Category Archives: Personal

A Quick Foray into next Sunday’s RCL

I’m missing engagement with the Revised Common Lectionary. I’ve lived and breathed it the 47 years I was in formal pastoral ministry. So here’s a quick glimpse at what’s coming up this Sunday. 1 Kings 8:(1, 6, 10-11), 22-30, 41-43 A high moment in Israel’s story. Under Solomon’s reign, the first Jerusalem Temple is completed.Continue reading “A Quick Foray into next Sunday’s RCL”

A Welcoming Ragtag Band

Yesterday I listened to a Roman Catholic priest address an ecumenical but predominantly Roman Catholic gathering on Baptism and Meditation. In illustrating the practice of meditation (properly “contemplation”) as an act of creating hospitable space for us to become aware of God’s constant hospitality towards us, he described how, following his full observance of theContinue reading “A Welcoming Ragtag Band”

How will the Uniting Church hold two views on marriage?

My mind and heart have been quite exercised in recent times as members of my church tribe (Churches of Christ in Australia) respond to the change in secular marriage laws that now accommodate same-sex union. The traditional discretion allowed to officiating ministers has been effectively withdrawn where same-gender applications for marriage are concerned as ourContinue reading “How will the Uniting Church hold two views on marriage?”

Discovering old journals

Packing to move house is like an archaeological dig. Every now and again as you negotiate the “toss” and “keep” piles of stuff, you come across something that says “pause”. Today I discovered a journal I began to keep when I was considering acceptance of the call to train for ministry. It nearly went onContinue reading “Discovering old journals”

Swinging on the Vine

Somehow I felt I had to justify this sermon title for John 15:1-8 at our combined Uniting Church/Church of Christ service this morning. During the week, with ANZAC Day music playing in the background, while I exegeted the Greek text of “abiding,” my attention was drawn to jazz variations of the ubiquitous commemoration hymn, “AbideContinue reading “Swinging on the Vine”

Thomas – the beloved disciple?

Yesterday was my 43rd Thomas Sunday since ordination, meaning that I have possibly preached this many times on the account of Thomas “not believing” until he had encountered the Risen Christ himself and verified by the visibility of the “marks” of crucifixion. My understanding of this encounter has gone through a lifetime of development, moving from theContinue reading “Thomas – the beloved disciple?”

Goats, Cricket and Good Friday

Atonement Day on the ancient Hebrew calendar marked the day that two goats were brought before the community. One goat was ritually slain, the other, the scapegoat, having had the sins of the community laid on it, was set loose into the wilderness, not to knowingly be seen again. Anthropologist/theologian Renee Girard cites this as an example ofContinue reading “Goats, Cricket and Good Friday”

Footwashing – another Easter symbol

Today begins the three days of Easter. The little-heralded act of Jesus enacting his calling as a servant and washing the feet of his bemused and scandalised disciples is the act that begins the three-day drama of Easter. He said to them, ‘Do you know what I have done to you? 13You call me Teacher and Lord—andContinue reading “Footwashing – another Easter symbol”

Psalm 118 & The Easter Vigil

To my mind and heart, there is nothing like hearing the Psalms in the original Hebrew. There are many rich renditions stemming from Christian devotion, and they are particularly apt for the death and resurrection themes of the Easter vigil. The Psalms, however, are steeped deep in the Hebrew tradition and are the crucible ofContinue reading “Psalm 118 & The Easter Vigil”