Our daily texts from Revised Common Lectionary are leading into the Season of Lent, commencing this Wednesday. Genesis 9:8-17 is the climactic postlude of the Noah story, where the ancient principle of covenant is introduced. The ark takes its place as a primary point in the Hebrew view of the “arc of the moral universe.” Continue reading “From arks to arcs”
Category Archives: Personal
Credentials
A new ambassador stands before the Prime Minister and formally hands over an introductory letter sealed with the mark of his own government. A hopeful business recruit emails her CV and academic record to a prospective employer. A starry-eyed couple meet over coffee, swapping life stories in an effort to test the polarities of magnetism between themContinue reading “Credentials”
Dreaming with Daniel
Daniel – press-ganged into public service for the all-powerful empire. What were his night dreams following days of soul-eating acts of policy development, implementation and administration? We get a glimpse when reading Daniel 7:9-14. I remember the years of ministry amongst public servants of all ranks and the agonising torment that some endured as they sought to expressContinue reading “Dreaming with Daniel”
Einstein, Elijah, Moses and Jesus
“The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.” Dr Martin Luther King I was intrigued to hear this favourite quote linked, in a recent conversation, with Einstein’s theory of relativity and its application to satellite navigation that depends on differences in relative space and time calculations for accuracy. As IContinue reading “Einstein, Elijah, Moses and Jesus”
Relinqishment and Succession
As my church and I move into the twilight zone of relinquishment of a two-decade ministry and preparation for a yet unknown successor, the story of Elijah passing his mantle on to Elishah is instructive. Change of leadership simultaneously raises levels of anxiety and hope. Succession must be carefully managed. I am no Elijah and, asContinue reading “Relinqishment and Succession”
The still small voice
In a world that shouts and clamours to be noticed, we struggle to hear clearly a still small voice, a whisper, scarcely a breath, that carries the wisdom of the cosmos and that is our more sure guide … 1 Kings 19:9-18
All things to all people – look for the motive!
“I have become all things to all people” – this phrase speaks of election campaigns! Suddenly politicians, normally hiding from public view, enter the catwalk, glad-handing everywhere. Previous “no-go” districts in their electorates become the target of media focused sortees, where solutions are offered to longstanding unsolvable problems. In order to win the maximum number ofContinue reading “All things to all people – look for the motive!”
Tall poppy rights
Visitors to Australia are sometimes mystified by the Australian egalitarian penchant for “lopping the tall poppies,” i.e. ridiculing those who, by virtue of excellence in their field, may be at risk of showing a tendency to rise above the crowd either in attitude, eccentric behaviour or even failure to meet popular expectation. We quickly cut themContinue reading “Tall poppy rights”
Action Man Jesus?
One can feel quite exhausted following a reading of the Gospel of Mark’s account of a day in the life of Jesus – today’s text Mark1: 29-39. There is a lot packed into the day so described. It is typical of Mark’s story-telling style – rapid, clipped, urgent, sparing of detail. It gives a pictureContinue reading “Action Man Jesus?”
We think we’re in charge…
Sure we have agency for good or ill, wise or foolish. Some will think it a great idea for the Australian government to invest heavily in the military industrial complex and become one of the world’s major exporters of military equipment. As a strategy for long-term economic growth and employment, it is a winner! For thoseContinue reading “We think we’re in charge…”
Wondering Pilgrim 