Poetry by Rev. Dr. John Joseph Mastandrea
We are the People
We are the people.
The people, young, older,
Rich, poor, sick, well, black, white, in between,
Nonbinary, gay, lesbian, trans, two spirited, cisgendered,
We are the people.
David remained at Jerusalem
Children of Israel, wandering in the wilderness, liberation from oppression, build relationships, institutions, faithful, sustainable civilization, enduring civilization, economic base, life more than manna, family, nurture, socialize, people can be flawed, seek advantage, matter of status, wealth, affection, transcendent normative references, guide, economic, emotional, and political live.
We are the people.
You have come from a journey.
Hebrews, escaped from Egypt, God, called together, give a new identity, witnesses, author, promised land, peaceful flourishing, just society, the land, many tribes, honour God, land, the Hebrews, citadels, neighbours, divine sanction, once slaves, now warriors, defend their bands, world of war, meeting the balm of peace,
We are the people.
I bow my knees.
Confession, reconciliation, equip, service of God, hope, abundance.
We are the people.
Jesus sat down with the disciples.
Trouble, miracles, feeding, 5000, walk on water, divine identity, nature, author, intend, logos, word of God.
We are the people.
It is I; do not be afraid.
Knowledge, human need, resources, bucket list, weak become strong, power, work, incarnation, human desire, goal for grace.
We are the people.
We are the Name
We are the name.
The name we are known by, that we are given at birth.
A name is our calling card. They settled in the house
Home is where we get our bearings, where we live, rest our heads, castle, cave, residence, security, stability, spirit, abiding in God.
We are the name.
I will appoint a place for my people.
The most high, human hands, palace, people of God, locks on the door, protect us, home is castle, feel safe, house of worship, cathedral, transcendent words.
We are the name.
Proclaim peace, reconciliation, Christ, participate, death, life, sin, grace, audience, alive in Christ, way of life. Come away to our place and rest.
Emerge, view the world, flow, compassion, witness, healing, life is lived. They crossed over.
We are the name.
Remembrance, façade, public, healing, deliverance, human hunger, outstretched hands, not enough, human finitude, breads of life, food for the journey home.
We are the name
We are the Dancer
We are the dancer
David gathered the chosen
David danced, joy, God’s presence, temple, moving the ark, presence, leap, twirl
They carried the ark
Break out dancing, emotion, express yourself, culture, drum, heartbeat
We are the dancer
Chose us in Christ
Affirmation, human beings, greeting, election, kingdom of God, appointed to life, mercy shines forth, native
We are the dancer
It is a prophet
Christians, understand, grace, foundation, free election, life before we were born, wonderful mercy, salvation of people, native source.
We are the dancer
Give a banquet
Beheading, tragedy, grieving, mending, healing, presence of grace, redeems, groaning, embracing power, fragrance of life, all things new
We are the dancer
We are the Sovereign
We are the sovereign
We are your bone and flesh
Establish, David King, anointed, Israel, Judah, loyal, shepherd boy, voice, people, bond, one of us, eyes, govern
We are the sovereign
You will be shepherd
Appeal, David to be king, shepherd, rule over Israel, Ascension, God’s promise, covenant
Prayer of Hannah
We are the sovereign
Caught up into paradise
Accept, striking, nature, demonstrate, radical, foolishness, wisdom
We are the sovereign
He began to teach
Nature of Jesus, source, authority, who is Jesus, spirit realm
We are the sovereign
He sent them out two by two.
Life, identity, Nazareth, preparation, twelve, healing, curing, persist, Christ’s name, assurance, witness
We are the sovereign
We are the Bow
We are the bow.
When all the world is a hopeless jumble and the raindrops tumble all around
Heaven opens a magic lane when all the clouds darken up the skyway
There’s a rainbow highway to be found leading from your windowpane
To a place behind the sun
Just a step beyond the rain
Over the rainbow
We are the bow.
