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”
A reflection inspired by Psalm 19, shared with Flemington Ark People’s Pantry on 15 September 2024. Listen here. Links to further resources below.
There’s an ancient story, the oldest in the world, which many people know. It’s often associated with the people of the desert: the Martu, the Anangu, the Pitjantjatjara, the Yankunytjatjara and Ngaanyatjarra peoples, but others know it, too. It’s a long story, with dozens of different versions and a thousand twists and turns. The characters go by different names in different places, as does the story itself: but sometimes it’s called Kungkarangkalpa: the Seven Sisters. And, very, very, very, very briefly, one version goes like this: Continue reading “Psalms | The Seven Sisters”
‘Those who love and fear you lack nothing,’ sings the Psalmist. ‘God listens. God delivers. God protects.’ But we know the truth. Good people suffer. The poor are hungry. The innocent are accused. Prophets are silenced. So, is this psalm sanctimonious and full of false promises? Or is something else going on? Continue reading “Psalms | Slow reading | I called in my affliction”
‘You set a table in the presence of my enemies …’ sings the Psalmist, ‘my cup overflows.’ There are two ways to imagine this, two images of God. Continue reading “Psalms | Slow reading | In the presence of my frenemies”
Recently I read that a staggering proportion of anti-aging products are purchased by and for children. One Swedish beauty chain estimates that 20-40% of its products are bought by people under the age of 13; while parents are reporting that even nine- and ten-year-olds are begging for anti-aging cosmetics. Continue reading “Psalms | Slow reading | A ripe old age”
I was walking along the beach path when I noticed it: a vastness, bobbing like a bus doesn’t bob just below the breakers. It was a koontapool, or southern right whale, come to the birthing grounds just off the coast at Warrnambool. Continue reading “Psalms | Slow reading | Koontapool, God’s delight”
Why did God wait hundreds of years to free Israel? And why weren’t my urgent prayers answered? If Jesus was God incarnate why did he cry out in forsakenness? Wasn’t God with him on the cross? In fact, wasn’t it God on the cross What does it mean for us to be made in God’s image and filled with God’s breath? Is this God’s presence within us and among us? In times of suffering, is the divine spark all we ever get?
Continue reading “Psalms | Slow reading | At dawn I plead”
I am captivated by how often Biblical wisdom is grounded in things of the earth. ‘Consider the birds,’ says Jesus. ‘Consider the wildflowers, how they neither toil nor spin.’ Pay attention to growing things, and you might learn something. Continue reading “1 Kings | Slow reading | Speak of trees and herbs”
He went away grieving, for he had many possessions. (Mark 10:22)
A man asks Jesus how to inherit fullness of life; when Jesus tells him, the man goes away grieving. It’s one of the saddest phrases in the gospel. The man doesn’t have to walk away from Jesus and his disciples, nor does he need to grieve. Yet that is what he chooses, and Jesus is so committed to his freedom that he lets him walk away. Continue reading “Mark | Slow reading | He went away grieving”
Bless the Lord, ice and cold … (Canticle of Daniel)
We’ve just marked the winter solstice and, rather fittingly, we’ve had heavy rain, pounding hail, and a bitterly cold wind which cuts to the bone; and also rumours of koontapool (southern right whales) returning to the bay. So this week, you are invited to dwell in a song of praise which calls on rain, wind, frost, cold and even whales to bless the Lord. Continue reading “Canticle of Daniel | Slow reading | Bless the Lord, ice and cold”
