Wondering Pilgrim

Lectionary Haiku 27 March 2022

Third Sunday in Lent

Against all our striving, it is possible to live from a place of renewal. This theme runs through all of today’s texts, culminating in the Bible’s favourite story – the restoration of the Prodigal Son.

Gilgal Brook by don cload is licensed under CC-BY-SA 2.0

Joshua 5:9-12

Gilgal they called it
Captive shame is rolled away
A new phase begins!

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Psalm 32

Today’s weight lifting,
Despair of soul grows lighter.
Joy is possible

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2 Corinthians 5:16-21

A new creation
The old is gone, the new come
Clear, fragrant and light

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Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32

When the Father ran
To welcome a wayward child
did he disgrace Self?

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Lectionary Haiku 26 March 2022

Recovery from lostness through remorse, distraction or dumb chance runs through today’s texts. There is always a finder!

Zeds Dead – Lost You by Chris Ray Moberg is licensed under CC-BY-NC-ND 4.0

Psalm 32

Lost in my remorse
I know where I might be found
I turn to my God

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Exodus 32:7-14

My precious gold calf
Distracts from holy calling
Yet his love persists

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Luke 15:1-10

Dumb passive lostness
Evokes much loving action
And finding is joy

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Lectionary Haiku 25 March 2022

The drive for reconciliation appears in both today’s Psalm and Paul’s appeal to the Christians in Corinth. Joshua points to the cairns of the Jordan crossing as occasions for retelling the story to coming generations.

Psalm 32

I come to myself
When I cease to hide my ways
And am known by You.

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Joshua 4:14-24

Pile of river stones
Tells a tale of a crossing
By which we are known

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2 Corinthians 5:6-15

Love of Christ urges us
Towards reconciling all
May His way compel

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Lectionary Haiku 24 March 2022

The joy of a restored and previously strained relationship is the Psalm that sets the tone for today. A solemn rite underlines Israel’s taking possession of a sacred promise while the Apostle Paul speaks of the “weight of glory” that awaits the faithful.

Psalm 32

I declare myself
To come clean is to be cleansed
Restored to my God

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Joshua 4:1-13

Like the old Red Sea
The Jordan parts and we cross
We build cairns of stone

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2 Corinthians 4:16-5:5

Groaning is our way
Anticipating glory
The Spirit will lead

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Lectionary Haiku 23 March 2022

Today’s texts reflect on hidden purposes. The Psalmist yields to divine purpose. What seems, to contemporary sensitivities, preparation for a divinely sanctioned land grab has long-range hidden purpose. Jesus’ parables speak of the hiddenness of the Kingdom of God.

Psalm 39

Your knowledge of me
Is hidden even from me
How can I not trust?

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Numbers 13:17-27

Your Godly gift to us
Fecund lands to occupy
Is there reason why?

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Luke 13:18-21

Hidden deep inside
Your purpose takes root and grows
Revealing love’s way

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Lectionary Haiku 22 March 2022

The Hebrew perspective on “law” refers to “right teaching” rather than modern jurisprudence. Understanding this gives greater access to today’s readings

Psalm 39

My tongue is silent
Until it knows worthy thoughts
Then my heart speaks

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Ezekiel 17:1-10

Eagles and vineyards
Perplexing riddles confound
The heart understands

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Romans 2:12-16

Be careful judging –
Bearer of divine wisdom
May the stranger be

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Lectionary Haiku 21 March 2022

Accessing wisdom is tricky. Acting on it is even more hazardous. It involves knowing ourselves and our tendency to deny and deflect. Today’s passages hold up a mirror, not to discourage, but correct.

Psalm 39

How fleeting my life
Like a shade, it passes by
But I would be known

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Jeremiah 11:1-17

Broken covenant
By you who think you know best
Sit back and suffer!

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Romans 2:1-11

Judging another
You will thrust forth your finger
With three pointing back!

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Lectionary Haiku 20 March 2022

Third Sunday in Lent

“Know where your true nourishment comes from!” seems to be the theme running through today’s lections.

Isaiah 55:1-9

No, not just water
but wine, milk and sweet honey
for those who know where

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Psalm 63:1-8

Soul’s sanctuary
There my strength will be renewed
Dwelling with my God!

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1 Corinthians 10:1-13

With Christ as focus
Testing moves us through failure
to emerge renewed

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Luke 13:1-9

Current news confounds
We need ask why is it so?
Do good, wait and see!

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Lectionary Haiku 19 March 2022

Today’s texts will appeal to passionate gardeners!

Psalm 63:1-8

Dry and weary land
Cries out for drenching water
Just like my parched soul

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Isaiah 5:1-7

Passion poured out on
The vineyard that would not yield
Perhaps compost it.

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Luke 6:43-45

A gardener sees
Each tree is known by its fruit
Good and bad alike

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Lectionary Haiku 18 March 2022

Apocalyptic writings are full of hidden messages for troubled times. They are written to specific communities facing specific times of duress, but with an everlasting theme – no matter how devastating your experience, there is good reason for faith to endure.

Psalm 63:1-8

I gaze on your good
No matter how I’m worn down
This act sustains me

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Daniel 12:1-4

Visions of horror
Tempered by faithful vision
Book with names written

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Photo by SHVETS production on Pexels.com

Revelation 3:1-6

Remember this well
What once you were, become still
The time is perfect!

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