They were swifter than eagles, they were stronger than lions,
Author, death, lift a hand, take a life, immoral, lord’s anointed, lament, personal, speech
We are the bow.
Clothed with crimson
Outcry, nature, loss, glory, slain, survivor, grieve, profound, slain, heroes, fall, vanquished, strong warriors, unbearable, howl, might, fallen, midst of battle, heroes, weapons, in God’s hands.
We are the bow.
Excel also in this generous undertaking
Passage, heart, appeal, pledge, collection, for the poor, charis, grace, koinonia, fellowship, participation, relief work, diakonia, work of grace, act of Christian fellowship, solidarity and love.
We are the bow.
Come lay your hands
Nature of Jesus, created order, realms, source, nature, priorities, relationship, subject, sovereign.
We are the bow
“If I but touch his clothes, I will be made well.”
Saw Jesus, authority, created order, material, obedient faith, priorities, touch, made well
We are the bow.
We are the Champions
We are the champions.
Champion, leader, warrior, changemaker.
Thought leader, maker.
We are the champions.
Let your life prevail.
Story, boy David, giant Goliath, stone, the small, triumph, youngest, champion, combat, challenge, stripling, confidence, warrior.
We are the champions.
I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts.
Read the story, God’s spirit is with David, protect, lead, demonstrate, there is a God.
We are the champions
We urge you to accept the grace of God.
Hazards, look beyond, integrity, reconciliation, righteousness,
We are the champions.
Let us go across to the other side.
Sovereign, nature, authority, created order, the boat, the sleep, the storm, nature.
We are the champions.
He woke up and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!”.
Authority, miracle, faith, calm the sea, into the boat, symbols of power, energy of the storm, exertion.
Queen, We will rock you.
We are the champions
We are the Heart
Caritas.
The love of the other for the sake of God.
The people in our heart centre.
My list: Bill Calkins, mother, sister, brother, Roy, many, many more.
Look on the heart.
Passage, grief, sent, anoint, new king, Samuel, fill the horn with oil, travel, Bethlehem, Jesse’s son.
We are the heart.
Rise and anoint this one.
Prophet, meets our brokenness, our story, brighter future, sovereign, plan, participate, rise, God’s future.
We are the heart.
We walk by faith.
Human weakness, divine glory, power, inner, outer, present, future, transient, eternal, resolution, home, faith, sight, flesh, new creation.
We are the heart.
The Kingdom of God is the scattered seed.
Images, peel, layers, walk, riches, living texts, kingdom, farmer, gardener, make the seed, grow, sleeping gardener, harvest, mustard seed, bush large, nesting birds, shade.
We are the heart.
The smallest seed puts for the largest branches.
Mystery, secret, look, perceive, listen, understand, forgiven, hungry hearts, longing, bread of life, mighty wind, join in the journey.
We are the heart.
We are the Elders
We are the elders.
Mentors in my life, Aunt Mary, Minister, Auntie Mame.
Fr Remi, Sylvia Dunstan, John Lloyd, Stan Mackai, Alf Dumont, Evan Smith, Roy Robson.
Listen to the voice of the people.
Story, request, Samuel, consent, prophetic, vocation, power, select, cry out, dissuade, cry out, anoint.
We are the elders.
Give us a king.
Set the stage, monarchy, community, life of Israel, king, govern, God alone, judges, elders, priests, God’s will, paradigm of Rule.
We are the elders.
Our Inner nature is being renewed.
Narrative, stage, beginning, monarchy, highlight, corrupt, earthly king, govern, elders, priests, God’s will, paradigm, absolute, radical.
We are the elders.
The crowd came together.
Read, drama, discernment, house, eat dinner, frenzied crowd, close to the man, family, bring him home, afraid, kingdom, opaque and open, plunder, message, rejection, relentless, this is my family.
We are the elders.
Whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother.
Name my experience, demonstration, deep south, wrestled, civil rights, way forward, find freedom, conflict.
We are the elders.
We are the Seraphim
When have you seen an angel?
A witness,
Testimony.
