Unless I see…

 John 20:24-25

Jesus and Thomas

But Thomas (who was called the Twin), one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe.”

Where were you Thomas?

Were you the one elected to pick up supplies?

Or did you slip out, unobserved, 

to try and catch the word on the street

to gauge whether it was safe to come out?

Or did you just need to get out of there for a while

Away from the noise

And the recriminations

The what-ifs and the should-haves

Away from the aural processors

To be alone with your grief and loss and regret

Alone with your dashed hopes

and self recrimination

You were right to doubt the story that greeted you on your return

You were right to assert your need 

to see your risen Lord

to touch his wounded flesh

After all that had happened 

you needed to see for yourself

There was no space in your grief for hope

You couldn’t afford to be that hurt again

No more living on second hand stories

No more metaphor and mystery

This was a time, if ever there was

for raw, messy, vulnerable reality

Nothing less would do.

I’m glad you doubted, Thomas

Glad, too, that you got your moment

to touch that wounded flesh

and to meet your risen Lord 

To see and believe 

To be able to proclaim

MY Lord and MY God.

May I be as honest in my doubting

As clear about my need

And know transformation in the wounds of Christ today.

(Liz Crumlish 2022)

St Brigid and beer

Well of Eternal Youth, Dun I, Iona

As I dip my hand in the well of eternal youth

and splash the cooling water on my face

my prayer is not for youthfulness

but for wisdom

for peace

and for laughter

For the spirit of Brigid

who, legend has it,

blessed this well

That same Brigid

who turned water into beer

who prayed for an end to suffering 

Who cared for children

who welcomed women

I pray for her humour that disarmed

so much of the patriarchy around her

I pray for some of her indefatigable spirit

that brings newness every day

and is filled with compassion

and tenderness 

for all of creation

And, this I know - there is always room for more beer

Preparing for Retreat

Luke 24:13-15

Now on that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, and talking with each other about all these things that had happened. While they were talking and discussing, Jesus himself came near and went with them

I’m on Iona, taking a few days to prepare for a retreat I’m leading at Bishops House next week. On Saturday, 23 women clergy, from UK, Ireland, USA and Canada will gather to share our stories and discern anew our calling to serve in all the many ways that we live out our vocations.

As my Facebook timeline fills

with stories of journeys

of stopping places

of encounters - planned and unplanned

My prayer time fills

with thoughts of those enroute

Those filled with anticipation

Those filled with wonder

Those unsure what to expect

Those who have left room

in all their careful packing

for the unexpected

Those who journey in hope

Those whose step is weary

Those who tread lightly

Those who welcome it all, whatever it may be

Seeing the risen Christ

matching his step with ours

Planting one foot in front of the other

Or skipping alongside joyfully

Carefully waiting when we lag behind

Placing his wounded hand on our shoulder

the touch of vulnerability that releases our authenticity

In all the unknowns and possibilities

In all the curiosity, this I know

The Emmaus Christ remains with us

Coorying in beside us as we share our stories

Helping us make sense of all that has happened

Making himself known as we break bread together

And sending us on our way to continue to proclaim

The Lord is Risen

He is Risen indeed

Alleluia

Liz Crumlish April 2022 

The wounds of life

 John 20:26-28

A week later his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were shut, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe.” Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!”

Come and see

Come and see the Risen Lord

The word made flesh

Wounded flesh

Risen from the grave

with wounds still visible

Come and see

Come and see the one

who is not afraid of his scars

One who exposes his vulnerability

that we might embrace ours

One who doesn’t need us to clean up our act

preferring to get down and dirty with us

Come and see 

Come and see the one

who appears in our midst

Offering love

Offering acceptance

Offering trust

Offering hope 

Come and see 

My Lord and my God

No time for idle tales

 Luke 24:1-3, 8-11

But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they came to the tomb, taking the spices that they had prepared. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in, they did not find the body.

Then they remembered his words, and returning from the tomb, they told all this to the eleven and to all the rest. Now it was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women with them who told this to the apostles. But these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them.

This Easter, God knows, we need a miracle

We need more than a sign that death can be defeated

We need assurance that light will not be extinguished forever by darkness

This is no time for idle tales

How much do we believe in resurrection?

How far are we prepared to oppose the empire

that cannot stand to see its oppressive power defeated by love?

This is no time for idle tales

Throughout the world we see the evidence 

that empire is built on division and sustained in fear

using lies and deceit to shore up its shaky foundation

composed of layers of coercion and corruption

This is no time for idle tales.

How much are we prepared to resist?

To believe in one who was sacrificed by empire 

who plumbed the depths of hell

so that we might know:

This is no idle tale

It is a call for those who believe

in another power

in another kindom 

in the cumulative power of love

to keep on resisting the evil we see

with all that we have

for the love of one who gave all.

This is no idle tale.

