Reflections from the belly
A religious scholar, a wounded traveller, a Samaritan and two sisters walk into a kitchen … (Listen here.)
Some years ago, I attended a church which held a meal after the service. As a bunch of mostly women heated soup and sliced bread and as I set the table, a seated-as-usual woman said smugly to me, ‘I’m such a Mary. I always sit and listen to Jesus.’ Quite frankly, I wanted to slap her.
Continue reading “Luke | Mary and Martha, united”
In Melbourne’s north-eastern suburbs, at a long table littered with empty wine bottles and glasses just waiting to be filled, we contemplated the wedding at Cana. It was a conversation-style service, but for those who couldn’t be there, here’s a brief reflection.
Jesus is at a wedding, the wine runs out, he turns water into wine, blah blah blah. The story and its interpretation are so familiar that it can be tempting to tune out.
Continue reading “John | Like a wedding”
‘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”
Small ghosts trail behind so many families, invisible to the naked eye or the quick hello.
Rena bustles around her son’s birthday party, passing food and welcoming guests. During a lull, we chat. ‘Did you ever think of having another child?’ I ask. ‘Oh, we did,’ she says, voice suddenly rough, ‘but he died. He was eight weeks old. He got an infection, it entered his heart, and he died.’ I place my hand on her shoulder; there are no words. Continue reading “Saints | Small ghosts, and how we remember them”
Are we open to the intoxicating power of the Holy Spirit, or are we dispiritingly sober? (Listen.)
One of my happy places is Little Creatures brewery in Geelong – or any big barnlike place which serves hot chips, a decent pint, and a place to hang out with family and friends. I also love being around a dinner table with simple food and backyard flowers, hosting people in the process of getting to know each other. I love chatting in a coffee shop, latte in hand and the hiss of an espresso machine in the background. I love sitting at my desk having Zoom drinks with friends; I love making coffees at Anglicare and swapping tall stories with clients and volunteers; I love lazing around the garden with a glass of wine or mineral water, and a cheese board, and guests. Basically, it doesn’t take much to make me happy: good food, good drink, and good conversation.
From a young age, we are encouraged to know our own mind and push our own opinion, and winning an argument is often seen as more important than loving. According to the Apostle Paul, however, “Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up. Anyone who claims to know something does not yet have the necessary knowledge; but anyone who loves God is known by God.” (1 Cor. 8:1b-3). He was writing in a context where people were making technically reasonable arguments, yet their conclusions were hurting others; and he argued that even the best theological reasoning meant nothing unless it led to love.
Continue reading “Philippians | Slow reading | Seeking the mind of Christ”
JUBILEE ASKS: Does my little beetle have God in its heart? I love my job, and when I get a text from a parent forwarding a question like this, I love it even more. Jubilee, the answer is Yes! Absolutely yes: Your little beetle has God in its heart. And its beetling walk, in fact the fullness of its beetliness, is how it praises God.
As we look to our fourth birthday and annual service of recommitment to the faith community, what exactly are we called to do and be? (Listen.)
Next week, it’s Sanctuary’s fourth birthday; and, as we do on our birthday every year, next week we will renew the congregation. Those who are willing will pledge to journey together as the body of Christ for another twelve months, and commit to some simple attitudes and practices which help knit us together. These include gathering to wrestle with life in light of the Scriptures and to pray; to eat, sing, work and play together; to practice hospitality and support the congregation; and to seek justice, reconciliation, wholeness and peace in every sphere of life. Continue reading “Committing to be together, apart”
Imagine being a hospital chaplain who cannot enter the room of a dying patient. This is the reality of coronavirus. Public health demands that patients die alone, yet patients still need people to journey with them, and to offer words of hope and comfort both to themselves and to their loved ones. Continue reading “Drawing close … from a distance”
I was delighted with our first Zoom service. So many of you participated in the liturgy, and there was such good conversation both before and afterwards. And your feedback has been strong: that many kids stuck around; that the prayers for the world showed a high level of engagement; and that the tech made some of you actually feel closer and more connected than ever. So that’s wonderful! Continue reading “Why we won’t be sharing communion via Zoom”
Alison and the whale 