I remember arriving in Carlingford.
The oyster whisperer, the leprechaun whisperer.
The White Witch whisperer.
Seraphs were in attendance.
Isaiah, temple, vision, passage, Trinity, mystery, authority, holy, sanctuary, three persons.
We are the seraphi
Whom shall I send?
Understand, confessing, three persons, polytheism, rival, divide, mystery’s, belief.
We are the seraphim.
It is the Spirit bearing witness.
Wonderful, promise, children, deities, future, discover/ communicate, needy people.
We are the seraphim.
Nicodemus came to Jesus by night.
Nicodemus, one night, Pharisees, secret, fear, admirer, Jesus, progress intrigue.
We are the seraphim.
For God so loved the world.
Towering trees, source of life, roots, birth, seeds, roots, embrace, the wind, new, eyes, kingdom of communion, giving of life, giver, living, reality, life eternal.
We are the seraphim.
We are the Fire
We are the fire.
Ignition control, firestarter.
The hand of the Lord.
Israel’s prophets, Ezekiel, source of hope. exiled, Egypt, Babylon, fall of the kingdom Judah, destruction, Jerusalem, the temple, vision, led, spirit.
We are the fire.
Come from the four winds.
Delivers, prophecy, bones, lo, behold, divine, command, breath, minds eye, mission, faithful love, valley of bones.
We are the fire.
Tongues of fire appeared.
Birthday, church, empower, devout, all nations, language, speak, promise, receive power, visions, prophesy, all ages.
We are the fire.
When the advocate comes.
Promise, collision, love, hatred, chosen, lay down life, abide, God love, confront.
We are the fire.
I still have many things to say to you.
Science, aware, rational, revelation, way, truth, paraclete, truth, grace, beauty, life.
Guide, presence, glory.
We are the fire.
We are the Map
We are the map.
Cartographer.
Navigator.
Look for the signs, over the hill, around the corner.
Restore the Kingdom.
The bridge, excellent, patron, standing, community, endorse, chosen, teach.
We are the map.
Wait for the promise.
Narration, link, cry out, agency, source, possible, kingdom, promise.
We are the map.
I have heard of your faith.
Thanksgiving, announces, order, knowledge, authorities, the world, unfolding, revelation, revolution, gift, presence, prayer, action, reveal.
We are the map.
These are my words.
Vault, symbol, chi rohos, solemn, symbols, ascension, perspective.
We are the map.
You have been clothed with power.
Bang, ceaseless, blessing, confront bitter, resist, persecution, stormy seas, hardships, blessing, empower, celebrate, eternal benediction.
We are the map.
We are the Water
We are the water.
The water of Harrington Harbour,
The water of Saskatchewan,
The water of the Jordan,
The water Cudmore Creek,
We are the water.
Heard the word.
Gentile, holy spirit, fell, Jerusalem, interrupt, preaching, mediate, proclaimed, circle, day dawns, lift their voices.
We are the water.
The water for baptizing.
Peters’ vision, smorgasbord, beyond the law, custom, vision, voice, God made clean.
We are the water.
We love the children of God.
Interweaving of faith, love, boundaries, holism, love, world, identity of Christ.
Love, bound to believing, thorny specifics, love each other.
We are the water.
This is my commandment.
All you need is love, can’t we just get along, love is gift from God, love is ambiguous and assertive.
We are the water.
Lay down one’s life for friends.
I do not call your servants, everything made known, leave, dignity, commitment, affection.
The story, the community, our present lives, I choose you, life, joy, friendship chosen
We are the water.
We are the Road
We are the road.
We were travelling the road to Hebron.
The place of the Ancient Kings of Judah.
The road to adventure.
The road to home.
The Angel spoke, “Get up and go”.
Spirit of God, act, teach, messenger, get, go, the south, runs, chariot, treasury, understand, read aloud.
We are the road.
They were going along the road.
Ethiopian, identity, time, Solomon, Queen of Sheba, nature, in light, dichotomies, us, them, all.