(Liz Crumlish Easter 2022)

Making the tomb time count

 

Luke 23:54-56

It was the day of Preparation, and the sabbath was beginning. The women who had come with him from Galilee followed, and they saw the tomb and how his body was laid. Then they returned, and prepared spices and ointments.

On the sabbath they rested according to the commandment.

The cross is empty

The tomb is filled

And the women 

knowing that their world has changed

try to busy themselves 

Preparing spices

Observing sabbath

Bearing their grief together

Waiting - for what?

Their future looks as bleak as ours

who keep vigil today

on this Saturday that we call Holy

As we witness our world becoming all the more dangerous

for all who have been othered.

When government announcements seem incredible

in their blindness

and in their coldness

and in their bone-shaking cruelty

When we can’t see a way 

of moving from the despair that grips us

When we fear that we have no agency for change

what are the spices 

and the ointments

that we might prepare

to subvert the forces of evil?

How will we use this tomb time?

In fear and hiding?

Or in resting while gathering resolve?

The evil that confronts us

will not be defeated by force and by noise and chatter

not even by well meaning pronouncements

but by small, seemingly insignificant, acts of resistance

Acts of love and compassion

of inclusion and embrace

Radical hospitality practiced fiercely and relentlessly

promoted subversively 

until dawn emerges from the darkness

and light transforms the world.

So, gathering all our reserves

to vanquish darkness today

let us make this tomb time count.

Between…

 

John 19:16-18

Then he handed him over to them to be crucified.

So they took Jesus; and carrying the cross by himself, he went out to what is called The Place of the Skull, which in Hebrew is called Golgotha. There they crucified him, and with him two others, one on either side, with Jesus between them.

Between them

Crucified... between them

Creating a bridge

over which flowed love

Love that was pierced

Love that bled

Love that died

for a time

This Good Friday

that is where I want to be

hunkered down

in that love

that streams between

I know the rest of the story

I know that resurrection happens

But this Good Friday

my eyes are drawn

more than ever

to the cross

where love

was crucified.

And in a world

where many are dying

alone and between

that love,

for me,

is the only possibility

of hope.

On the Thursday

 

Luke 22:14-20

The Institution of the Lord’s Supper

When the hour came, he took his place at the table, and the apostles with him. He said to them, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer; for I tell you, I will not eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.” Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks he said, “Take this and divide it among yourselves; for I tell you that from now on I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” Then he took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” And he did the same with the cup after supper, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.

The cloth

thrown over the table

settles and comes to rest 

covering and beautifying. 

Covering up the scratches

of wear and tear

and family use,

transforming the kitchen table 

making it a welcoming space 

not just for family but for visitors too.

A place to greet old friends and make new.

A place to catch up with life and each other.

A place to encourage, persuade and cajole.

A place to listen and console.

A place to celebrate and commiserate.

A place to share food

that nurtures and sustains.

The bread of life, 

broken and shared around a table.

Gathered up

as each gives and takes what they need

and returns to give

and to take some more.

On the Wednesday

 

Luke 22:3-5

Then Satan entered into Judas called Iscariot, who was one of the twelve; he went away and conferred with the chief priests and officers of the temple police about how he might betray him to them. They were greatly pleased and agreed to give him money.

The betrayer

is always another

We rarely see in ourselves

the capacity for evil

that we ascribe to others

We prefer not to consider

how little it might take

for us to succumb

and sell our souls

for fleeting reward

Yet, when the night comes

and shadows fall

which of us

can stand firm in the light?

Liz Crumlish

When leaders disappoint

 Luke 23:6-12

When Pilate heard this, he asked whether the man was a Galilean. And when he learned that he was under Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent him off to Herod, who was himself in Jerusalem at that time. When Herod saw Jesus, he was very glad, for he had been wanting to see him for a long time, because he had heard about him and was hoping to see him perform some sign. He questioned him at some length, but Jesus gave him no answer. The chief priests and the scribes stood by, vehemently accusing him. Even Herod with his soldiers treated him with contempt and mocked him; then he put an elegant robe on him, and sent him back to Pilate. That same day Herod and Pilate became friends with each other; before this they had been enemies.

Herod and Pilate became friends.

United in inadequacy.

Colluders in indecisiveness.

Dangerous in their inability to see and to do what was right.

For thus it was… and is

Those of whom we expect better

seem destined to let us down

And those from whom we expect little

are sure to fall short of common decency 

with their propensity

to over promise and under deliver.

The vagaries of leadership

where personal integrity and accountability

has long been missing in action

serves up few surprises in moral bankruptcy 

This we know…

In a week when we remember

how it all played out

for the Son of God

we notice again

how ordinary people

and few of them

were the ones who stuck around long enough

to see hope emerge from despair

and light emerge from the darkness

And as political forces did their worst

the Son of God cried out

Forgive.

And so we continue on our way to the cross

where amidst jeering and hatred

and cries of condemnation

love spills its’ guts

And the suffering of the world

is consumed in the violence of death

and transformed in the immensity of love.

