Wondering Pilgrim

Lectionary Haiku 10 March 2022

A new Psalm depicting confidence in Israel’s relationship with YHWH, come what may. In Genesis, We see the working out of complex relationship claims as Abraham works out the implications of covenant. In Philippians, Paul must break with his past to oppose those seeking to impose Old Law requirements on new Gentile Christians.

Psalm 27

Show me the right way
Light my path, steady my tread
That I may walk well

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Genesis 13:1-7, 14-18

House is too crowded
It is time to part our ways
Blessed be the parting.

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Philippians 3:2-12

How past rites haunt me
Fierce I must bid them depart
So we can be free

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Lectionary Haiku 9 March 2022

Why do bad things happen to good people? Surely a question being asked a lot during these excruciating times. The Psalm again gives us a faith-based launching pad. The opening chapter of Job begins a classic Judaic wisdom story. The Luke passage raises the issue of just how much agency Satan (The Accuser) has. Did the devil really make me do it? (Click on each link to see the text)

Psalm 17

Keep me focused, Lord
Too easily I slumber
Waking is on you.

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Job 1:1-22

Shock pushes a cry
Naked I was born; naked I die
But blessed be God!

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Luke 21:34-22:6

When the easy way
Betrays all that I can be
Is’t Satan or me?

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Lectionary Haiku 8 March 2022

The assurance of the Psalmist and his trust in YHWH prepares us for the exotic vision in Zechariah and the harangue in 2 Peter regarding mixed motives. Each elicits thoughtful reflection.

Psalm 17

Shadow of your wings
A hiding place from malice
I am protected

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Zechariah 3:1-10

Visions can inspire
Also confuse and frighten
Fear not, clear the way.

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2 Peter 2:4-21

What a mix we are
Rushing twixt saint and sinner
Save us in trial

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Lectionary Haiku 7 March 2022

The boldness with which David approaches YHWH reveals the depth of their relationship. Very pertinent when one considers what happens when David oversteps the mark in Chronicles. The relationship for us all finds its home in the text from John.

Psalm 17

Bold I approach God
Speaking my virtues splendid
Awaiting his Yes!

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1 Chronicles 21:1-17

Autocratic pride
distracts us from the real deal
God grabs attention!

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1 John 2:1-6

“I abide in Him”
To say such – one walks the walk
Or speaks with forked tongue.

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Lectionary Haiku 6 March 2022

First Sunday in Lent

Typically, today commemorates Jesus’ testing in the Judean wilderness at the commencement of his public ministry. He was “tested in every way as we were” which invites us to reflect on his and our humanity when under duress or discerning a straight course through a minefield of lesser callings. Deuteronomy reveals a benchmark, the memory of rescue from slavery and the blessing of a permanent home of Jesus’s Judaic tradition. Repetition of the same psalm of the last few days cements assurance of relationship in YHWH. Romans reminds us that belief resides in the heart and is based on relationship, not only intellectual assent. Luke reveals the testing of Jesus and notes how its rigour stretches beyond a particular 40 day season.

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Deuteronomy 26:1-11

Hear O loved one
Recall your way to release
And milk and honey

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Psalm 91:1-2, 9-16

Focus on him who saves
He will deliver from harm
all who live his name

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Romans 10:8b-13

Heart and lips are one
When relating and speaking
Then the world is won.

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Luke 4:1-13

How to win the world
Not by bread, power, or tricks
He will show the Way

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Why a Daily Psalm?

“A psalm implies serenity of Soul; it is the author of peace, which calms bewildering and seething thoughts. For, it softens the wrath of the soul, and what is unbridled it chastens. A psalm forms friendships, unites those separated, conciliates those at enmity. Who, indeed, can still consider as an enemy him with whom he has uttered the same prayer to God? So that psalmody, bringing about choral singing, a bond, as it were, toward unity, and joining people into a harmonious union of one choir, produces also the greatest of blessings, love.”

– St Basil the Great

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.