We are the road.
Love is from God.
Begin, in love, perfected, through love, return to love, God is love, hunger to possess.
We are the road.
I am the true vine.
Doctrines, fruits, essential, discipleship, fruit bearing activity, church, something we are part of, living community, each branch, planted, creator.
The Word abides in you.
Jesus calls, because we are, I am, do good works, bear fruit, vine, community. Mission, love in action, radical presence,
We are the road.
We are the Key
We are the key.
The password, the keys, lost, found.
Pray to Saint Anthony, the password is:
Jesus is the stone.
Peter’s audience, apostleship, Roman Empire crucified Christ, repentance, preaches repent, denial, oppression, fear, denial, messiah, power of life.
We are the key.
By the power you do this.
Oppressed people of Israel, leaders, civil rights movement, transformation.
We are the key.
God’s love abides.
Love is known, in action, in our heart, sacrifice, test of love, truth.
We are the key.
I am the good shepherd.
Good shepherd, sheep, the voice, in sheep, other sheep, I am.
We are the key
I lay down my life.
Gathering, the flock, provide space, welcome, grace, mercy, surrender, alienation, invitation.
We are the key.
We are the Village
We are the village
I remember the first village that I entered as child, the village of Islington in Etobicoke
Village means “inhabited place larger than a hamlet but smaller than a town”, from Old French village “houses and other buildings in a group”
Go Into the village
Jesus movement, destiny, tradition, messiahship, ride into Jerusalem, invites, triumphal entry, meet a violent death, challenge, opponents, letting go, will of God, things to come, in the village
We are the village
Blessed is the Coming Kingdom of David
Irony, telling the story, reader, hearer, enters Jerusalem, last time, this is the road, road to death, ears to hear
We are the village
Living in the world, attention, questions, answers, hand shortened, power to deliver, bold, God’s hand grows, power to deliver, vindicate
He humbled himself
The same mind, Christ hymn, portrait, imitate, Kenosis, self-emptying, humiliation, exaltation, who is Jesus, Christ life, nature and call of the Church
We are the village
“Listen, he is calling for Elijah.”
Tale of sorrow, power to disrupt our lives, transform our hearts, Jesus death, not the end, discern, meaning, my God my God why have you forsaken me, into your hands, commend, it is finished
We are the village
Sit here while I pray
Proclaim, the story is the focus, language, image, door way, holy week, open’s people’s ears, resonate, deepen
We are the village
We are Jerusalem
We are Jerusalem
The days are coming
New covenant, good news, written on the hearts, perfect love, give assurance
We are Jerusalem
I will write it on their hearts
Renewed, moral consciousness, grace, view of God, liberates, redeems
We are Jerusalem
He became the source
Jesus is the anointed one, Christ’s work, Priest and King.
We are Jerusalem
The hour has come raising of Lazarus, Mary anointing Jesus’ feet
We are Jerusalem
I will draw all people
Non violent, draws all humanity
We are Jerusalem
We are the Eyes
We are the eyes.
We see the first time. In the season we witness the daffodil sighting at the Manor.
On this Mountain.
Victory, promise, reign, judgement, nations, oracles, vision, stand with love, day of the Lord, reign of Peace, the messiah.
We are the eyes.
Make a feast for all people.
Visible sign, hand of the Lord, rest on the mountain, nations, removing the shroud, bringing comfort/make a feast.
We are the eyes.
Christ appeared.
Resurrection, raised on the third day, Christ died for us.
We are the eyes.
Mary Magdalene came to the tomb.
Stories of resurrection, John’s story, vivid, gripping, suspense, powerful emotions, earth story, roll the stone away, struggle, relationship, stood beside, risen, walk around.
We are the eyes.
I have seen the Lord.
Empty tomb, old story, Easter story, the story, shout again.
We are the eyes.
