a refection on the Feeding of the Multitudes in Matthew 14:13-21

The people are hungry; the people are sick
Send them away, the numbers are thick
They’ve followed you here, its all their fault
Something’s got to give, let’s call it a halt.

“Feed them yourselves, you know the way
No need to shirk and send them away
You’ve been with me now and learned a lot
Dig down deep and share what you’ve got.”

Some bread and some fish; that’s all we can spare!
“Well, sit them all down and we’ll get them to share.
There’ll be plenty to eat and none will be empty
The fear of scarcity must bow to the economy of plenty.”

So we did what he asked and all were replete
They went home full; and they felt quite complete
The “kindom” of God had shown us anew
That the resources we have will get us all through.

(c) 2020 Dennis Ryle

a reflection on the Parables of Matthew 13

“Riddle-me riddle-me riddle-me-ree,
Perhaps you can tell what this riddle may be:
As deep as a house, as round as a cup,
And all the king’s horses can’t draw it up.”

These childhood rhymes from long years past
Taught by our parents, oh what a blast!
Oh what agony, Oh what bliss
As we struggled to answer, but only by guess!

So does the Christ with seed and yeast
Birds, fields and pearls – to say the least.
Fish, angels, fire and gnashings of teeth
All in parables for us to bequeath!

“The struggle to know is blessed,” says he
The kingdom of heaven is no mystery.
Stretch to see treasures both new and old
And recognise their value, you don’t have to be told.

Well, what is so deep? Well, what is so round?
Well, what is so strong against horses that pound?
Well, tell me the answer – stop grinning with glee
‘Tis before your eyes if you’ll but open them and see!

(c) 2020 Dennis Ryle

A meditation on the Parable of the Weeds among the Wheat

There are rotten folk among us while we are trying to do good
While we work to patch the world up, they’d prevent us if they could.
Let’s raise a holy army to rout them out with glee.
But You come and tell a story that counsels “Let it be.”

Manus, Nauru, Villawood – you’d not let us have our say?
Uluru and its Statement, surely this reflects your way?
Why should we sit and watch while injustice has its spree?
How can You sit and advise us to just let it be?

“You misunderstand the import of the way My Kindom lurks.
Yes, you labour on the land and your good deed often works.
The outcome is not yours to determine or to see.
Discernment and trust is required to let it be.”

Do not be alarmed if your labour seems in vain
Justice has a long arc that bends towards its reign
Time will bring an answer for all the world to see
The work of transformation oft includes just “Let it be!”

Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43

(c) 2020 Dennis Ryle