The Naked Alien

May The Force Be With You -

2013-05-24T06:37:00.000-05:00

Jesus:

"I've so much more that I want to tell you, but you're not ready to hear it yet. But don't worry! When Spirit comes to you, she'll be your guide in exploring the truth; for she'll be speaking her own thoughts, but will speak prophetically to you as the Spirit of God. She'll perfect you by showing you what you can not (or will not) understand now. What's of the Father is of the Son, and what's of the Son is of the Spirit. All this she'll reveal to you."

(John 16:12-15 retold)

I often say that to me the real miracle at Pentecost is not that the disciples were filled with the Spirit and spoke in tongues - it was that the Spirit flowed through the disciples for the prevening grace of those without the Spirit so that they could listen in ears! This Trinity Sunday's reading has a similar feel to me. To many, the debate about who "wrote" the Bible (dictated by God, inspired by the Spirit, etc) is irrelevant. What is important is that the Spirit of God (the Spirit of Truth, the Holy Ghost, Wisdom, Sophia, whatever name we use) guides us as we discern what God wants us to understand at any particular point in time.

Proverbial Poetry; Sophia's Voice -

2013-05-22T05:46:00.001-05:00

Doesn't Wisdom call you?

Doesn't Knowledge shout

From the highest building,

Along the busiest streets,

Knocking at all your doors?

Do you hear Sophia's cries?

"In the beginning - I was;

The first Act of Creation.

Before the Earth - I was.

Before there was the Deep, I arose;

Before there were springs, I flowed;

Before the mountains, I was raised;

Before Adam was made from red soil,

Before there was soil to be made from,

Before there were rocks to make soil,

I was there.

During the cosmic Big Bang, I had a front-row seat.

When the gas cooled into worlds, I walked on them.

When Terra was clothed with air, I soared on the wind.

While the ocean basins filled, I was already swimming.

When the moon ordered the tides, I rode the first wave.

I was there beside the Maker.

I was His Master Craftsman.

I was His ever constant joy.

I took pleasure in His plans.

I'm delighted by His people."

(Retelling of Proverbs 8:1-4, and 22-31 by Tiwago)

Psalmic Poetry; The Eighth, Opus Dei -

2013-05-20T05:44:00.000-05:00

"Yet you have made them a little lower than God?"

God, brilliant Lord,
yours is a household name.

Nursing infants gurgle choruses about you;
toddlers shout the songs
That drown out enemy talk,
and silence atheist babble.

I look up at your macro-skies, dark and enormous,
your handmade sky-jewelry,
Moon and stars mounted in their settings.
Then I look at my micro-self and wonder,
Why do you bother with us?
Why take a second look our way?

Yet we’ve so narrowly missed being gods,
bright with Eden’s dawn light.
You put us in charge of your handcrafted world,
repeated to us your Genesis-charge,
Made us lords of sheep and cattle,
even animals out in the wild,
Birds flying and fish swimming,
whales singing in the ocean deeps.

God, brilliant Lord,
your name echoes around the world.

(The Message)

Meditations:

Is "God" a household name in my home?
What is the power of children, and what can we learn from them?
Does God only care for big "important" things?
"Missed being gods" sounds like the serpent's refrain with Adam and Eve. How does this compare to the New Revised Standard Version's "Yet you have made them a little lower than God?"
Think about God's role as our Lord, and compare it to ours as "lords of Creation" - is being a lord a privilege or an obligation?

Show Us!

2013-05-17T05:31:00.000-05:00

Philip said to his Rabbi: "Show us your father, and we'll believe you!"

Jesus replied: "How long have we been together now Phil? You've seen me almost every day, and yet you still don't know me? When you look at me, you see the father - so why do you demand I show Him to you? Don't you believe that the son and the father are one? The words you hear are the father's words, not my own alone. Believe that we are one; but if you can't believe what I say, believe what I do! Truth be told, those who believe in me will not be able to do as I do... You'll be able to do even greater things! It will happen because I will reunite with my Father; just ask us in my name and I will help you.