(Liz Crumlish)

On the Tuesday

Luke 21:29-33

The Lesson of the Fig Tree

Then he told them a parable: “Look at the fig tree and all the trees; as soon as they sprout leaves you can see for yourselves and know that summer is already near. So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near. Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all things have taken place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.

It was on the Tuesday 

that he told stories

about the two sons

the wicked husbandmen

the marriage supper

the ten virgins 

and the talents.

He fielded questions,

batted them right back

to the Pharisees, the Sadducees

and that "certain lawyer"

He looked into the future

and predicted

that Jerusalem would be destroyed

and painted a picture

of the last judgement.

All in a day's work

for a man on a journey,

 a man whose friends

were dropping like flies

failing him at every turn.

And who can blame them?

Who wants to set themselves up

for public execution?

Best to get out now

as the stories gets stranger

and the teaching gets too near the bone.

That was on the Tuesday...

Liz Crumlish 

It was on the Monday…

 

Luke 19:45-48

Jesus Cleanses the Temple

Then he entered the temple and began to drive out those who were selling things there; and he said, “It is written, ‘My house shall be a house of prayer’; but you have made it a den of robbers.”

Every day he was teaching in the temple. The chief priests, the scribes, and the leaders of the people kept looking for a way to kill him; but they did not find anything they could do, for all the people were spellbound by what they heard.

The crowd has dispersed for now

but still Jesus hogs the limelight

upsetting the temple traders

re-asserting the law

fascinating onlookers.

The religious big wigs

did not appreciate

that he pointed out their failings

and they're already determined

to get him

they are desperate

to put an end

to his unconventional behaviour

that attracts attention 

and encourages ordinary people

to act subversively.

Keep a low profile?

He wouldn't know how.

He is on a mission 

uncovering injustice

all the way to the cross.

Liz Crumlish

Which crowd?

Luke 19:36-40

As he rode along, people kept spreading their cloaks on the road. As he was now approaching the path down from the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to praise God joyfully with a loud voice for all the deeds of power that they had seen,

saying,

“Blessed is the king

who comes in the name of the Lord!

Peace in heaven,

and glory in the highest heaven!”

Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, order your disciples to stop.” He answered, “I tell you, if these were silent, the stones would shout out.”

This is the time

to work out

who we are

without a crowd.

We, who are so fickle 

often drawn in by popular opinion

often dragged along for the ride

have the opportunity

to question

who we are

and what we believe.

Will we still cry out

Hosanna!

Lord save us!

Or will we keep on colluding

with political forces

that oppress the poor

and allow the rich to prosper?

Silencing the voices of dissent

ignoring pleas for justice?

This Palm Sunday

away from the crowd,

whose name is on our lips

and whose creed

is written on our heart?

Blessed is the One who comes in the name of the Lord.

Hosanna! 

Fool’s Errand

 

It started with the search for a colt

a fools errand for the disciples

It ended with a parade

a clown's procession for the common people.

For Jesus used that colt

to laugh in the face of the authorities

taunting them

flexing his muscles of influence and popularity.

He really should have been keeping a low profile.

But, throwing caution to the wind,

he took himself into the city

and, enjoying, momentarily, the protection of the crowd

he pushed his enemies over the edge.

And he knew it.

He looked around, saw it was late, and left.

Late on so many levels.

Late in the day.

Late in the journey.

Too late for him.

His boats were now burned

and the salvaged timber already fashioned

into a cross.

A simple request: Find me a colt

set in motion

a whole series

of truths and dares

of arrest and trial

of betrayal

and denial.

His fate was sealed

and so was our redemption

as palms dissolve into passion.

A fool's errand indeed!

Liz Crumlish Palm Sunday 2012

It’s all about her

 

John 12:1-8

Mary Anoints Jesus

Six days before the Passover Jesus came to Bethany, the home of Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. There they gave a dinner for him. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those at the table with him. Mary took a pound of costly perfume made of pure nard, anointed Jesus’ feet, and wiped them with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (the one who was about to betray him), said, “Why was this perfume not sold for three hundred denarii and the money given to the poor?” (He said this not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief; he kept the common purse and used to steal what was put into it.) Jesus said, “Leave her alone. She bought it so that she might keep it for the day of my burial. You always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me.”

It’s not about the poor

It’s not about the dinner guests 

It’s not about the keeper of the purse

It’s about a woman’s extravagant gift

The costly ointment

The fragrance

The unadulterated love exposed for all to see

And the discomfort of 

witnessing such beauty and truth 

becomes too much to bear

And so the focus is diverted

from a woman’s gift

to the men’s distraction techniques

lest we, too, should be moved

to such radical acts of  love

that are searing to witness

causing those not comfortable in their own skin

to look away

to find distraction

in things that, in this moment,

do not matter.

Our discomfort might be transformed

by looking deeply

at the longings

and the fears

the envy

and the loss

that are stirred up in us

who bear witness

to a pure

and spontaneous love.

It’s all about Mary

and her love.