In the beginning

Haiku of creation

In the beginning.
Top marks for the opening,
you bible writers!

The earth was formless
until the wind from God swept
across the waters.

God spoke and light came,
sun and moon, day and night: thus
happened the first day.

Creation’s story
follows an orderly path:
land, plants, animals.

Birds traverse the sky
and fish occupy the sea;
God saw it was good.

Cattle and crawlies,
wild animals find a home
amidst the earth’s dust.

God’s pleased with the work
so far; completes creation
sculpting humankind.

They will be like us,
God decides; we will put them
in charge of it all.

What were you thinking,
God, entrusting the planet
to such flawed creatures?

Go and lie down, God,
you’ve earned a rest. And reflect
upon what you’ve done.

© Ken Rookes 2023

Trinity Sunday, Year A, Revised Common Lectionary. I am focusing on Genesis chapter 1, the story of creation. For gospel passages, look in the archives for May and June 2020, 2017 and 2014. For 2020 click here.

Roaring wind sound

Haiku of wind and fire

On Pentecost Day
they were gathered in one place,
waiting and praying.

A roaring wind sound
filled the house, shaking them all
to their foundations.

Tongues of holy fire
dance through the air; alighting,
warming hearts and minds.

The Spirit arrives
to ignite love’s fire, bringing
tongues of ecstacy.

Spilling noisily
outside, diverse languages
commanding a crowd.

Folk from all nations
are puzzled, hearing the speech
in their own language.

We’re not drunk! Peter
counters. Rather God’s Spirit
has come upon us.

As Joel, the prophet,
spoke, God pours out God’s Spirit
on all humankind.

Men, women, young, old,
slave, free; the Spirit has come.
The Day has arrived!

These tongues are a sign,
one among many. Be saved:
call upon God’s name!

© Ken Rookes 2023

Pentecost, Year A, Revised Common Lectionary. I am focusing on the Acts of the Apostles chapter 2, the day of Pentecost. For gospel passages, look in the archives for May and June 2020, 2017 and 2014. For 2020 click here.

Lifted

Haiku of departure

On Mt Olivet
they gather, as instructed,
to farewell their Lord.

He could not remain.
At least in body. Risen,
Lord Jesus departs.

First his commission:
When the Spirit comes, you must
be my witnesses.

And so he ascends,
departing earth’s dust, hidden
within a low cloud

Two glowing angels
conveniently appear
to seal the event.

In Jerusalem
the group reconvenes
in the upstairs room.

With the apostles,
some women, his brothers, mum;
waiting and praying.

© Ken Rookes 2023

Sixth Sunday in Easter Year A, Revised Common Lectionary. I am focusing on the Acts of the Apostles chapter 1, the ascension; For gospel passages, look in the archives for May 2020, 2017 and 2014. For 2020 click here.

In the Areopagus

Haiku of witness

He engaged with them
in the Areopagus;
the apostle Paul.

Paul was most clever,
taking time to understand
Athenian thought.

People of Athens,
I see you are religious;
signs are ev’rywhere.

Objects of worship
abound; even an altar:
To an unknown God.

I am a servant
of your unknown God; let me
tell you of this God.

This God made all things
ruling heaven and earth; God
has no need of shrines.

God gives life to all,
asking only that they seek
God out. God is near.

In God we live, move,
exist. As your poet said:
We are God’s offspring.

A God not fashioned
from human hands, of silver
gold or stone. God lives!

Human ignorance
is no longer an excuse;
repent, come to God!

Judgement is coming
through the man whom God has sent;
God raised him from death.

Ken Rookes 2023

Fifth Sunday in Easter Year A, Revised Common Lectionary. I am focusing on the Acts of the Apostles chapter 17, Paul preaches in Athens; For gospel passages, look in the archives for April and May 2020, 2017 and 2014. For 2020 click here.

New Holland Honeyeater

A beautiful little native Australian bird that nests in my garden in Bendigo.

Linocut. Printed and posted for Print Day in May

Flee!

Automaton

On view at Sacred Edge Festival, Queenscliff.

Until they listen

Automaton

Thanks, Mr Edvard Munch

On view from Saturday at the Sacred Edge Festival, Queenscliff, along with the Automaton, Flee! Make sure you turn the crank!

Stephen

Haiku for a faithful witness

Not one of the twelve,
but most powerfully kissed
by Holy Spirit.

He had angered them
with his account of God’s plan,
fulfilled in Jesus.

A final vision
of God’s glory, with Jesus
there, at God’s right hand.

Ah, such recklessness!
Could have kept it to himself,
instead he spoke up.

Greatly offended,
they dragged him beyond the walls
let fly with the rocks.

The mob dealt with him,
leaving their cloaks in the care
of the youthful Saul.

Receive my spirit!
brave Stephen cried as he died.
And forgive them, Lord.

Gentle man of faith,
Stephen follows his master,
living out his words.

© Ken Rookes 2023

Fifth Sunday in Easter Year A, Revised Common Lectionary. I am focusing on the Acts of the Apostles chapter 7, the martyrdom of Stephen; For gospel passages, look in the archives for April and May 2020, 2017 and 2014. For 2020 click here.

The first believers

The first believers
Haiku for lefties

The first believers
living for fellowship, prayer,
the breaking of bread.

The signs were many,
the wonders, too. Apostles
doing Jesus’ work.

Awe rested on them.
With no thought for tomorrow
they shared all they had.

Selling possessions
and worldly goods, the proceeds
shared with the needy.

Praying together
in the temple, breaking bread
in each other’s home.

People were impressed;
day by day new folk joined them,
put their trust in God.

So utopian,
this social experiment;
shame it didn’t last.

Ken Rookes 2023

Fourth Sunday in Easter Year A, Revised Common Lectionary. I am focusing on the Acts of the Apostles chapter 2; For gospel passages, look in the archives for April 2020, 2017 and 2014 For 2020 click here

The promise to you

Haiku for a preacher

Powerful preaching
from one touched by the Spirit;
the man called Peter,

He preaches Jesus,
given over, put to death;
raised to life once more

The assembled crowd
is deeply moved by his words;
ask, what should we do?.

He tells them “Repent!
Be baptised in Jesus’ name;
ev’ry one of you.

You’ll be forgiven
and you’ll receive the Spirit;
be joined into God.

The promise to you
and all who are far away:
Find your life in God!

© Ken Rookes 2023

Second Sunday in Easter Year A, Revised Common Lectionary. I am focusing on the Acts of the Apostles; Peters Pentecost sermon. For gospel passages, look in the archives for April 2020, 2017 and 2014 For 2020 click here