Wondering Pilgrim

Lectionary Haiku 13 April 2022

Wednesday of Holy Week

The contradiction of finding the fullness of life in the midst of suffering – an ever-present and universal challenge – is present in today’s texts

Isaiah 50:4-9a

Teachable moments
I give forth yet am struck down
It’s the way onward

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Psalm 70

Lord, deliver us
For you, we are sore oppressed
Quick – no more delays!

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Hebrews 12:1-3

The great stadium
In which we run for the prize
Heroes cheer us on.

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The Last Supper; The last supper with Christ sitting in the center embracing John by Marcantonio Raimondi is licensed under CC-CC0 1.0

John 13:21-32

Most intimate meal
Bread broken in great sorrow
Betrayer departs

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Lectionary Haiku 12 April 2022

Tuesday of Holy Week

The tension builds

Isaiah 49:1-7

Destiny draws near
Planted deep within the womb
Birthing hope and light

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Psalm 71:1-14

In desperation
We look to You for rescue
Make haste to help us

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1 Corinthians 1:18-31

Folly of the cross
Your foolishness is wiser
Than our deep wisdom

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John 12:20-36

Enquiring Greeks here –
The beginning will soon end
And completion come

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Lectionary Haiku 11 April 2022

Monday of Holy Week

We are in Holy Week with extra readings. All focus on the Passion of the Christ in the days leading to his crucifixion.

Isaiah 42:1-9

Spirit upon him
for justice to all nations
Subtle strength displayed

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Psalm 36:5-11

Abundance abounds
How precious your steadfast love
Adequate for all

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Hebrews 9:11-15

Christ’s new sacrifice
The gift that keeps on giving
The New Covenant

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John 12:1-11

Storm clouds gather
Over the perfume of love
And outraged sorrow

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Lectionary Haiku 10 April 2022

Palm Sunday

So begins Holy Week, not with the rigours of trials and oppression, but a celebratory procession.

Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29

Let Israel declare
His love endures forever
And it is steadfast!

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Luke 19:28-40

Make them stop that noise
You try and muffle their mouths
The stones would cry out

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Lectionary Haiku 9 April 2022

Once again the significance of the Passover commemoration in both the Hebrew and Christian traditions is to the fore, particularly as we approach Holy Week.

Psalm 31:9-16

Trapped within myself
Imprisoned in my despair
Passover release!

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Leviticus 23:1-8

Boundary well set
The rite shall be well observed
and freedom cherished.

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Luke 22:1-13

The storm clouds gather
Behold betrayal at hand!
A new Passover.

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Lectionary Haiku 8 April 2022

Disoriented as we often become in the midst of suffering, the texts are clear: the Divine is unavoidably involved as a God who suffers with us.

Psalm 31:9-16

Suffering our lot
Divine image that we are
It’s to God we reach

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Isaiah 54:9-10

Seismic shifts of earth
Shall not destroy the promise
My Love does not fail.

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Hebrews 2:10-18

Incarnation
God in flesh just as we are
so we fully live

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Lectionary Haiku 7 April 2022

When one ponders what is sometimes called the “redemptive nature of suffering,” questions inevitably arise. These must be wrestled with, as no glib answer will satisfy.

Psalm 31:9-16

From dread and rank scorn
My bones melt; my spirit fades
But my trust stays strong.

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Isaiah 53:10-12

The suff’ring servant
Who bears the wrongs of many
Is to be praised well.

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Hebrews 2:1-9

It is an odd grace
that one man should suffer so
that many might live

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Lectionary Haiku 6 April 2022

Prophets speak truth from deep connection. They are forth-tellers rather than foretellers. They speak clarity into confusing times. Look for it in today’s texts.

Psalm 20

Where to lay my bet?
The machinery of war
Or old proven ways?

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Habakkuk 3:2-15

Mercy in the storm
I remember all your ways
And have confidence

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Luke 18:31-34

Hard truth is hidden
From all who wish otherwise
But it still happens.

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Lectionary Haiku 5 April 2022

The temptation to wield political power in the name of service is fraught with danger for all concerned. A sobering thought as this part of the world enters the election season.

Photo by Sarwer e Kainat Welfare on Pexels.com

Psalm 20

For humble service
The LORD helps his anointed
not prideful hubris

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Judges 9:7-15

Beware the bramble
Much promise with prickly thorns
Burns up and destroys.

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1 John 2:18-2

Does love abide well?
Let less motive not deceive
though it looks so fine.

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Sanctuary – a place of security and protection. The word is from the Latin Sanctus from which we derive the meanings of sacred and holy. Ecologically we associate sanctuary with the preservation of the natural order. Humanly, the place we seek refuge from all that would distract us from our true selves and our relationship with the sacred.