On our morning walk
sea and sky combine
in their ineffable manner
to produce
serenity
or power.
Water, still.
Golden glow
light shimmers off the sea,
A study in blues.
The shine is hint
to the divine,
always present,
sometimes glimpsed.
The shine can also be seen
In the rainbow
with the backdrop
of clouds, heavy and brooding.
The shine,
clue
to the spiritual food
present.
May the shine never wear off.
John 20: 19-31
‘Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed’. This is us – we have not seen and have believed. Prompted by John’s Gospel we should use Easter time to focus on our ‘believing’ – the ways that we live and act upon our faith. How will we do that? As today’s Gospel tells us, through the gift of the Holy Spirit and the peace that faith can bring. Then we can focus upon what we do: In what ways are our actions ‘Good News’ for others? Are our relationships marked by love? How do we bring peace to those in our lives?
Rather than be judgmental about Thomas’ lack of faith, may we be compassionate, acknowledge our own failings and acknowledge that he got it right in the end – and pray that we can too, living loving and faith-filled lives.
Good News! Heaven knows we need to hear some. Good News that would free us from rampant ego. Good News that would free us from destructive power. Good News that would free us from toxic selfishness.
The good news is that love is the answer. It cannot die. Love pours itself out, again and again.
A selfless love (agape) that liberates us from ego, power and selfishness so that instead we build community. In so doing we more closely reflect the God in whose image we are made – the God as Father, Son and Spirit who is in relationship; the God who is relationship. Love builds relationships, beginning with those most in need, those on the margins, on the outer.
Trite? Simplistic? The answer is there, in front of us the whole time but its simplicity leads to its rejection. There is no glory, no name up in lights. Selfless love is steady. It is quiet. It holds the hand of the person in trouble. It wipes the tears of the bereaved. Selfless love volunteers for the unseen yet necessary job. Selfless love is the stuff of community. So, you see, it is with us already.
This Easter may we each rise to the challenge of more fully loving and living selflessly. Our everyday world will be better for it. Good News, indeed!
Sun glistens off the water.
Shimmering.
Symbol
of all that is precious
in this scene.
Dolphins race the ferry,
so clearly
having the best time,
seemingly egged on
by the ‘oohs and ahhs’
of the humans
whom they have
spellbound.
This stretched on
for minutes
until we reached the port.
in their thisness
they part the veil
for us to glimpse,
reminding us
to be our true selves
and embrace life’s joy.
The veil lifted briefly
from my eyes and heart
as I saw and felt God
in sun, sea and skies
this morning.
The ‘sound of sheer silence’
was loud
with grandeur, beauty and hope,
as the grace of another morning
was crafted before me.
This wonder and glory
weaves and shines
around and through
each one of us
and all that is
all the time
but
we are frequently blind.
Joyful at its recognition,
grateful to have been present,
the grace lingers still.
May it impel me
until my next dose.
Cafe at morning tea.
Happily air conditioned
on a hot summer’s day
busy
with a variety of people:
Young and old
families
friends
work colleagues
tourists.
Hive of activity
…and then a sparrow
flew through!
That dark flash
breaks the commercial spell
reminding me about
what truly matters
As I scrabble
on the floor
trying to stretch tight muscles,
my dogs see this
as their cue to interact.
They come to me
smiling, wagging their tails,
which, along with guttural noises
show their pleasure
at this possibility.
As I pat them,
I am repeatedly licked on the arm
as they wiggle around
so that I get the ‘right’ spot.
Such a simple activity
greeted by such joy
is humbling.
I am not a dog owner.
I am a steward,
A caretaker
and so much richer for it.
Driven by the wind,
waves pound the shore
like clockwork.
Seabirds
wheel, swoop, and glide.
Rocky outcrop
site of water fountains
surging into the air.
The sun and clouds
collaborate to create
a glow
that highlights
the glory on display.
This wonder, this grace
isn’t for me,
it is for itself.
The grace of life
What is my response?
Appreciation and wonder?
Apathy?
Or some kind of valuation?
Death is sudden,
final,
yet my apprehension
or understanding
of my mother’s passing
seems to unfold
over time.
It has the look of a blow
but maybe
her death
is unfolding
as mysteries do.
My finite mind
can only grasp
so much.
I have held sorrow and loss
at bay
‘She was in pain’
‘It was time’
True
but not complete statements.
As another formal step
is done
I have returned to loss
yet I also realise
it is a step forward.
Where to?
A life where my mother
is a memory (or a thousand!)
I cherish and embrace all that was good
in her
and let go or forgive
her shortcomings,
as I hope others will forgive mine
in my turn.
Death unfolds…like a flower?
The whole world is a gift from God to us. That is the essence of the Incarnation that we celebrate at Christmas – not just people, but everything is ‘shot through’ with God.
As humans it is so easy to focus on ‘our own’. That expression, ‘our own’, can be drawn narrowly to refer to members of our family, maybe even favourite members of our family. The circle can widen to include those in our street, our suburb, our city, even our country. That we are each made in the image and likeness of God means that we are a child of God – and thus brothers and sisters to each other. This is a gift we constantly have but need to be reminded of; when better to be reminded than at Christmas?
’A child is born’ – this most human of images arouses great love and compassion. Yet God is already with us, always with us. God is present in each moment – a constant freshness, newness, surprise, wonder. The image of the new born baby jolts us out of complacency. What is more alive, more fresh than a new born baby?
Seeing with the eyes of a child – with wonder and awe – is a particular joy at this time of year. Everything around us is deserving of that wonder, just watch a child. It is easy for adults to become world-weary, ‘been there, done that’. Yet, with a child-like openness, the wonder floods in: leaves, rocks, sky, water, sun. All gifts from the God who loved us into life.
It is wonderful to give and receive gifts at Christmas – and it can be a tangible sign of love and affection. Even more powerfully, we are each a gift to others and ourselves. This Christmas may I truly be a gift to others in my life as well as gratefully and respectfully receive the gifts of others in my life. In so doing we each honour the giver of these person-gifts…God.
livedgospel 