we revere
fall short
When we are left questioning
the things we thought were good and true
When we are disillusioned
and outraged
and grieving
and uncertain
Give us the courage
to look deep within ourselves
To see all that resides in us
that extinguishes
that divine spark
that you place in each of us
That desire to give away our power
to relinquish our responsibility
to promote patriarchy
to be feminist only when it suits us
And as we see the darkness in ourselves
give us the will
to stand rightly in our power
with the force of love
to conquer evil
to raise up those
whose voices go unheard
whose oppression goes unseen 
whose justice is denied
And may the power we embrace
never be at another’s expense
May we know without a doubt
that your power
and your love
and your justice
are given for all
with no exclusions
no limits
And as we are empowered
may we empower others 
so that even in the darkness
your light shines brightly
revealing all
as we not only hear your word
but live out your promise
for all of creation.
In the name of the one who is love.

Friday 21 February 2020

Transfiguration - taking us deeper

Matthew 17:1-5
The Transfiguration
Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and his brother John and led them up a high mountain, by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became dazzling white. Suddenly there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. Then Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here; if you wish, I will make three dwellings here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” While he was still speaking, suddenly a bright cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud a voice said, “This is my Son, the Beloved; with him I am well pleased; listen to him!”

We don’t do well with the unexplainable.
We’d rather be able to cram everything into boxes,
labelled and categorised, neatly packaged.
We’re discombobulated by events that refuse to fit
into our systems and theories.
It’s been like that since the beginning,
since Adam and Eve
tried to cover their nakedness
or Noah asked for a drawing
or Sarah laughed out loud
or Lot’s wife wanted one last look
or Isaac wanted a ram
or Moses wanted a speech
or Gideon wanted a sign
or David wanted a harem
or Ruth wanted a husband
or Job wanted a break
or Jeremiah wanted a pair of clean shorts
or Amos wanted a simple basket of fruit
But all of these simple requests and actions
turned into multi-faceted messages about the reign of God.
And so the disciples
on the mountain top with Jesus
want everything pegged down:
tents for the prophets,
something to do,
anything,
to keep them from feeling
so out of their depth
at Jesus throwing them
yet another curve ball,
catching them off balance
with dazzling appearances
and voices from heaven,
too preoccupied with the desire
to “normalise” this event
that they tuned out the echoes of baptism
and didn’t catch the subtlety
of the beginning mirrored
in the beginning of the end.
A mountain top experience
that didn’t quite compute
when they were back on lower ground.

(Liz Crumlish 2014)

Tuesday 18 February 2020

Beautiful dust


Looking ahead to Ash Wednesday...

Remember that you are dust
and to dust you shall return

Some days it seems we hardly need a reminder
of our mortality
Creation cries out
in protest
at our stewardship
of resources
Our city streets
and parks
are littered
with all the signs 
of austerity
of a failed welfare system
of broken relationships
of those who have fallen
through gaping holes
never mind cracks
At every turn
we are confronted
by our frailty
So as we don ashes
in the midst
of brokenness
our own
and others’
may we resolve
to hold space 
for one another
Space in which
each is seen
and heard
valued 
accepted
loved
held in light
recognised
as beloved
And may the ashes we wear
signify 
kindness
generosity of spirit
unfailing love
tenacious hope 
and the possibility of redemption

Remember that you are dust
Beautiful dust
and to dust you shall return


Saturday 15 February 2020

Not only...but also


This Sunday’s gospel contains some hard teaching...

Matthew 5:43-48
Love for Enemies
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be children of your Father in heaven; for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the righteous and on the unrighteous. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers and sisters, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.


You have heard it said...
Lord, your teaching may simplify the law
but it does not diminish 
You make it plain
that what you ask of us
goes further
reaches deeper
demands more
More love
More compassion
More grace
You teach us
not just how to get by
but how to contribute
to the well-being
of all creation
You show us
how to transform the world
by being more
So, on those days 
when we are tempted
to give what comes easy
Or to simply follow others 
in half hearted gestures
Preserve us from being judgmental
and compel us to action
that stems from the awareness
that we are shot through
with your divine spirit
moulded with infinite love.
Help us to dig deeper
so that as you have blessed us
we may bless others
As you have forgiven us
we may forgive others
As you have loved us
we may love others
And, when we encounter those
who make all these things difficult
give us your heart of compassion
and your strength of mind
and root us in your power
so that we can do no other
but follow your law of love
until practice makes perfect
and grace abounds.

