Such love

Matthew 21:14-15

The blind and the lame came to him in the temple, and he cured them. But when the chief priests and the scribes saw the amazing things that he did, and heard the children crying out in the temple, “Hosanna to the Son of David,” they became angry

There will always be those

who are suspicious

of the motives of others

or threatened

by their popularity

Those who cannot see good

for what it is

Pure

Uncomplicated

Love in action

And for those 

who practice justice

and love mercy

and walk humbly 

the naysayers

bring danger

and do their best

to suck the good out of

all that promises 

wholeness and healing.

But love had - and has the last word

Even as he was being crucified

the King of love cried

"Father, forgive them"

And such love

could not be extinguished

but triumphed

over the angry ones.

Such love.

Making room

Matthew 21:12

Jesus Cleanses the Temple

Then Jesus entered the temple and drove out all who were selling and buying in the temple, and he overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who sold doves.

No room for the poor

who couldn't afford the temple taxes

or acquire the right kind of offerings

No room for the sick

who might defile the space for others

No room for the sinners

who might dilute the righteousness

No room for the lonely

who might carry the expectation of community

Jesus entered the temple

and cleared the space

making room for those

who wanted to pray.

And what of our sanctuaries today?

Is there a place for those who could use some care

Those who don't sit still for very long

Those who interrupt

Those who are confused

Those who need our patience 

as we sit with them in welcome

Those who do not contribute

except by affording us the opportunity

to welcome and embrace.

Is there a place

for the poor and the lonely

for the sick and the hurting

for the righteous and the sinner

Is there a place for prayer?

Matthew 21:13

He said to them, “It is written,

‘My house shall be called a house of prayer’;

but you are making it a den of robbers.”

Hosanna

Matthew 21:9

The crowds that went ahead of him and that followed were shouting,

“Hosanna to the Son of David!

Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!

Hosanna in the highest heaven!”

Hosanna'

Lord save us

cried the children

mimicking their elders

Hosanna

Lord save us

cried the weary

pleading for an easier load

Hosanna

Lord save us

cried the women

longing for compassion

Hosanna

Lord save us 

cried the outcasts 

hoping for acceptance

Hosanna

Lord save us

cried the disciples

still confused about their journey

And who are the folk today crying

Hosanna

Lord save us

Seeking companionship

on their journey 

compassion and acceptance 

along the way

a lightening of the load

and purpose

for each new day

Hosanna

Lord save us

A cry that awaits

our response today.

Pray, pray and pray again

Colossians 1:9

For this reason, since the day we heard it, we have not ceased praying for you and asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of God’s will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding,

To be covered in prayer

Is a gift without price

Like a comfort blanket

gently draped

or held on to.

Like a duvet

being pulled back

on a cold wintry morning.

Like a soft fleecy snuggle

that brings warmth.

Prayer that

Comforts

Confronts

Cajoles

Prayer that

Relaxes

Stimulates

Motivates.

Prayer is a gift

For giving

And receiving

A blessing 

too often overlooked

but never overdone.

Pray without ceasing

Avoiding corruption

James 1:27

Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.

Caring involves

rolling up our sleeves

diving in

making a difference.

It's often hands on

rough and gritty.

Not too effective

when we hold ourselves back

and try to care remotely.

But it's easy to get sucked in

become complicit.

It's easy to find our worth

maybe even our identity

in serving others.

And going that bit further

to help folk up

to enable

risks our sense of being.

It is that seduction

that poses a danger

a trap into which

we might fall.

There is a balance to be struck

and finding it allows us 

to be more effective

at restoring the rights and freedom

df others.

A time for clearing

1 Peter 2:1

The Living Stone and a Chosen People

​Rid yourselves, therefore, of all malice, and all guile, insincerity, envy, and all slander.

That's a tall order

ridding oneself

of all malice

of guile

of insincerity

of envy

and slander

What will be left

but a gaping hole

in the places

where those things resided.

A gaping hole

into which can move

kindness

positive regard

Joy

compassion

earnestness

And still there would be room

for other positive qualities

Qualities that take energy

to cultivate

but which bring

their own growth

and capacity for expansion

A tall order.

Clearing the weeds

to allow beauty to grow.

Tender-hearted

1 Peter 3:8-9

Suffering for Doing Right

Finally, all of you, have unity of spirit, sympathy, love for one another, a tender heart, and a humble mind. Do not repay evil for evil or abuse for abuse; but, on the contrary, repay with a blessing. It is for this that you were called—that you might inherit a blessing.

A tender heart

may be bruised

abused

manipulated

hurt

even broken.

But the ability

to be a blessing

outweighs all the risks.

And the strength there is

in being tender hearted

especially against the odds

compensates every slight

heals every hurt

and binds up

every brokenness.

Be challenged

Throw caution to the wind

And let your tender heart

shine through.

Be blessed.

And be a blessing.