Invited guests

2 Peter 3:13

But, in accordance with God’s promise, we wait for new heavens and a new earth, where righteousness is at home.

We wait…

But in the meantime

It makes sense to prepare

To make ready

for a world where righteousness is at home

To imagine in the midst of all that is broken

how we might learn to recognise righteousness

when it appears.

We wait…

Not as hosts in prominent places

with knowledge that will enlighten

But as guests who are cordially invited

to learn from those who know

how righteousness is born

in the midst of hopelessness and despair

and in the grit of anger 

that sees beyond pain to potential

We wait…

and are afforded a glimpse of grief

that is determined to make a difference

for generations that follow

The invitation is to be allies, not leaders

lending our voices to calls for justice

and our solidarity to those who feel alone

and to sit at the feet of those

who know what righteousness looks like.

We wait…

(Liz Crumlish)

 

The whisper of God

God speaks to each of us as we are created

Then walks silently with us out to the night

These are the words we dimly hear:

You, sent out beyond your recall,
go to the limits of your longing.
Embody me.

Flare up like a flame
and make big shadows I can move in.

Rainer Maria Rilke

Creating God- shaped shadows 

takes grace-filled audacity

Inviting participation

in a rhythm that is as old as time

and as new as the dawning day

Way beyond our longings

and all we can know

to partner with the one who made us

and who promises us: there is more

- and you have a part to play

in healing the brokenness of the world

Take my hand

and I will show you how.

May it be so.

(Liz Crumlish)

Everything has its season

 Matthew 21:18-19

In the morning, when Jesus returned to the city, he was hungry. And seeing a fig tree by the side of the road, he went to it and found nothing at all on it but leaves. Then he said to it, “May no fruit ever come from you again!” And the fig tree withered at once.

How often do we have days like the one Jesus had

when he cursed the fig tree?

He was hangry*

And, even though it was out of season

Even though the fig tree was resting

already nurturing within itself

all the fruits of a new season

that would spring forth in time…

Right there and then

it was of no use

to a man on a mission.

I wonder how often, in our impatience

we haven’t given others a chance

How often have we given up too soon?

How often, have we, ourselves, been judged and found wanting 

because others are simply in the wrong frame of mind

impatient for something that might be consumed?

I wonder what opportunities will be presented to us today

gifts that, if we get out of our own way

or, if we dare to risk delayed gratification

will be ours to nurture

until the harvest in its season.

(Liz Crumlish)

*hangry - angry/irrational because one is hungry

Stay curious

 2 Peter 1:2-3

May grace and peace be yours in abundance in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.

His divine power has given us everything needed for life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.

All that we need…

along with curiosity 

and imagination to explore 

The vastness of the universe

The huge canopy of sky

The oceans laving coastlines

The deserts stretching for miles

luring us into adventure

And as we engage 

with the forces of the Universe

and with the God who created

and who loves all of creation

every nook and cranny 

becomes an encounter 

with mystery

that awaits our arrival

and meets us in our wondering

(Liz Crumlish)

Living with miracles

 Isaiah 64:1-2

O that you would tear open the heavens and come down,

so that the mountains would quake at your presence—

as when fire kindles brushwood

and the fire causes water to boil—

to make your name known to your adversaries,

so that the nations might tremble at your presence!

The prophet’s wish was fulfilled

The heavens were torn open

God came to earth

And we contemplate, this Advent

what difference that makes.

And, unless we are prepared

to live in a world filled with miracles

we will continue 

only to see the ordinary

while God at large

moves among us

inviting us to be awe-struck by beauty

even and especially 

in all that is tired and broken

in the world.

May we live our Advent wishes

(Liz Crumlish 2023)

Lord, let our eyes be opened

 

Matthew 20:32-33

Jesus stood still and called them, saying, “What do you want me to do for you?” They said to him, “Lord, let our eyes be opened.”

You make no assumptions, Lord

You ask us what we want

“What do you want me to do for you?”

And, mostly, we don’t know

in our distraction and indecision

We could do worse than ask

“Lord, let our eyes be opened”

Let our eyes be opened

to where you are at work in the world

Let our eyes be opened

to your invitation to work alongside you

Let our eyes be opened 

to the small things that make a difference

Let our eyes be opened

to prayer that brings about change

Let our eyes be opened

to the ways we can be an answer to prayer

by loving those around us

by living in peace with our neighbour

by practising selfless acts of love

Lord, let our eyes be opened today

(Liz Crumlish December 2023)

Not so with you…

 

Matthew 20:24-28

When the ten heard it, they were angry with the two brothers. 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.”

Not so with you…

Modelling power that shows up as vulnerability

and courage in the face of all that is uncertain

Not so with you…

Modelling power that shows up as grief

and walks alongside the broken hearted

Not so with you…

Modelling power that shows up as healing

in arms outstretched to cradle the wounded

Not so with you…

Modelling power that shows up as love

and tenderness that is never exhausted in serving others

Not so with you… in whom power is subverted

Not so with you…

(Liz Crumlish December 2023)