Reflections from the belly
We all know that Jesus says, ‘Love your neighbour.’ Perhaps you’re less aware that he is quoting a much-maligned book of the Bible. Leviticus sets out how to live as God’s distinctively holy people. As such, it touches on every area of life: worship, food, sex, agriculture, economics, and much more.
Continue reading “Leviticus | Slow reading | Love your neighbour”
Taxes might not be anyone’s favourite subject, but Jesus invites us to think beyond what we owe. (Listen here.)
Nothing in this world is certain except, they say, death and taxes. And, of the two, some of us seem to hate taxes more.
Continue reading “Matthew | Death and taxes”
Happiness is fleeting and contextual. But even in the depths of anguish, we can know joy. (Listen here.)
Someone called me the other day. They were a bit bothered, they said, because I don’t always look happy. Indeed.
Continue reading “Philippians | Joy in the rain”
What if the Ten Commandments aren’t actually rules, but simply indicators of a life grounded in God? (Listen here.)
Sadly, it’s true: I’m one of those perverse people who can’t stand being told what to do. If you tell me to do something, then because I’ve learned a modicum of politeness I’ll grit my teeth and nod, and because for decades now I’ve been training myself to slow down and actually listen, I might even do it. But underneath my blood will be boiling and I’ll be longing to do the exact opposite.
Continue reading “Exodus | Ten ‘commandments’? No, ten signs of life”
Even in the wilderness, God provides – with a nod to Wendell Berry. (Listen here.)
What a time we’re having. Our beloved friend and organist has suddenly and unexpectedly died; our dynamic placement minister has suddenly and unexpectedly resigned. We’ve had too many funerals and too few baptisms; too many leavings and too few celebrations; things are falling apart. I think it’s fair to say, many of us feel like we’re in some sort of wilderness.
Continue reading “Exodus | What we need is here”
Forgiveness as a way of life. (Listen here.)
A couple of weeks ago, Dolly Parton died; the world is in mourning. One little story helps illustrate why. Her singing career kicked off in 1967, when she was invited onto The Porter Wagoner Show. Back then, Porter was the star and Dolly was the sidekick, and when Dolly sang solos she was booed. So Porter asked her to sing duets with him, instead, because people wouldn’t boo while he (the star) was singing. As they sang together, Dolly gained in confidence and stage presence and began writing songs. Gradually, she became the star.
Continue reading “Matthew | Saint Dolly & the art of forgiveness”
The God of freedom calls us to shape the future through our collective choices. (Listen here.)
The people were far from home. They had been enslaved, and their baby boys were being taken and killed. They were being spoken of in brutal, animal terms. The overseers cracked their whips. The king demanded ever-increasing workloads and allowed no time for rest. The people wept and cried and prayed for mercy while wondering, could anything possibly change?
Continue reading “Exodus | The god of freedom”
A brief homily given at a recent funeral, for one who loved gardens.
Jim loved gardens. He loved plants, and compost, and growing things. He loved his veggie patch, he loved the wild garden alongside the river, and he loved Wombat Bend. He loved Redgum Café, I suspect not only because it was part of this church, but because of the magnificent redgum which gives it its name.
Continue reading “Funeral | ‘You will be with me in the garden’”
Opening scene: Caesarea Philippi. (Listen here.)
Welcome, welcome to our wonderful city! This beautiful shrine is to the shepherd god, Pan. The guardian of the flocks, as you know, he’s always one for the ladies. Fellas, lock up your daughters! Pan doesn’t always do consent; we wouldn’t want a ‘situation’ now, would we, not like those Sydney Swans?
Continue reading “Matthew | Some keys to the kingdom”
A pragmatic reading for whitefellas. (Listen here.)
‘I’m from one of the oldest families,’ he said. ‘We’ve been here since the beginning.’ And with that he effectively erased 60,000 years of continuous living culture, just as his Irish ancestors had tried to erase the people from the land. He’s a lovely guy, straightforward and well-meaning, and totally oblivious to what he had just done.
Continue reading “Matthew | Decolonising Joshua”
