Forget the honour

Haiku for disciples

Teacher, will you do
for us whatever we ask?
What is it you want?

Brothers James and John
didn’t get it; asked Jesus
for seats of honour.

In glory may we
sit with you, at your right hand,
and one at your left?

You are asking much,
and you do not understand:
can you drink my cup?

And my baptism;
are you able to share it?
Yes, we are able.

You answer quickly!
In time you will share these hings
and my suffering.

The others saw red!
James and john had gone too far.
Jesus called them in.

Forget the honour,
That’s not the name of this game!
It’s about serving!

Others crave power,
you are not to be like them.;
you must be like me.

 

© Ken Rookes 2018

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One thing is lacking

Haiku for those who struggle to let go.

Running to Jesus,
he knelt: For life eternal,
tell me what to do?

Jesus answered him;
You should know what God commands;
do these things and live.

Teacher, since my youth
I have kept the laws of God.
Jesus looked with love.

One thing is lacking:
Go, sell what you own, and give
it all to the poor.

Then come, follow me,
your wealth will be in heaven;
you will know true life.

The man was dismayed;
his possessions were many,
he could not let go.

How hard it will be
for the wealthy to enter
the kingdom of God..

Camels will pass through
a needle’s eye easier.
The rich will struggle.

Who then can be saved?
Mortals cannot achieve it,
God makes it happen.

You who have left home
to tread the kingdom’s pathways
will be rewarded.

 

© Ken Rookes 2018

They brought their children

Haiku of blessing

They came to test him,
the Pharisees, loving law;
What about divorce?

For your heart’s hardness,
Moses permitted divorce.
Human brokenness.

Two becoming one:
a generous unity
and image of love

They brought their children
to be embraced by Jesus,
seeking his blessing.

The twelve gatekeepers,
also known as disciples,
spoke sternly to them.

Let them come to me,
said Jesus indignantly,
and do not stop them.

To children like these
the kingdom of God belongs;
enter like a child.

He took the children
into his arms, blessing them,
declaring God’s love.

 

© Ken Rookes 2018

On Nauru

On Nauru

Linocut 12 x 21 cm

I produced this to use on a poster for a rally calling for all the children and their families to be freed from detention on Nauru

In my name

Haiku of inclusion

Dividing the world
according to our judgements,
into us and them.

They watched him cast out
demons. Not part of their group!
They tried to stop him.

Jesus said, Let be!
Who does such things in my name
cannot malign me.

Someone not opposed
to the things I do or say
must be on our side.

A cup of water
given in the name of Christ
will be rewarded.

Take good care of them,
the little ones who believe,
that they may grow strong.

Do not be tempted.
Whatever makes you stumble,
best to discard it.

Salt should be salty,
adding flavour to living;
be salt for others.

 

© Ken Rookes 2018

Who will be the greatest?

Haiku for the competitive

Speaking quietly
Jesus taught his disciples
the things that must be.

Of the Son of Man
he spoke, about betrayal,
and untimely death.

It won’t be the end.
After three days he will rise.
They don’t understand.

They were arguing:
which of us is the greatest?
He made them ashamed.

Would you be the first?
Then you must become the last,
serving your comrades.

He placed a small child
in the middle of the group;
took it in his arms.

Welcoming children
is the thing you are to do;
so you welcome me.

When you welcome me
you welcome God; and take part
in God’s own being.

 

© Ken Rookes 2018

The big question

Haiku for disciples

It’s the big question:
Who do people say I am?
Have to think on that.

A prophet, for sure;
just like John the Baptiser,
even Elijah!

But what about you,
you who journey beside me
you who know me well?

Breaking the silence
Peter, fisherman, spoke up:
You must be the Christ!

Perhaps I am he,
but do not speak of these things;
they won’t understand.

He began to teach:
The Son of Man will suffer
and he will be killed.

Once more to Peter:
Please don’t talk like that, he said;
This cannot be true.

It is true for me,
and it will be true for you,
if you follow me.

To gain the whole world
is not the same as true life;
to gain, you must lose.

Be my followers.
Take up your cross, just like me,
and take on the world!

 

© Ken Rookes 2018