Author: johnfreal
-
The End of the Line and the Beginning of Wisdom
Spoken the the Prophets–9Isaiah reference / Chapter 26-29Format / Japanese rengaGo, my people, goTo your private room to prayShut the door. Be quiet. The city is abandoned now. When boughs go dry, they get burnt.For they are broken,not a discerning people.They can’t hear a thing. Precepts are turned to nonsense. Gibberish passes for speech.Your orders…
-
A Time of Redemption
Spoken through the Prophets–8Isaiah reference / Chapter 25-26Format / Japanese rengaYou are a shelterfrom the storm, a quiet placefor those in distress. For you have been a refuge for the weak, shade from the heat.You are preparing,on this mountain, a banquetfor all your children. The banquet will have rich food, succulent food and fine wine.Here…
-
The Anointed Will Come
Spoken through the Prophets–7Isaiah reference / Chapter 11-12Format / Japanese rengaCounsel and powercomes from the stock of Jesseto bring us justice On him will rest the Spirit of insight and of wisdomHis inspiration will be in the deep presenceof the breath of God His Spirit will bring counsel with integrity and justiceHe will draw waterfrom…
-
Stumbles and Seeds
Spoken through the Prophets–6Isaiah reference / Chapters 7-10Format / Hebrew versetsA young girl will be with child and will give birth to a son.She will call him Immanuel. He will eat curds and honey.He will learn to reject evil and choose the good.But before this there will be an invasion of your land.How long do…
-
Roads to Walk
Introduction Near the beginning of each Gospel John the Baptist appears with a call to repent. Perhaps like me you don’t like the word repent. Is it too churchy, too much of a scold? The Greek word is metanoia which can also mean turn around or just turn. The season of Lent is meant to…
-
Branding in the Temple
Spoken Through the Prophets-5Isaiah reference / Chapter 6Format / Hebrew versetsThe year that the king died a vision with angels overwhelmed me.The fullness of God’s glory overflowed into the temple.Thresholds swayed from the sound, and the room filled with smoke.I knew that I was lost and unwashed, an unclean soul in a dirty crowd.But then…
-
The World Is God’s Vineyard
Spoken Through the Prophets-4Isaiah reference / Chapter 5, 24Format / Japanese rengaFine grapes were plantedin fertile soil for youa wine press there too What more could be done with it The field had no yieldSo knock down its wallsLet it grow brambles and thornsNo justice was found Hear me / people of the world fair…
-
Jerusalem Has Stumbled
Spoken Through the Prophets-3Isaiah reference / Chapter 2-3Format / Japanese renga In speech and in deedsJerusalem has stumbledJudah has fallen You brought on evil yourselves forgot God who gave you birthSweet shall be bitterbecause you deny justiceand think yourselves wise The invaders have advanced See how swiftly they come nowNone of them tiredweapons already unsheathed…
-
Two Candles for Saint Brigit
AttendingI awaken again to the world,if only for a time in this midwinter sunshine,to the new growth on cedars,to see young gulls splashing and divingfor the spawning smelt in the gravelly shallows.In this time out of time cycles of renewalbegin to bring dreams to lifeThe hummingbird and the eagleare happy for the sunshineand the fire…
-
Idols and Ashes
Spoken Through the Prophets-16 Isaiah reference / Chapter 44Format / Japanese rengaAn idol of woodhas become their discernmentThe rest has been burned The mocked heart led them astray They follow only ashesThey have made this manan idol and kissed his assHe will not save them Deluded hearts go astray In their hands nothing but liesThey…