Author Archives: wonderingpilgrim

It’s the last day of the year that everyone wants to forget, looking with rationally unsubstantiated optimism to 2021. But anxious questions linger. Will the vaccine work? Will the economy recover? Will the populations of new unemployed survive? What is the final but still evolving shape of the “new normal?” It is also the seventhContinue reading “Seventh Day Musings”

This is a sermon requested by a church following the collapse of a rent-for-life scheme that targeted senior citizens, mostly in Western Australia. A public eighteen month long campaign for redress continues. As participants in this struggle, Jenny and I shared these reflections today at the Mount Hawthorn Community Church. It is but one ofContinue reading “A Christmas reflection on a Senior Housing Crisis”

Matthew 16:13-20 goes bush Fishing, sinking, flailing, drowningBlustering, flustering, arguing, clowningSometimes trusting, oft with a lurch – On this rock Christ builds his church. Setting out with Christ to walk his wayRecognising that our faith can sway,Devoted to grow and serve and search –On this rock Christ builds his church. Some keys and a roosterContinue reading “Rocky Road”

Matthew 15:21-28 She came asking for help, I don’t know whyshe thought the Boss would turn and meekly complyHe needed a break, so we had come far awayTo this place we could hide and have some rest and some play. She shouted and clamoured and broke through our line.We’re not really bodyguards and she refusedContinue reading “She came asking…”

a refection on the Feeding of the Multitudes in Matthew 14:13-21 The people are hungry; the people are sickSend them away, the numbers are thickThey’ve followed you here, its all their faultSomething’s got to give, let’s call it a halt. “Feed them yourselves, you know the wayNo need to shirk and send them awayYou’ve beenContinue reading “Economy of abundance”

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 pastTaught by our parents, oh what a blast!Oh what agony, Oh what blissAsContinue reading “Riddle me”

A meditation on the Parable of the Weeds among the Wheat There are rotten folk among us while we are trying to do goodWhile 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 counselsContinue reading “Let it Be”

A reflection on the Sower Parable in Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23 “Words are trucks full of meaning,” he said.Sent out from the source of our head.The import bestowed on those so endowedWith hearing determines their spread. A reach to the heart is what’s neededAnd life throws out much to impede it.Words and deeds go to waste,Continue reading “Wasted Words?”

My experimental “bush poetry”approach to the lectionary has elicited a mixed reaction. Some love it; others plead with me not to give up my day job (but I’m retired!) Anyhow, here’s a go at the Gospel for this Sunday, which is: Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30‘But to what will I compare this generation? It is like childrenContinue reading “But John held up a mirror…”