Author Archives: wonderingpilgrim

I’m trying something different after decades of writing homilies guided by the Revised Common Lectionary. Two years after release from the weekly necessity to deliver, I still find myself wedded to the rhythm of the three year cycle, particularly where the Gospels are concerned. Although I am occasionally granted the opportunity to deliver a harangueContinue reading “Meet the Pub Test!”

“In the name of the Father, the Son and into the hole he goes!” Thus a seven year old evoked the blessing of the mystery of the Trinity as he buried his deceased canary. Over fifty years of church ministry, I have never been able to satisfactorily explain to Western conditioned minds the phenomenon ofContinue reading “Into the Hole He Goes!”

Glory be! Yesterday our Premier announced Stage 3 – the lifting of many restrictions on daily life due to COVID-19. Today’s media is full of celebration in anticipation of life in the city and across the state becoming almost “normal.” Physical distancing will reduce; cafes and restaurants can seat more patrons; cinemas and theatres, gymsContinue reading “Stage 3 – Worth Celebrating?”

One of Australian TV’s most “swallow me now!” moments was when the pizza “make me one with everything” gag backfired as it was told to a somewhat bemused Dalai Lama. Click here to view the excruciating moment. The journey to the depth of union, however, is at the heart of the quest for all worldContinue reading “Unity & Pizza”

Looks like I drafted this 11 months ago but never posted it! It’s strangely prescient. Soon after I wrote these words we were plunged into a collective housing and financial security crisis as victims of fraud and regulatory negligence.  With fellow survivors, we are campaigning towards the conclusion of a heroic journey marked by drama,Continue reading “The Dread of Mileposts”

There are things I heard and believed in my youth that I see quite differently from this high up the mountain on life’s journey. Take some sound bites (as often employed)) from the passage set for the fifth Sunday of Easter – John 14:1-14 – part of the monologue presented as Jesus’ final conversation withContinue reading “A deeper way of seeing!”

This week’s challenge was to respond to an invitation from Wembley Downs Uniting Church to prepare and present an online service for the fourth Sunday of Easter, typically Good Shepherd Sunday. So wrestling with PowerPoint and video-clips, plus sitting in rabbinic style while preaching into my computer, the final result can be seen by clickingContinue reading “Shepherding in COVID Times”

Random thoughts this morning take me to the many reported appearances of Jesus in risen mode in the days immediately following his crucifixion. Jerusalem, Emmaus, Galilee – suddenly manifesting in locked rooms, on open roads and at lake shore barbecues. Sometimes for a few brief minutes, other times for longer conversations. Now you see him.Continue reading “Pop-up Resurrection”

There is something soothing about grief. The process is predictable. We rage. We deny. We bargain. We weep. We eventually accept. Rumours of resurrection are – inconvenient!