Tag: presence

Job | On suffering and shimmering joy

Suffering is indiscriminate, but then again, so is joy. (Listen here).

There is a story in the gospel according to John which begins like this: Jesus was walking along when he saw a man who had been blind from birth. His disciples asked him, ‘Teacher, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?’ These days, we’re not quite so quick to blame people for being differently abled or ill. And yet when my mother, Ruth, had multiple sclerosis, I lost count of the number of people who became frustrated, even angry, with her.

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Samuel | Joining the sacred dance

The dance of the liturgy heals and transforms us: but to receive its gifts, we must participate. Listen here.

One of my happiest childhood memories were church barn dances. Once or twice a year on a Saturday night, we’d gather in the hall with a dance caller and bush band, and off we’d go with a do-se-do and twirl your partner! People of all ages skipped and galloped, wove and spun, stumbling and laughing and moving down the reel.

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John | God’s dwelling place

A reflection given to Canterbury Baptist Church on 7 July 2024. This congregation is facing a move, as their property is about to undergo a major redevelopment. And while there will be much to gain (don’t even mention the toilets), there will also be a great deal of loss. Given all this, I reflected on the theme of God’s dwelling place. Listen here.

Where does God live? What does God’s house look like? Does God live at church? These are big questions often asked by small people, but I wish more big people would ask them. Because I reckon many big people haven’t really worked out the answers, even though the questions have been floating around for thousands of years.

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All Saints | The god of the living

Jesus says, “As for the resurrection of the dead, haven’t you read what was said to you by God, “I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob”? He is God not of the dead, but of the living.” (Matthew 22:31-32)

The night Great-Aunty Pete died, she came to my mother in a dream and said goodbye. After Lindsay died, he appeared in my kitchen while I was cooking dinner. In life, he was intellectually and emotionally limited; when I saw him after death, he was wise and mature and laughing. It was the same old Lindsay, only transformed: and he radiated reassurance into the room. I know some of you have similar stories, where the dead have presented themselves to the living and shared love and encouragement. Continue reading “All Saints | The god of the living” →

Like fire

It was like fire. The hospital had called and told us to get over there quick. My mother had had a relapse, and there was nothing to be done. She wouldn’t last the day. When we got there, we were put into a small ugly room with scuffed grey lino and buzzing fluoros. There wasn’t enough room for a chair each, so we stood around awkwardly or sat on the floor. An oxygen mask hissed and various monitors beeped, and Mum was distressingly awake and gasping for breath. Continue reading “Like fire” →

Genesis | The god of betwixt and between

God meets us in liminal spaces, when all our defences are down. (Listen.)

I think we can all agree: Sanctuary is at a threshold. Many will affirm that we have indeed lived into our name and created a sanctuary for hurting, wounded, tender things. Many will also affirm they have sensed the holy spirit moving in this place, and have experienced healing and renewal. But somehow, it isn’t enough. Continue reading “Genesis | The god of betwixt and between” →

Acts | And they were all together in one place

We here at Sanctuary used to gather regularly in one place. So what happened? And what comes next? (Listen.)

Today is Pentecost, and so I’d love to talk about the intoxication of the spirit, or how her life-giving breath is poured into the world, giving inspiration, imagery and language to share good news with wildly diverse people. Or I’d love to talk about the theatre of flames, how people’s heads and hearts were set on fire, and how this led them to extend themselves for the sake and love of others. Or I could mention that Pentecost is a Jewish first fruits festival, celebrating the gift of the law, the making of a nation, and the harvest to come, and how the gift of the Spirit at Pentecost led to the formation of the church and a new harvest. But I am brought to a standstill by the words, ‘And they were all together in one place.’ Continue reading “Acts | And they were all together in one place” →

Luke | He walked ahead

He walked ahead as if he were going on. (Luke 24:28)

These words seem innocuous, deep in the story of the road to Emmaus. But pay attention, and they rocket off the page. Two disciples are walking away from Jerusalem when a stranger joins them on the road. The storyteller lets us know that it’s the resurrected Jesus, but the disciples don’t realize it yet. It’s only after they have ‘strongly urged him’ to stay with them that he turns back, comes inside and shares bread with them, and they recognize the Risen Christ. Continue reading “Luke | He walked ahead” →

Luke | Slow reading | Zacchaeus: Negotiating crowds, making choices

Luke’s gospel tells us that Zacchaeus is a man of short stature; he cannot see Jesus because of the crowd. He is also limited by Roman rule, by social expectations, and by other people’s judgements. Yet he is so desperate to see Jesus for himself that he risks his dignity, climbing a sycamore tree in flapping robes to place himself in Jesus’ path. The next thing he knows, Christ is in his dwelling and at his table. Zacchaeus is so moved that he responds, unprompted, with generosity, justice and joy. Continue reading “Luke | Slow reading | Zacchaeus: Negotiating crowds, making choices” →

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