If you love me, feed my sheep.

I will ask God to send you his spirit to be in you as it is in me. It will come to you and you will welcome it because you will recognize its voice."

(Retelling of John 14:8-17)

We All Spoke Pangean -

2013-05-15T05:18:00.000-05:00

We all spoke the Mother-Tongue, and we all thought The Thought: we would build the first City on Terra and create a mighty rocket-ship to assault Heaven! We were tired of suffering and being pushed around - it was our turn! We wanted progress.

The Lord saw our mighty projects and knew our plans for galactic dominion. He saw too our lack of diversity, and found it bad. He thought: "They have no one to tell them that their group-think is off-track. Their ability to spread evil will know no bounds." And so, He touched us...

All of a sudden we lost the Mother-Tongue! Some groups spoke one language, while other groups their own. We became afraid; were those "others" plotting against us? We fled our shining City on the plain. We abandoned our great works. We left our plans un-launched, like the rocket in its berth. We spread far and wide on the pneuma wind.

(Retelling of Genesis 11:1-9)

Acts 2:1-21; Blood Red Wine of Pentecost -

2013-05-13T05:33:00.000-05:00

There's always somebody...

A card in the crowd hears the anti-babel of the disciples speaking in tongues and sees the hearers listening in ears, and shouts: "They're filled with new wine!"

She or he gets the short term satisfaction of the crowd's snickers and guffaws, but little did they know how right they were!

The disciples came to Jesus as old wine-skins, not able to understand or hold the new wine of Jesus' teachings. His words could not grow and ferment within them. But then he bled and died - the blood red wine of the new covenant shed for their sake, and for the sake of many. They died with him. They died to the flesh of their old skins. They were reborn as new wine-skins. And when the Holy Spirit filled them with the Cana wedding wine of Pentecost, they understood. They became able to grow.

What about me? What about my congregation, my denomination, and the Church-at-large: old wine-skins or new?

The Lord's Prayer -

2013-05-10T04:55:00.000-05:00

(Tissot)

"I ask You not for the sake of these gathered around Me, but for all those who will some day believe in Us through their words. I ask that all may become as one with each other and with Us; just as We are One. The world will know Us by them.

As You have anointed Me with power and authority, so have I anointed them so that they will be one and One. Let the world will know Us by them, and know that I love them as dearly and deeply as You love Me.

Abba, I hope that all who have been given to Me will come to live with Me, and see Me in My home.

Righteous One, the world knows little of the Truth of You, but I know You - these friends that I am sending out know that We are One and know You by knowing Me. As We know and love them, let them know and love Us. As We love each other, I pray that they love each other."

(John 17:20-26 retold)

When Already?

2013-05-08T05:45:00.000-05:00

(art by Van Gogh)

“Yes, I’m on my way! I’ll be there soon! I’m bringing my payroll with me. I’ll pay all people in full for their life’s work. I’m A to Z, the First and the Final, Beginning and Conclusion.

“How blessed are those who wash their robes! The Tree of Life is theirs for good, and they’ll walk through the gates to the City. But outside for good are the filthy curs: sorcerers, fornicators, murderers, idolaters—all who love and live lies.

“I, Jesus, sent my Angel to testify to these things for the churches. I’m the Root and Branch of David, the Bright Morning Star.”

     “Come!” say the Spirit and the Bride.
     Whoever hears, echo, “Come!”
     Is anyone thirsty? Come!
     All who will, come and drink,
     Drink freely of the Water of Life!

I give fair warning to all who hear the words of the prophecy of this book: If you add to the words of this prophecy, God will add to your life the disasters written in this book; if you subtract from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will subtract your part from the Tree of Life and the Holy City that are written in this book.

He who testifies to all these things says it again: “I’m on my way! I’ll be there soon!”

Yes! Come, Master Jesus!

The grace of the Master Jesus be with all of you. Oh, Yes!

