Ode to a shrinking lake


Was it anonymity you sought when first you changed your name?
Did that first encounter with the One change you?
was it then you became a shrinking violet?
But no, we know your wild ways
temperamental, unpredictable
not tame at all
I have seen your beauty, 
cobalt and emerald, serene, shalom
Shrinking now when once you were so plentiful
nourishing all who sojourned there
refreshing waters teaming with life

What tales could you tell of times gone by?
there was talk of fishermen leaving their boats to follow a stranger
his words still echoing on your shores
his presence stirring you as he passed by
you and wind playing your games, him sleeping in a boat atop you
the power of his breath commanding gigantic waves to peace
his footprints skimming your surface 
the enormous weight of his presence not sinking into you at all
The toes of the risen one paddling as he ate on your shores
what does risen feel like?

Your many names roll off the tongue
Minya, Ginosar, Kinneret, Tiberius
Gennesaret
the simple one we know the best

Sea of Galilee don’t leave us now. 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Subversive Mission Statements

Image
In the past 50 years it has become fashionable to have a mission statement for one’s organisation or business - I am old enough to remember a time when no one talked about mission statements. I looked up a few mission statements - I wonder if you can guess where they come from? “To inspire moments of optimism and happiness... To create value and make a difference.” (Coco cola) “Our mission is to make delicious feel-good moments easy for everyone.” (McDonalds) “Our mission is to empower every person and every organisation on the planet to achieve more.” (Microsoft) : “to bring the best personal computing products and support to students, educators, designers, scientists, engineers, businesspersons and consumers in over 140 countries around the world.” (apple) “to organise the world's information and make it universally accessible and useful” (google) “Our purpose is Helping New Zealand Business win, because when business wins, we all win.” (advertising agency) - “to provide the most
Read more

Apocalypse now and the teapot

Image
1 Thess 4:13-18  The Message I have a beautiful teapot that I don’t use every day - it’s white with blue flowers. When I make a cuppa for myself I put a teabag in the cup. But when I get a text from family or friends on the way to visit, I respond with “ I’ve put the kettle on, smiling emoji” and I smile and warm up the blue and white teapot. Time with family and friends brings joy.  The Thessalonians were going through a difficult time. With the recent persecution people had died. They had looked forward to Jesus’ return, so sure it was imminent that they believed it would happen in their lifetime. So when those among their number died, it rocked their faith. How could Jesus meet those who had died? Perhaps Jesus was never coming back, maybe he never even rose from the grave in the first place?  Paul speaks to this group, stricken with grief, wracked with doubt and he brings words of comfort. He speaks of the end times. When we come to talk about new creation and end times,
Read more

The future of animal Agriculture

For a paper I am doing in Public Theology our assignment was to write a submission to a (real or imagined) commission of inquiry. For the purposes of this, I am responding to a (currently imaginary) commission of inquiry into the future of animal agriculture in Aotearoa/NZ. As this is a public theology paper I am looking at the issues with animal agriculture and arguing a theological perspective on how we should respond. The Future of Animal Agriculture
Read more