Wondering Pilgrim

Lectionary Haiku 15 April 2022

Good Friday

Why is it called Good Friday? Humanity’s primaeval need for a scapegoat is satisfied and transformed by what happens on this day.

Isaiah 52:13-53:12

Girard had it right
Find willing servant victim
and make all things well

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Psalm 22

Begins forsaken
Yet fully rehearsed and said
Ends with deliv’rance

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Hebrews 10:16-25

Law inscribed on hearts
for a new and living way
Through a torn curtain

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John 18:1-19:42

Stay long if you dare
with crucifixion drama
Through it find your life.

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Lectionary Haiku 14 April 2022

Maundy Thursday

The evolution of Passover from the rescue of a captive people to an inner release and unification that is of inner and cosmic significance marks this day. It culminates in the transcendence of the power of servanthood over the power of domination.

Exodus 12:1-4, (5-10), 11-14

Dressed ready to flee
Slain lambs prepared for daubing
Doorposts to freedom

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Psalm 116:1-2, 12-19

All praise to the Lord
who loosed my prisoner’s chains
I serve Him gladly

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Pieter Brueghel the Elder (1526/1530–1569) [GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html) or CC-BY-SA-3.0-2.5-2.0-1.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)%5D, via Wikimedia Commons

1 Corinthians 11:23-26

It’s through bread and wine
That we tell the wondrous deed
Death releasing Life

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John 13:1-17, 31b-35

A basin and towel
tell the story of greatness
modelled on God’s love

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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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Photo by uff2cuff41uff52uff41 on Pexels.com

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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Photo by Tobias Bju00f8rkli on Pexels.com

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.