(Revelation 22:12-21; The Message)

Meditations:

When is "soon"?
Will we be judged by "their life's works" or faith (washed in the blood)?
Does "pay" refer to eternal life, or some reward in eternal life?
The Church is the Bride - do we say come to the thirstiest, or to those already sated?
What is the difference between "adding" and "interpreting"?

Redemption in a Philippian Prison:

2013-05-06T05:11:00.000-05:00

One day, as we were going to the place set aside for prayer, we encountered a slave girl. She made a lot of money for her owners as a fortune-teller, assisted by some sort of occult spirit. She began following us.

Slave Girl (shouting): These men are slaves like me, but slaves of the Most High God! They will proclaim to you the way of liberation!

The next day as we passed by, she did the same thing—and again on the following days. One day Paul was really annoyed, so he turned and spoke to the spirit that was enslaving her.

Paul: I order you in the name of Jesus, God’s Anointed: Come out of her!

It came right out. But when her owners realized she would be worthless now as a fortune-teller, they grabbed Paul and Silas, dragged them into the open market area, and presented them to the authorities.

Slave Owners: These men are troublemakers, disturbing the peace of our great city. They are from some Jewish sect, and they promote foreign customs that violate our Roman standards of conduct.

The crowd joined in with insults and insinuations, prompting the city officials to strip them naked in the public square so they could be beaten with rods. They were flogged mercilessly and then were thrown into a prison cell. The jailer was ordered to keep them under the strictest supervision. The jailer complied, first restraining them in ankle chains, then locking them in the most secure cell in the center of the jail.

Picture this: It’s midnight. In the darkness of their cell, Paul and Silas—after surviving the severe beating—aren’t moaning and groaning; they’re praying and singing hymns to God. The prisoners in adjoining cells are wide awake, listening to them pray and sing. Suddenly the ground begins to shake, and the prison foundations begin to crack. You can hear the sound of jangling chains and the squeak of cell doors opening. Every prisoner realizes that his chains have come unfastened. The jailer wakes up and runs into the jail. His heart sinks as he sees the doors have all swung open. He is sure his prisoners have escaped, and he knows this will mean death for him, so he pulls out his sword to commit suicide. At that moment, Paul sees what is happening and shouts out at the top of his lungs,

Paul: Wait, man! Don’t harm yourself! We’re all here! None of us has escaped.

The jailer sends his assistants to get some torches and rushes into the cell of Paul and Silas. He falls on his knees before them, trembling. Then he brings them outside.

Jailer: Gentlemen, please tell me, what must I do to be liberated?

Paul and Silas: Just believe—believe in the ultimate King, Jesus, and not only will you be rescued, but your whole household will as well.

The jailer brings them to his home, and they have a long conversation with the man and his family. Paul and Silas explain the message of Jesus to them all. The man washes their wounds and feeds them, then they baptize the man and his family. The night ends with Paul and Silas in the jailer’s home, sharing a meal together, the whole family rejoicing that they have come to faith in God.

(Acts 16:16-34; The Voice)

Meditations:

1. The poor slave girl was telling the truth about the Disciples and their mission. Why did Paul get annoyed with her?

2. By exorcizing the spirit or demon, Paul stole valuable property from the slave girl’s owners – why didn’t they make such a charge before the authorities and seek damages?

3. What customs were they advocating that were illegal for the residents of Philippi?

4. The crowd wants blood, so the authorities order a beating – sound familiar?

5. Why is the guard so willing to kill himself when he thinks they escaped, but then busts them out of prison himself?

Get Out Of Here!

2013-05-03T05:37:00.000-05:00

(art by Bartolome Esteban Murillo )

Yeshua went up to the big city for the holidays. Down by the gate that sheep came in and out, there was a pool of water that legend said had healing properties. Once the surface of the pool was disturbed, the first person to jump in would be healed.The pool was full and completely surrounded by the sick and injured splashing, shoving, and seeking a cure.