Saturday 8 February 2020

Bishops, Babies and Blessings


1 Thessalonians 5:16-21
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise the words of prophets, but test everything; hold fast to what is good;

This has been a week!
A week that seemed to last forever.
A week that I wish would never end
It started off- and continues-  joyfully
Catching up with friends
Sharing food and stories
laughing out loud
Friends who then became colleagues
as the banter morphed into professional roles
and we plied our craft
and included others
learning together
how to care for self and others.
And then a meeting with the bishop
who affirmed a call and began to sketch out a pathway
setting in motion
the fulfilment
of deep longing
releasing potential
for deep joy.
And in the midst of it all - a baby
A baby who refused to wait until all was ready
who disrupted all the careful planning
and preparation
Slivers of gospel right there
Glimpses
in the planned
and in the unpredictable
of the joyful spirit of God
wreaking havoc
creating mischief
making her presence known.
This has been a week!
A week that seemed to last forever.
A week that I wish would never end
And in its wake is birthed
all manner of new possibilities
and new adventures
and a whole host of other blessings
that are on the horizon
just waiting to be born
Ready or not
Thanks be to God
Bring it on!

Friday 7 February 2020

Decisions

Mark 6:17-20
Herod had sent men who arrested John, bound him, and put him in prison on account of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, because Herod had married her. For John had been telling Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.” And Herodias had a grudge against him, and wanted to kill him. But she could not, for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and he protected him. When he heard him, he was greatly perplexed; and yet he liked to listen to him.

Herod was a man caught
between a rock and a hard place
Torn
Pulled this way and that
Knowing, that whatever he decides
will please some
and upset others
And, of course,
there was love at stake
the love of a woman
who wanted the man who spoke hard truths
to be silenced forever
Who are the folk who challenge us?
Who make us uncomfortable
Who speak of troublesome things
we’d rather not hear
And how does love
inform our choices?
Does love bring courage
or the burden of attachment?
Does love make us bold
or silence our conviction?
May we have the wisdom
to sift what we hear
for what is true
even when it hurts.
And may our love
never be compromised
especially when choice is demanded
May grace be sufficient in all 

Wednesday 5 February 2020

Stepping up


Mark 6:1-5
He left that place and came to his hometown, and his disciples followed him. On the sabbath he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were astounded. They said, “Where did this man get all this? What is this wisdom that has been given to him? What deeds of power are being done by his hands! Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon, and are not his sisters here with us?” And they took offence at him. Then Jesus said to them, “Prophets are not without honour, except in their hometown, and among their own kin, and in their own house.” And he could do no deed of power there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and cured them.

Lord, what is the wisdom you have given me?
And with whom am I to share?
When I am dismissed
give me humility and grace
When I am revered
give me humility and grace
And, however difficult the spaces
you call me to occupy
give me courage 
to be present
When the space is not comfortable
When you call me to play a role
I would not choose
Reassure me that it is for a season
When I am called to lay aside frivolity 
help me to step into gravity
When I’m called to be up front
instead of alongside
help me to get on with it
knowing that the bit of you
that I carry within me
is enough
to transform any space
Enough
to infuse any encounter
And may my inner diva
be met by the presence
of your divine spirit
enhancing and enabling
your wisdom
to shine in the darkness
to sparkle in the dullness
and to keep on reminding me
 that in power
and in vulnerability
I am yours.
Fearfully and wonderfully made
Gifted and equipped
Loved unconditionally
Sent simply to serve
and leave the rest to you.


Tuesday 4 February 2020

Telling all...

Mark 5:30-34 
Immediately aware that power had gone forth from him, Jesus turned about in the crowd and said, “Who touched my clothes?” And his disciples said to him, “You see the crowd pressing in on you; how can you say, ‘Who touched me?’ ” He looked all around to see who had done it. But the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came in fear and trembling, fell down before him, and told him the whole truth. He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease.”


She told him the whole truth
About the illness
About the stigmatisation
About the betrayal of her body
And the betrayal of her community
About her rejection
And her isolation
About her yearning
to belong
About her desire
to fit in
About her longing 
to be well
About her desperation
that led to her recklessness
in reaching out
to touch the one
she imagined
could change her life
He heard it all
and gave her
her heart’s desire
Healing happened
not just when the bleeding stopped
not just when she was restored
to her community.
But when he interrupted his journey
to ask: Who touched me?
Healing occurred 
when her story was heard
and when she was seen
in all her beauty
A woman with a truth to tell
Seen and heard
Beloved daughter of God

FEEDJIT Live Traffic Feed