Wondering Pilgrim

Lectionary Haiku 5 March 2022

The Psalmist’s assurance is for all seasons, even those most challenging and catalogued in Ecclesiastes. On our Lenten pilgrimage, we hear Jesus forecast his own season of suffering but holding out a promise of light in the darkness.

Psalm 91:1-2, 9-16

Call out in dark void
Can there be a sound response?
Voice felt and heard!

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Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

Life full of seasons
Spectrum full of good and bad
All under heaven

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John 12:27-36

My soul is troubled
Pain and hardship lies ahead
Who will bear the light?

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Lectionary Haiku 4 March 2022

The theme of Moses calling on Pharaoh to let his people go runs through today’s texts, even to Stephen’s defence. We seek similar release from that which enslaves us.

Psalm 91:1-2, 9-16

Hostility all round
Yet security is assured
We know whose we are!

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Exodus 6:1-13

Once you know His Name
And though poor of speech and deed
Pharaohs will fall down

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Acts 7:35-42

With dimmed hearts and minds
We stumble through clumsy fog
Blind to calling light.

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Lectionary Haiku 3 March 2022

The Psalm reminds us that the quest for freedom stems from an inner assuredness regardless of circumstance. The Exodus text provides a glimpse of an instance where deeper suffering accompanies the initial steps of freedom. In Acts, the first Christian martyr, Stephen, draws on Moses’ inspiration on discovering the nature of Yahweh who leads to freedom.

Psalm 91:1-2, 9-16

Led by the Most High
My foundation is assured
Inner sanctum rock!

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Exodus 5:10-23

Bureaucratic control
Seeks to keep us all in place
Spirit is stronger

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Acts 7:30-34

The slayer awaits
The saint calls on memory
of insight splendid

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(Click on underlined references to go straight to the text)

Lectionary Haiku 2/3/2022 (Ash Wednesday)

Ash Wednesday begins the fasting season of Lent, inviting pilgrimage with Jesus on the road to Good Friday (that which was described on Transfiguration Sunday as his (and our) exodus – or way out of our human dilemma). A range of texts today carries this theme of penitence and reflection on the human condition.

Joel 2:1-2, 12-17

Blow loud the trumpet
Warn of advancing danger
There is time to turn

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Isaiah 58:1-12

We like to pretend
We virtue signal goodness
Our acts betray us

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Psalm 51:1-17

What can I offer?
A broken and contrite heart
You will not despise.

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2 Corinthians 5:20b-6:10

Now is the right time
Reach out, accept your cleansing
It is freely given

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Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21

It looks so pious
The ash daubed on my forehead
What of the inside?

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Lectionary Haiku 1 March 2022

Seismic shifts take place in the long sweep of human history. Our reactions can be scornful (check out the Psalm). Or they can be open and attentive in the deepest experiences of dispossession (Ezekiel). They can see new possibilities when old taboos and barriers fall (Acts).

Psalm 35:11-28

They smugly rub hands
Calamity claims my crown
Deeper bonds hold me

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Ezekiel 1:1; 2:1

Year, month, day and place
Behold my deep dark dungeon
Yet clear is His call

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Acts 10:23b-33

Jew and Gentile rare
Meet in forbidden embrace
Dropped walls forecast change.

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Lectionary Haiku 28 February 2022

Yearning for vindication against mocking injustice burns in the Psalmist’s heart. Elaborate and precise instructions are given for constructing the portable tent of God’s presence amongst the desert wandering Israelites. A vision and a dream bring a Hebrew fisher and a Roman military commander to what promises to be a freshly enlightening meeting of mind, heart and spirit.

Psalm 35:11-28

They win me with guile
And laugh with scorn at my fall
Little do they know!

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Exodus 35:1-29

It begins with rest
Attention to skilled detail
Ensures awareness

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Acts 10:9-23a

A forbidden feast
Is now made acceptable
Brings all to table

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Lectionary Haiku 27 February 2022

Transfiguration Sunday

What a conflicted day on the church calendar! It climaxes the season of Epiphany that celebrates the full glorious manifestation of the divine in Creation and in the coming of the Christ. It heralds the imminent season of Lent, the journey of penitence to the Cross. In a greater, more ancient context it celebrates the beginning of the great hundred-day journey from the mysterious mountaintop experience where befuddled disciples are overwhelmed with a shining glimpse of the full nature of Christ to the full blast of confident birthing of the global community of faith at Pentecost. A climactic day indeed. May these texts guide us!

Exodus 34:29-35

Wisdom too precious
To be shared with unready hearts
Hidden until ripe.

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Psalm 99

Remember the Source
Keep eyes fixed on the compass
And map steady course

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2 Corinthians 3:12-4:2

In Christ is freedom
The veil that conceals has dropped
Spirit reveals all

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Luke 9:28-36, (37-43a)

At top of mountain
The future of all shines bright
Journey waits its end.

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Lectionary Haiku 26 February 2022

The escalating crisis in Ukraine cries out for a Psalm-like orientation as sovereignty demands compete. Psalm 99 does not disappoint. Moses descended the mountain bearing the perfect rule for human society, but his people had abandoned its Source before he even reached level ground. Today we feel his frustration at the futility of it all. And yet the journey is towards human completion, visible to those whose eyes are on the horizon and who therefore understand Jesus’ ecstasy before his disciples – are they bewildered or on the same page?

Psalm 99

Oligarchs stomp in
To enslave mind, heart and soul
But guess who’s in charge!

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Deuteronomy 9:15-24

Here are words that lead
To transformed life together
But you prefer chaff!

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Luke 10:21-24

Open your eyes and see
A vision bright and within
It’s there! Look and be!

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Lectionary Haiku 25 February 2022

The Psalm keeps God’s people oriented. Moses prepares his people to occupy the land, not with hubris, but humility. Then a tale of the bridging of the chasm between Jew and Gentile begins

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Psalm 99

There is a sure plan
When forgetting remembrance
Relive your story

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Deuteronomy 9:6-14

You think your laurels
Have won you this fine bounty?
‘Twas in spite of pride!

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Acts 10:1-8

Impossible rifts
Are healed by dreams and angels
And those who receive

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Lectionary Haiku 24 Feb 2022

There is a context in which remorse is expressed – either despair or confidence in having another go. Our texts today offer such confidence through the Psalm. Meanwhile, the wandering tribe of Israel pauses on the brink of occupation against hostile tribes while being reminded of the nature of their backing. Peter and John call their people back to this memory in the wake of miraculous healing.

Psalm 99

Tough love asks us much
Owning wrong yet turning right
Am I up for it?

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Deuteronomy 9:1-5

The world’s at my feet,
Do I have tickets on me?
Think again, Sonshine!

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Acts 3:11-16

Something good has happened
Not because you’re great but in spite –
God draws you in.

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