In this crowd, Yeshua's attention instantly focused on a single man laying quietly on the ground. This man had been there off-and-on for 38 years! Yeshua asked him: "Do you want to be healed?" I can picture Yeshua's students thinking: "Good question. If he can walk, the lazy bum could no longer get a free ride begging money from the rest of us! Does he really want to be healed, or does he want a hand-out?"

The man said: "Yes. But due to my infirmity, I can not get into the water quick enough to benefit from the healing spell." The man was obviously a very gentle and polite person - my response to Yeshua's question would have been more saltily sarcastic - much more...

Yeshua replied: "Grab your stuff and get out of here." Instantly, the man was made whole and walked away.

Now that's what I call a Sabbath!

(John 5:1-9 retold)

Chill!

2013-05-02T05:38:00.001-05:00

(art by He Qi)

Jesus said: "Those who love me will act as I have taught, and will be loved by my Father. Those who don't won't. We will come to those who love us, and reside in them. These are not my words that you hear, but those of the Father who sent me to you. I tell you these things while we are yet together. But the Spirit that the Father will send into you in my name will make clear all the parables, remove the scales placed upon your eyes, remind you of forgotten words, and give you revelation.

Shalom I shall leave with you. Not the mere absence of conflict, but my agape shalom of wholeness. I do not give this gift like the world would give it, I give it to you without condition or price, and I will not take it away. Don't have a panic attack, there is nothing to fear.

You have heard me say over and over that I was going away but not leaving you alone. If you love me, let me go. Celebrate that I am going home to my Father. That I will become whole once more in the Father and the Spirit. I tell you these things while we are yet together, so that when they come to pass you will not be afraid."

(Retelling of John 14:22-29)

The Big Reveal:

2013-05-01T05:34:00.001-05:00

(art byHieronymus Bosch)

The Spirit carried me away, and I looked at the new Holy City below me descending from on high.

I did not see any churches! For the real Church is the Body of Christ.

I did not see a sun or moon! For those once blind now saw by The Light, the Lamb-Light. The nations of the world will walk at last in The Light. The rulers of the world will at last be part of The Light.

I did not see any closed and defended gates! For there will be nothing to fear. The people of the world will at last be part of The Light.

I did not see any sin! For all have been redeemed from bondage to their baser selves.

Then my angel pointed at the River of Life, full and overflowing with Living Water, coming from the Triune Spring. Along both banks grew Trees of Life grown from the seeds of Eden, bearing different fruit to feed all the tribes and leaves of healing balm - always in season.

I saw no taint of old sins.

I saw The Throne among the people.

I saw The Throne occupied.

I saw all of the people bow before Him and see His face.

I saw The Light radiate from their faces.

Night was no more! There was no more need of electricity and fossil fuels. There wasn't even any need for the old burned-out sun. For those once blind now saw by The Light, the Lamb-Light. The people of the world will at last be part of The Light, and shall reign together in the Kingdom beyond the bounds of time.

( Revelation 21:10 and 21:22 - 22:5 retold)

Psalmic #Poetry - The 67th; Selah In The House

2013-04-30T05:07:00.000-05:00

Let God be full of Grace.

Let God bless us to bless.

Let The Light shine on us.

Selah y'all!

Let the Good News become known.

Let the nations become redeemed.

Let all your children into the choir.

Selah, selah y'all!

Let all the peoples be free to praise.

Let all the countries be joyful places.

Let us have Your mercy and wisdom.

Selah, selah, selah y'all!

Let the beloved people love You.

Let all people know You as Lord.

Let them grow in body and soul.

Selah, selah, selah, selah y'all!

The Earth shares Your gifts with us.

You ever have, do, and will bless us.

All of Creation reveres its Creator.

Selah y'all!

(Retold by Tiwago)

The Evangel to the Capitalists:

2013-04-29T05:34:00.000-05:00

In the night, Paul awoke to a powerful vision - a European from Macedonia begged him: "Come and help us!" Convinced that God was calling him to mission, he jumped up and we started making our travel plans. We set sail from Turkey straight across the sea to Greece. The next day we hiked to Newtown and then on to the veteran retirement community of Phillipi where we stayed for a few days.