We are the Seventh Day
We are the Seventh Day
The day of completion
Day of rest, time of pause, sabbatical
Memories of Ireland
We are the Seventh Day
God spoke these words
Moses, two tables, tent commandments, origin, ark, covenant, Jewish, Christian, human life, order, structure, tree of life, tree of knowledge, Sinai
We are the Seventh Day
Remember the Sabbath
Beyond moral principles, live before God, live with one another, love God, love neighbour, love self
We are the Seventh Day
It is written
Stand back, how faith looks, divine action, Christian Symbol, demonstration of God’s power, paradox, powerlessness, project salvation
We are the Seventh Day
Believe the word Jesus had spoken
Cleansing of the temple, seven signs, water into wine, grace, truth, identity, disciple
We are the Seventh Day
Be the Temple
Glimpse, challenge, seek, think, deed, life, light, whole story, temple, open door, open way
We are the Seventh Day
We are the Whirlwind
We are the whirlwind.
I remember a whirlwind in Saskatchewan, it was a great big cloud, at first glance, the thought that was a rain cloud, that was so desperately needed at the time, at second glance, it was a brown dust cloud, rising 500 m or 1500 ft in the air.
Take Elijah up to heaven.
Gap, prophetic, continuity, transfer, spiritual leadership, era, succession in between times, flow of time. Constancy, infinite, finite humanity, faithful response, unknown, unknowable, departure, durable/ divine human encounter, unrelenting time, lasting, everlasting.
We are the Whirlwind.
I will not leave you.
End of Elijah’s era, change is on its way, calls out in grief, vulnerability, Augustine time and eternity, God unbound, crossing the Jordan, always right time, not in bondage to any clock.
We are the whirlwind
Let light shine out of darkness.
Knowledge of God, reliable, pre-modern, postmodern, pure, objective, death and resurrection evil age coming to an end, catastrophe, apocalyptic, inaugurate, God’s realm reveal.
We are the whirlwind
Led them up a high mountain,
Who is Jesus, who are we, Elijah, first, restore, John the Baptist Redivivus of Elijah.
We are the whirlwind.
This is Jesus, listen to him.
Transport us to many, Theophany’s, faith communities, safe places, members and seekers, Jesus identity, discipleship, integrity.
We are the whirlwind.
We are the Blessing
We are the blessing.
We meet blessings every day of our lives, in the hidden corners and the centre of the road.
I remember my uncle Joe Mastandrea in Newmarket Hospital, on his death bed from cancer. Would you like to a prayer? He said yes, I will pray for you.
God met Abraham and Sarah in the centre of their road to proclaim, walk before me.
We are invited to walk with God in relationship, as people and the nations of the world, to redeem, to reconcile. We are invited to plant the promise of divine freedom and to receive and offer divine blessings.
Abraham and Sarah stood, come here and go away with grace.
A window to divine love and faith opened to faithfulness and restitution to declare in the barren valley the fertile crossroad.
I will bless you to be a blessing.
To be the covenant and commandment, in Israel and the world.
I will bind you in history to restore humanity, with your ancestors and descendants to bring justice.
The particular justice to deal with humanity by the mighty hand and outstretched arm, to acknowledge the blameless gift, to be the numerous peace of deliverance and hope.
Paul proclaims the promise of Abraham is the hope that rests on grace.
The traditions, the gift for the children of Abraham is the promise of God for all the nations.
Jesus, the child of Abraham and Sarah, began to teach.
In the question and answer the hinge marking life today and the urgency to heal the diseased, disabled, and the troubled people.
He fed, walked, stood up to criticism, reached out. “Who do you say that I am?”
For those who lose their life will save it.
Peter’s rebuke is human thought, power and might, of the crown of the person.
Deny self, take up the cross, confront the Romans, be a disciple speak messiah.
God with us now, the kingdom of heaven planted in our heart today.
