‘Stigmata’
HOMILY: The action takes place in a liminal space, in a nameless village somewhere between Galilee and Samaria. Jesus leads disciples to anticipate surprises, healing, new life at the margins, in various border settings …
‘In a Spirit of freedom’
HOMILY: There are many references to slavery in the Bible. In one sense, the whole Bible is a reflection on slavery and freedom – what it means to overcome oppression and to become free people …
‘Children of the cosmos’
HOMILY: Jesus calls the salvation he provides “bread” and calls himself “bread from heaven”. John, arguably the most mystical of the gospels, is artfully constructed, layered. It is sacramental – the material world is a bearer of spiritual meaning, the material participates in the spiritual.
‘The place of faith and understanding’
HOMILY: Job asks, “Where is the place of understanding?” And Jesus asks, “Where is your faith?” God knows believers, afraid and amazed, seek Wisdom – a certain power, wellbeing, confidence … relationship, connection, shalom/peace …
‘Walk the line’
HOMILY: Leigh knew hardship … and Leigh loved his neighbour, which, according to Jesus, means he loved God – he loved with the faithfulness of God who says: “I will cover you with my pinions; under my wings you will take refuge; my faithfulness will shield you” (Psalm 91:4). Leigh loved with the faithfulness of God who says: “Because you’re mine, I walk the line.”
‘More than a tree’
HOMILY: God addresses Job, drawing his attention to a Wisdom inherent in the Mountain Goat and the Deer and their birthing practice, the manner in which their young become able to care for themselves; a Wisdom inherent in the free roaming of the wild Donkey as it forages for green grass; in the flight of the Hawk to the south and the nesting and preying habits of the Eagle.
‘All things remembered in Christ’
HOMILY: “Now I see you with my own eyes” … “Now I see you with new/ocean/divine eyes” … There’s something mystical here – a Word other than “word of mouth” (mere human talk, opinion, reverie). The sea is other …
‘Repeated listening’
HOMILY: To really love a literary work – a poem, story or philosophical text – is to revisit it. We may not understand them fully, but the words vibrate with potential or promise … there is a “not yet” in the “now” …
‘Slow time … start again’
HOMILY: The Christian challenge (and it is a theological and practical challenge) is to hold these two symbols, “slow time” and “start again”, to acknowledge covenants/promises in the Spirit of Torah and Gospel. A certain imaginative space is required.
‘A fire that divides …’
HOMILY: This week’s gospel presents the paradox of divine fire – both divisive and curative. As poetic device it enables the drawing of fine and far-reaching distinctions. Sooner or later, says Jesus, you’ll have to decide. There’s a fire that divides …