On the sabbath we went down to the river to pray. We sat down and chatted with the women who were not allowed in the synagogue because of their sex, who were filling their water jars, or who were there doing their laundry. One of the women listening closely was a gentile worshipper of our God from Lydia in Turkey. Herodotus in his histories said that the Lydians were the first people in the world to establish permanent retail shops, and to use silver and gold coins in commerce. We called this woman Lydia after her homeland when we discovered that she was a successful and internationally connected merchant dealing in cloth for royalty. The Spirit opened her heart, mind and soul to Paul's relating Jesus' message of inclusion, hope and love.

As the head of her household, she had us baptize her family, servants and employees into The Way as part of the Body of Christ. Even though she was an unmarried woman, she begged us to stay with her - and we did.

(Retelling of Acts 16:9-15)

How Do I Show Love?

2013-04-26T05:24:00.001-05:00

“So I give you a new command: Love each other deeply and fully. Remember the ways that I have loved you, and demonstrate your love for others in those same ways. Everyone will know you as My followers if you demonstrate your love to others.” (John 13:34-35; The Voice)

Meditations:

1. Is this really a “new” commandment - or does it expand upon, summarize or perfect all the earlier ones? How so?

2. What do I ‘love’?

3. What does it mean to love deeply?

4. Have I loved fully?

5. How has God loved us?

6. How may I model such love in my relationships with others?

7. In 1968, Father Peter R. Scholtes wrote the hymn: “They’ll Know We Are Christians”. Look up the lyrics, how do they help our understanding of this reading?

Terra Nova:

2013-04-25T05:37:00.000-05:00

I was shown a future on a new planet under an alien sky; our first Earth had died when the the water had dried up. And I saw a large ship, the New Jerusalem, slowly descending to the ground like a bride going down the aisle.

Then, I heard a Voice: "Witness: God's home is among His people. He will live with them as their Parent, and they as His Children. They Themselves will be one of you. She will wipe away all the tears that now flow from your eyes. No one will ever be taken away by death again. Never again will people mourn, or hurt, or cry, for loss, and pain, and sorrow will no longer exist. See, I AM creating creation anew. Take notes on what you see, because this message of hope is critical!"

"It is done."

"I AM the First and the Last of all things, of all space, of all time. My people are dying of thirst, so I will give them fresh cool spring-water - Living Water."

(Revelation 21:1-6 retold)

Psalmic #Poetry - The 148th; Acclaim the Lord:

2013-04-23T05:42:00.000-05:00

Acclaim the Lord!

Acclaim Him from the River of the Milky Way.

Acclaim Him from the summit of Mt. Everest.

Acclaim Him angelic beings.

Acclaim Him heavenly army.

Acclaim Him sun and moon.

Acclaim Him twinkling stars.

Acclaim Him expanding universe.

Acclaim Him all interstellar matter.

So let them acclaim their Lord,

For He spoke and they became,

For He made time and eternity,

For He made space and infinity.

Acclaim the Lord all of Gaia,

You vent worms and whales.

Lava and glaciers,

Blizzards and hail,

And hurricanes too,

Are His to command.

Tall crags and gentle hills,

Sequoias and apple trees,

Wild beasts and livestock,

Snake low and eagle high,

Rulers or citizens of Earth,

Men and women together,

Youths and elders together!

So let them acclaim their Lord,

For His name alone is worthy,

For His glory exceeds creation,

For He's lifted us from the mud,

For the saints here among us,

For all His beloved peoples.

Acclaim the Lord!

(A retelling by Tiwago)

Just Hangin'

2013-04-22T05:33:00.000-05:00

The leaders of the Church heard a rumor that minorities, immigrants, gays, and people of other faiths had received and accepted the teachings of God through Peter! When he returned from his mission work, they jumped all over him! "Why do you seek out these dirty vile people and hang out with them? People will think you are one of them! They'll think that we condone them instead of condemn them!"