We are the Bow
We are the bow
Bent or arched
We are the bow
The bow is seen in the clouds
Flood story, uncreation, preserve, remnant, re-establish, cosmos, flood, humanity, disorder, order, violence, polluted the earth, destroy, the destroyers, drown in watery, chaos, sealed covenant
We are the bow
Establish my covenant with you
God, new covenant, postflood, descendants, new agreement, the law of tooth and claw, boundaries, God sets, war bow, see it, remember, restraining order, remember the vow
We are the bow
God waited patiently in the days of Noah
Community, salvation, imprisoned, baptism, ark of hope, household, imperishable, suffering persevering
We are the bow
He saw the Heavens torn apart
Tempted, liminal space, thrust, society, confront norms, rite of passage/holding on letting go
We are the bow
And the Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness
Message, flesh, bones, kingdom of God, repentance, sound, God smell, lent listeners
We are the bow
We are the Hearers
Have you not heard?
Invited, contemplate, relation, humanity, magnitude, God’s power, weaves, threads, tapestry, mark off the heavens, dust of the earth, arms of strength, drop from a bucket, fine dust on the scales, circle of the earth, words of hope, grasp God’s power, wait for the lord, renew their strength
We are the hearers
The LORD shall renew their strength
First glance, stand up, powerful Lord, world moves, filled with riches, spoken, hearers, constancy, flower of the field, exiles, captivity, scattered, laid to waste, refugees, longed for Jerusalem, by the rivers of Babylon
We are the hearers
I may make the gospel free of charge
Performing, God, given, task, prophetic, proclaim good news
We are the hearers
He came and took her by the hand and lifted her up
Synagogue, the house, Jesus leaves, disciples, the house of Simon, Jesus grabs the woman’s handraised her up, expression, paschal evocation
We are the hearers
She began to serve them
Everyone is searching
Jesus prays, deserted, tempted, time of searching, Jesus prayer, precious moments, everyone is searching, temptation, choose between healing and preaching
We are the hearers
We are the Voice
We are the voice
More than words
Michelle Obama and Kamala Harris.
Amanda Gorman.
Hear the voice of the Lord
Moses death, prophet, face to face, liberation, mediator, YHWH, mountain fire, speak to Israel afraid of fire
We are the voice
Raise up a prophet
One who is called, one who calls, moral ethical agent, summon, people, covenant, participation, hope, promise, revelation, encounter, actions, justice and mercy
We are the voice
Known by God
Knowledge, worshipping idols, taboo, idolatry, preliminary, ultimacy, society and culture, we know that all of us possess knowledge, worship, philosophy, knowing, God
We are the voice
Be silent come out of him
Fishers, kingdom campaign, inviting, notice, great ones, desolate places, far away, kingdoms of this world, model, gospel, synagogue, house, the leper, paralytic, publican
We are the voice
A new teaching–with authority!
Unnamed sick person, unclean spirits, medicine, magic, cure, miracle, Jesus teaching, astonishing, speaking, healing, Jesus speak, powerful, performative, words infused with power, new teaching, new preaching, now, not just information.
We are the voice
We are the message. I will make you fishers.
We are the Message
We are the message
Have you heard. Spread the word.
