Who will go for us?

Haiku for a calling.

A wondrous vision,
surprising, of God’s glory,
there, in the temple.

Isaiah sees God
high, upon God’s lofty throne,
seraphs attending.

Six wings per seraph,
two shielding face, two the feet,
and two giving flight.

The seraphs call; ‘Holy
to the Lord of hosts; the earth
fills with God’s glory!

The building shakes, filled
with incense smoke. Isaiah,
trembling, cries in fear.

Woe is me; I’m lost!
Sinfulness overwhelms me,
yet I have seen God!

A seraph flies down
with a coal from the altar,
touched it to his lips.

This has touched your lips
Your guilt is taken away,
your sin blotted out.

The Lord’s voice calls out:
Whom shall I send? He answers
Here am I; send me!

© Ken Rookes 2024

I am currently focussing on the non-gospel readings in the Revised Common Lectionary. For Trinity Sunday I am looking at the vision of Isaiah in Isaiah chapter 6 For gospel readings check the archives for May and June 2021, 2018 and 2015, (and even 2012, which is when this blog began). For 2021 click here.

Here I am

Haiku for a call

There, in the Temple
at Shiloh, boy Samuel
served under Eli.

For many years now
God has been silent. No word,
no visions, either.

Samuel, resting
in the temple, with the ark
of God, heard a voice.

Samuel! The voice
called twice. Here I am, he said,
and ran to Eli.

I did not call you,
said Eli. Lie down again.
This happened three times.

Eli realised
that ‘twas God calling the boy;
told Sam what to say.

The Lord came once more,
calling, Samuel! The boy
said, Speak, I’m list’ning..

When you’re just a kid
it must be daunting when God
calls you by your name.

© Ken Rookes 2024

I am focusing on the Old Testament, the story of God calling Samuel in 1 Samuel Ch. 3.  For poetic reflections on the Gospel for this Sunday check the archives for January  2021, 2018, and 2015. For 2021 click here.

Building a house

Haiku for a dwelling

David the monarch,
living in peace, thinks to build
a house for the Lord..

Nathan, the prophet,
agrees; goes home, has a dream
causing a rethink.

Nathan tells David,
since I set my people free,
I’ve not had a house.

Have I ever asked
Israel’s leaders to build me
a house of cedar?

You were a shepherd;
I took you from the pasture
to rule my people.

I have been with you.
Your enemies are beaten;
I’ll make your name great.

They will dwell in peace,
planted in the place that I
have appointed them.

God makes you a house
Your kingdom lasts for ever;
your throne is secured.

© Ken Rookes 2023

Fourth Sunday in Advent, Year B. In addition to my reflection on the annunciation, (above) I am focusing on the Old Testament, the story of Nathan the prophet telling David that God will make him a house in 1 Samuel chapter 7.  For poetic reflections on the Gospel for this Sunday check the archives for December 2020, 2017, and 2014. For 2020 click here.

The future glory

Haiku of splendour

Very specific;
the date of the prophecy.
Must be important

Haggai, the prophet
brings the long awaited word
of restoration.

Does anyone here
remember the great glory
that was the temple?

People, take courage,
the Lord fulfils the promise
made at your release.

My spirit is here
among you; there is no need
for any to fear.

It’s time for shaking;
heaven and earth, sea and land,
and the nations too.

The nations shall come
bringing all of their treasure
as homage to God

Creation’s glory,
all the silver, all the gold,
belongs to the Lord.

The temple’s splendour
in the past was great; it shall
be even greater.

© Ken Rookes 2022

Working through the Old Testament. For a poetic response to the Revised Common Lectionary Gospel reading for Sunday, Look in the Archives for October / November 2013, 2016 and 2019.  Click here for November 2019

Rendezvous

Haiku for an uprising

The unbroken colt
is brought, as per instructions.
Jesus mounts and rides.

Garments line the road.
The company of his friends
sing and shout praises.

The expectation
is great: The revolution
must be upon us!

Concerned for order,
Pharisees command silence.
The stones will cry out!

Weeps for the city.
Were you paying attention
you might have known peace!

Reaching the temple,
the traders are driven out.
God’s house is restored.

Not the uprising
some had hoped for. This conquest
will be won by love.

© Ken Rookes 2022

Road trip

Haiku for Pilgrims

Family road trip:
The annual pilgrimage
for the Passover.

Three days on the road:
Nazareth – Jerusalem;
and then the return.

Such a company
of family and friends; he’ll
be around, somewhere.

Twenty-four hours
before the child was missed. Back
to Jerusalem!

Aged twelve, they found him
in the temple, discussing
spiritual things.

Mightily relieved,
his parents took him to task:
Why have you done this?

Why were you searching?
I was always at home here,
in my Father’s house.

Back in Nazareth
the boy stayed out of trouble,
at least for a time.

© Ken Rookes 2021

When will this be?

Haiku of the eschaton

Up from the country,
disciples are in awe. Look
at the size of those!

See these great buildings,
said Jesus. These are nothing;
all will be made dust.

What is important;
which are the things that remain?
There is only one.

Four came to Jesus,
asking him on the quiet:
when will this happen?

Troubled times ahead!
Some will come, claim “I am he!”
Don’t be led astray.

You will hear of wars
and rumours. Mere precursors;
the end still awaits.

Conflicting nations,
famines, earthquakes; these are signs;
the birth pangs begin.

The kingdom will come
but not as you expect; won’t
be an easy birth.

© Ken Rookes 2021

My Father’s House

Angry haiku

It’s early in John,
the confrontation is there
from the beginning.

The powerful ones
who rule religion, are scared
of his freedom words.

In Jerusalem
the temple stands for order;
ancient traditions.

Through the temple’s gates
he strides, his angry vision
impels him to act.

Upsets ev’rything;
sheep, cattle, money changers.
This is not God’s house!

Show a sign, they say,
that proves your right to do this.
Will my body do?

Not yet a sign, but
one will be given: Three days,
then resurrection!

Come again, Jesus;
drive them out, those who pervert
your words with their lies.

They are many still
who choose power, not the cross;
or the costs of love.

© Ken Rookes 2021

Birth Stories

Haiku for underscoring

Luke tells his stories;
birth stories to underline
Jesus’ importance.

Righteous and devout,
Simeon had been promised
he would see the Christ.

Old man Simeon
came timely to the Temple,
led by the Spirit.

Met the family,
took the child, lifted his voice:
Let me go now, God.

You have promised me,
I have seen your salvation:
light and life for all.

This child is destined
to upset the privileged
and confront the smug.

There will be much pain.
Always there is pain when God’s
new order breaks through.

Anna, the prophet,
also very old, joins in,
to speak words of hope.

 

© Ken Rookes 2020

Portents in the skies

Haiku for the watchful

Let the walls crumble!
The temple no longer serves;
welcome the new thing!

Portents in the skies.
How we love to speculate,
what does it all mean?

Don’t be led astray.
Test their claims; do they measure
up to love’s standard?

Coming in the clouds!
Expectations have worn thin
in two millennia.

Is it really near?
Is the Son of Man coming
to end history?

These understandings
from two thousand years ago;
are we bound by them?

Everything passes.
His words remain to give life,
calling us to love.

Be watchful with love.
Be eager in your serving.
This is faithfulness.

Midnight or cockcrow
or at dawn, it matters not
if love is your guide.

© Ken Rookes 2020

Some haiku for the Narrative Lectionary, Lent 5.