Peter tried to explain it them in as simple a manner as he could, as if he were speaking to children: "I was meditating in Joppa and went into a trance. I saw a giant flying carpet float down from Heaven - it kept coming closer and closer! I saw animals riding on it: predators and prey; vegetarians and scavengers; cute little bunnies and grumbling pigs. Suddenly, I heard a Voice: 'Get off your butt Peter and meet My Creation.'"

"But I was shocked at such an idea: 'Is this a trial Lord? Am I supposed to just forget thousands of years of law, tradition and morality because You say things are changing and that I should too?'"

"The Voice spoke a second time: 'What I have made cleanly, and those that I have made in My image, you must not despise.'"

"Three times the Voice told me to feed His sheep. Then it was just gone. But while the vision lingered in my mind, three messengers from Caesarea knocked on my door. The Spirit told me: 'Get off your butt Peter and meet My Creation. Go with these strangers to their pagan home, and do not imagine differences between yourself and them so that you may despise them.' The six brothers here with me are my witnesses, they went with me when I entered the man's house who had called for me. He testified to us that an angel had come to him in his home, and told him to call for Peter. The angel said that I would would have a gospel for his family and household that they may all be saved!"

"God told this unbeliever to send for me. God told me to go to this man that I have been trained to hate. Just like in that locked upper room when we huddled together, the Spirit fell upon them as I shared our message. Then, the words of our Master struck me for the first time: 'Religion baptizes in earthly water, but you will be baptized in heavenly fire.'"

"So, if God sees fit to anoint them and grace them with the same Spirit as he has bestowed upon us, who was I to tell Him to get lost?"

That shut them up pretty well. They felt like Pharisees! They cried out: "God has given repentance to all! It is a new earth - a new Kingdom!"

(Retelling of Acts 11:1-18)

Psaljon:

2013-04-19T05:13:00.000-05:00

The Lord is my Shepherd and all I need. I know His voice, He knows my fears, He comforts me, and He leads me towards an eternal life with Him. He restores and perfects me, and is made known by so doing. He calls my name and I follow. Even when it is so dark that I can not see, I can hear His voice and can be brave. I do not fear material death because it is immaterial now. The enemy is powerless as it watches me break bread with the Lord, and sees Him wash my feet and anoint my head. I drink from the cup overflowing. Nothing can take grace away once given, and it will be with me all the days of my life and beyond as I dwell in the Father's hand.

(Mash-up of Psalm 23 and John 10:22-30)

Revelatory #Poetry - All Means All:

2013-04-17T05:16:00.000-05:00

I beheld

Humanity -

A mass,

Uncountable:

Every nation;

Every ethnicity;

Every class;

Every caste;

Every age;

Every sex;

Every orientation.

Standing

Before the Throne -

Before the Lamb.

Perfected!

Clothed in white

And Holy light.

Bearing green

Hosanna fronds -

Palm Sunday

Anew and evermore.

Kingdom came.

(Revelation 7:9 retold by Tiwago)

Dorcas the Zombie:

2013-04-15T05:37:00.000-05:00

Tabitha lay dead in an upstairs room.

She was a human landmark in Joppa, known for her kind acts and compassionate charity. She worked and served right up to the moment she became deathly ill and slipped away. The washed her body, and laid her out with care and respect for a wake for all those who loved her and whose lives had been transformed by her. They knew she was dear to the Disciples, so they were invited to the viewing.

When Peter arrived, they took him upstairs to say his goodbyes, but the room was crowded. All the destitute widows in town wept loudly as they insisted that he see all the beautiful clothes that Tabitha had made for them. The Jews called her Mother Tabitha and the Gentiles called her Dorcas, the beautiful Gazelle - all named her a blessing. Peter was moved, but sent them outside to be alone with the corpse.

