Word in the Hand

Gospel of Mark 1:14-20 After John had been arrested, Jesus went into Galilee. There he proclaimed the Good News from God. ‘The time has come’ he said ‘and the kingdom of God is close at hand. Repent, and believe the Good News.’ As he was walking along by the Sea of Galilee he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net in the lake – for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, ‘Follow me and I will make you into fishers of men.’ And at once they left their nets and followed him. Going on a little further, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John; they too were in their boat, mending their nets. He called them at once and, leaving their father Zebedee in the boat with the men he employed, they went after him . Jesus follows his traces from the desert to find the spring rains have filled the Jordan to overflowing, birds and animals are gathered along her banks, dancing in territorial skirmishes and shrieking in mating rituals. The rhythm of w...

Gospel Luke 2:15-20 House shrine Assisi When the angels had gone from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let us go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened which the Lord has made known to us.’ So they hurried away and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger. When they saw the child they repeated what they had been told about him, and everyone who heard it was astonished at what the shepherds had to say. As for Mary, she treasured all these things and pondered them in her heart. And the shepherds went back glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen; it was exactly as they had been told. It may be a surprise to learn that the word ‘hospitality’ doesn’t mean what we think it means –like many words it has lost something in translation and in tradition.   These days we imagine that it means having friends and loved ones around the table. To be generous to those we love; to celebrate togetherness. As hope...

Another back story The shadows are  where you are safest. These long nights at the turning of the solstice are a boon to me. From the shadows of the inner wall I watched with measured breath as the soldiers set their weight to the city doors, silencing the rasping hum of the desert winds. I waited as one man flexed the muscles in his chest and biceps, a preening gladiator, whilst the other picked up the longspears and held one arms length, a javelin against the other's chest. Words were spoken, rumbling laughter, then they strolled off with the rolling gait of the weary, arms circling their helmets like baskets of bread or fruit. Guards with their guard down, for there was no-one left on the midnight streets of Bethlehem.  To that, even I would agree. It has occurred to me before now that 'No-one' is a very fitting name. The curse of a misbegotten body has refused my humanity. Beggar, homeless, unclean, it is all very much the same. No-one that matters.  And so I l...

O Antiphon - O Clavis  "O Key of David, O royal Power of Israel controlling at your will the gate of heaven: come, break down the prison walls of death for those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death." O Come, O Clavis and free your people Locked in the darkness of doubt of fear Trapped in boxes of control of ego Walled in the tombs of resentment of 'if only' Behind shadow doors of left alone of exclusion Waiting  O Clavis O Come wordinthehand2013

O, Jesse - O, Liberator "O flower of Jesse's stem,                     you have been raised up as a sign for all peoples; kings stand silent in your presence; the nations bow down in worship before you.  Come, let nothing keep you from coming to our aid." O, Jesse From the silent deep  of beginning Earth's enveloping w omb Breaking free, u nwinding  spiralling  Roots clasping rock Light seeking Light  Breaking free Earth and air  Drinking  water of life Breaking free Branch and twig Leaf and bud Sun flowering Moon ripening  Star bursting  The harvest is sown  with a single seed O, Jesse O,Come wordinthehand2013

O Adonai - O Lord "O Sacred Lord of ancient Israel, who showed yourself to Moses in the burning bush, who gave him the holy law on Sinai mountain: come, stretch out your mighty hand to set us free." O, Come  O, Adonai Creating God Revealing God Sending God Leading God Guiding God Calling God Whispering God Silent God O, Ancient Surrounding God Saving God Shielding God Freeing God  O, Sacred Whose word is Law Whose Law is Love Whose servant am I O Adonai O, Come. wordinthehand2013

O Wisdom,  flowing from the mouth of the Most High;  reaching far and wide,  disposing of all things sweetly and mightily.  Come teach us the way of prudence. Sofia,  beautiful -  skin deep;  heart deep; blood deep; gut deep. The  beauty of a crone; shining wisdom;  flowing compassion; crafting prudence. Sofia, midwife of hope; knowing beyond; seeing within.  Tasting the humours on her tongue;  ferric blood; salty tears. Sofia,  counting the quickening in her heartbeat; Holding the moon in her embrace; Calling Hope in her song. O, Come...O, Come. wordinthehand2013