I can picture it in my head: like a little child, he is kneeling beside the bed with his elbows upon it, his hands are clasped, his head bowed, his eyes closed squinty-hard. Can you see it too?

After all time and no time, he turned to her and quietly said to her: "It's time to get up Tabby." She opened her eyes, and seeing her friend Simon, she took his hand and got up with his help. He called downstairs for the mourners to come and see something. I'm thinking that was quite a party!

Within minutes, everyone in Joppa knew about it - and many believed what they heard, and in so doing, they believed in her God that loved her even more than they did.

(Retelling of Acts 9:36-42)

Gone Fishing;

2013-04-12T05:37:00.000-05:00

(James Jacques Tissot)

Simon said: "I need some down-time. I'm going fishing." Several of the fishermen from among the disciples decided to join him. They stripped and went out onto the lake with their lanterns and nets for some night fishing, but did not catch anything.

As the sun came up, they saw a stranger waiting for them on the beach who said: "Children, poor fishing wasn't it?" "Yes" they called back.

Then he said: "You're fishing on the wrong side of the boat - cast your nets on the other side and you'll find the fish." For some strange reason, these salty fishermen complied without question. They tried to haul it back in, but it was too full for just them. Suddenly, John figured it out; "That's HIM!" he whispered to Simon, who impulsively put on his clothes and dove into the lake, leaving the others to deal with the catch. The rest of the disciples launched a second boat, and rowed out to help. When they had beached the boats, they found a campfire with fish and bread waiting for them. The man said: "Bring me some of the fish you just caught."

Simon ran to the boat he had just deserted, and brought the net the rest of the way in. He was too excited to notice that by all rights it should have been torn to shreds by so many fish.

"Come," said the Master, "join me for breakfast." By then, they all knew who he was. Jesus blessed the fresh-baked bread, broke it, and gave each starving man a ample piece. He did the same with the fish. Were there twelve baskets of bread and fish left over? I do not know...

This was the third time. The third time that the resurrected Jesus was with his students. He turned to the friend who had denied him three times: "Simon, son of John, do you love me more than this food, these friends, this life?" Simon blurted: "Of course I do!" "Feed my little lambs." Jesus said.

"Simon, son of John, do you love me?" "You know I do!" "Tend my flock."

A third time he asked: "Simon, son of John, do you love me?"

Hurt, Simon wondered if Jesus knew something about his heart that he did not know. "You know all, Lord. Don't I love you?" "Feed my sheep."

I wonder, did Simon hear another rooster crow this dawn? I do not know...

Jesus lifted Simon's face, and looked into his eyes: "You are still vital and can dress yourself and go where you will. But you will grow old. You will reach out to others who will tie you up and take you where you would not go." He was telling Simon what kind of death he would suffer for the glory of God.

Then Simon heard the words that had started it all: "Follow me."

(retelling of John 21:1-19)

Psalmic #Poetry - The Thirtieth; The Deliverer:

2013-04-10T05:38:00.000-05:00

I acclaim You, Lord.

You rescued me

From my enemies.

I cried -

You healed.

You raised me up

From my own hell.

Gave me new life -

Up from the damned.

We sing.

Your people

Thank You.

Your wrath is fleeting -

Your favor eternal.

In the dark we weep,

But the morning comes.

As for me and mine

(By Your love and mercy)

We shall not be moved;

(By Your love and grace)

I am a solid mountain!

But then

You hid from me,

And I quaked and shook.

I cried.

I pled.

I bargained!

What value is my death

If I'm stuck in the Pit?

Will the dust then

Sing Your Name?

Will the dust then

Testify Your Glory?

Hear me!

Help me!

Be my helper...

I cried -

You danced with me.

You removed my mourning cloak,

And clothed me with joy.

My soul sings;

It can not keep quiet.

My Lord,

My God,

I give my thanks

Forever more.

(re-imagined by Tiwago)

Saul the Dragon:

2013-04-08T05:28:00.001-05:00

(Caravaggio)

Breathing fire of hatred and venom, the Heretic Hunter went to the Temple's High Priest for authorization to go to Damascus to track down fleeing members of "The Way" cult - to bring them back in chains for public torture and execution. Suddenly, as he approached his hunting grounds, his brain exploded in a super-nova of light, and he fell off of his mount onto the dusty road.

"Saul. Saul. Why do you hound me?"

Unable to see, Saul asked: "Who are you?"

"I am Jesus, I am The Way that you hunt. Rise from the dust Saul. Enter the city gate. You will be told what to do." The stunned huntsmen with Saul helped him up, and led him into Damascus - although they were not blind, they too had heard the Lord. For three days, all he could see was the light. He neither ate nor drank; he sat, and he prayed, and he waited.

In the ancient city, there was a cell-member named Ananias. Christ called to him in a vision. "Here I am Lord," Ananias answered.

"Arise. Search the street called Straight, asking for the house of Judas. Look there for a Tarsite called Saul, who is at this moment deep in meditation. He is seeing a vision of you returning his sight."

"Saul? Saul! We all fled Jerusalem to get away from him and his henchmen! He is the most evil man in the world, dragging all who call upon your name off to death in the stoning fields!"

Jesus answered: "Go. He is my chosen vessel, the jar that I have emptied to carry my name to the people, to the unbelievers, and to Caesar. I myself will reveal to him what it is to suffer because of my name."

Ananias rose, and the prey went to the predator. Once he found Saul, he laid hands upon him. "Brother! He who appeared to you on the road has sent me so that you may see and be filled with the Holy Spirit." As soon as Ananias touched him, the scabs were washed off in his tears of joy. He could see - not as before, but with new eyes. He stood up and was baptized into The Way right then and there by Ananias. He broke his fast, and soon regained his strength. He stayed with the group of followers for several days, and boldly proclaimed in the synagogues of Damascus that the Son of Man was the Son of God - the long awaited Messiah.

(retelling of Acts 9:1-20)

Touch Me:

2013-04-06T05:16:00.000-05:00

(Painting by Caravaggio)

After the Rabbi's torture and execution, his students hid from the troops, the mob, and even the leaders of their own faith. They were gathered together in a room bolted shut and blacked-out windows. They were listening for noise in the street or the creak a stair-step. One of them towards the middle of the room said: "Shalom." They all looked to see who would say such a thing in such a place at such a time. The man showed them his hands and his side - it was the Teacher!

"Shalom. As our Father sent me to you, I send you out into the streets to them." Then he breathed a creative pneuma-breath of life into the dank and fear-musked room: "Receive the Spirit. Any that you forgive are thus forgiven. Any you damn are thus damned."

But Tom was not there. Was he braver than the rest? More afraid than they? Was he a loner, or a family man? I do not know why he was not there. The others witnessed and testified to him later until they were blue in the face. He did not believe. John does not tell me why. He doesn't say if Thomas was a man of logic, if he had been lied to and hurt in the past, or if he was just a negative personality. In some ways, I hope the latter - that puts me in the story.

He was just one small powerless man, surely his absence didn't make much of a difference?

It must have mattered to Jesus, for when they next gathered for their weekly meeting, Jesus was there with them in the locked room - standing next to Thomas; "Shalom Tommy. Take my hands. Do you feel the holes from the spikes? Touch me! Put your hand inside this gash in my side. Your friends have not lied to you. Your mind has not invented me. You have seen and touched the divine wounds made by man. Believe..."

Broken and restored in the same instant, Thomas croaked: "My Lord and God!"

Jesus put his arm around his shoulders: "You told yourself that you could not believe without proof, and I have blessed you in your need. Just think how much more blessed will be all of those who have not seen me, that will be blessed by your eyes and your fingers!"

Jesus performed many more miracles that are not written in books, but in many ways this was the greatest. It seems sometimes to me to be easier to walk on water, than to change a mind. Read and listen, and you too will be blessed with belief, and you will live as Christ.

(Taken from John 20:19-31)