A child is born, a person dies, a stranger needs help
Knock on doors, once Paul revere said, “The British are coming”
Vaccine is coming, prepare
Proclaim the Message
Jonah, God’s summons, go, Nineveh, stormy sea, reluctantly, mission, forty days, prophet, human response, call of God, deflect, deliver, call to Israel, Gentile Ninevite
We are the message
A three days walks
Reversals, human, divine, save, flee, stormy sea, persist, prevail, protest, rescinds, authority, reprieve, feel compassion, human desire, sin, God’s mercy
We are the message
The present form of the world is passing away
Relationships, rise, time, grown short, this world, passing, mourn, rejoice, buy, sell, give,
We are the message
The time is fulfilled
Beginning, proclamation, creates, work of Christ, good news, declaration, God’s victory, liberation, restoration, reconciliation, miracles, casting out demons, trajectory, return,
We are the message
I will make you fish for people
Follow, fishing for people, new identity, fish for people, promise, discipleship, identity, Jesus teaching, rebuking unclean spirits, search for Jesus, in the shadow, lives unfold,
We are the message
We are the listening moment
We are the Listening Moment
We are the listening moment
Sheer silence
The COVID miracle – I run, run, run, and pray 16 km five days a week
It is the sound of silence
The word of the Lord
Epiphany, manifestation, child Samuel, filled with wisdom, divine call, human response, sacred service
We are the listening moment
Speak, for your servant is listening
Call of God, prophetic, delayed recognition, God’s voice, spiritual intimacy, divine urgency, God knows my name, immediate response, summoned, vocation, course of action
We are the listening moment
Become one Spirit with God
Faithful living, marriage, food for thought, intimacy, respect, dignity
We are the listening moment
Follow me
Call of the disciples, flesh and blood, incarnation, paradox, identity, invitation, thirsty, hungry, messiah, Nazareth
We are the listening moment
You will see heaven opened
Jesus and people/ good news/ discipleship/ speak about jesus/ life in the congregation/ life in community/ speak along the way/ live into the testimony/ Christology/ relationship/ braided journeys
We are the listening moment
A new year. Let us be the light!
We are the Light
We are the light
Spelunker- first light, first day, first breath
In the beginning
Creation, manifestation dependence, character of God, actions
The first day
Climax, creation ex nihilo, creation out of nothing, humans, divine image, imago dei, creative word
Creation, void, dark deep, creation is God
We are the light
Receive the Holy Spirit
Alexandrian Jew, baptism of John, John Repentance, spoke in Tongues, prophesied
We are the light
Baptized by the River Jordan
Indispensable, drama, intentions of God, human nature, preacher, prophet, promise, expectation
We are the light
A Voice came from heaven
Heavens, open, transfigure, discipleship, taste and see, God word, song, sacrament, bask in love.
We are the light
We are the Crown
We are the crown
You shall be a crown of beauty
Salvation, song of the vineyard, watch tower, justice, cries of distress, harvest of justice, shoots garden, spring
We are the crown
He has clothed me with garments of salvation
Vindication, restoration, new name, mouth of the Lord, promise, a new thing, sing a new song, new heaven and new earth, destruction of Jerusalem, promise of new beginnings
We are the crown
God has sent the Spirit
God’s grace, redeeming, good news, redemptive action
We are the crown
A pair of turtle doves
Fulfill the letter of Jewish law, family bringing, new born child, to the temple, to make a sacrifice, mark a birth, consecrate a child
We are the crown
The child grew and became strong
Child of promise, obligation to care, all children are a gift to the world, create a society, positive regard for struggling parents
We are the crown
Take your stand, Love Wins
We are the Star
We are the Star – convergence of Saturn and Jupiter
Take your stand
Take your stand, saved, hold firm, the word
We are the star
A shoot shall come
A shoot, stump, Jesse, spirit, knowledge, delight. Justice for the poor, wolf live with the lamb, knowledge of God
We are the star
Stand and shepherd
Ancient, stand, strength, live, be our peace
We are the star
The word became flesh
The word, became flesh, among us, testify, light, the voice, in the wilderness
We are the star
God sent Gabriel
Gabriel, greetings
We are the star
Do not be afraid
Shepherds, angel, appeared, do not be afraid, good news, born, saviour, swaddling clothes, heavenly host, manger, peace
We are the star
Go to Bethlehem, Mary and Joseph, spread the word, child
We are the star
Saw a star
Where is the child, saw the star, opened their treasures
We are the star
Return to their country by another route
We are the star
We are the Home, Merry Christmas, Love Wins!
We are the Home
We are the home
I will appoint a place for my people
Bring the threads, saga, peace, stability, build a house for God, build a house of him, God’s presence overflows from the temple, prevenient grace
We are the home
I will plant the people
Meets the eye, Babylonian captivity, there was no rest, no house, no king, the lament, God’s presence
We are the home
God strengthens us
Start with God, end with God, benediction, revelation, mystery, kerygma, paranesis, who is God, God is able, God’s actions, God’s doing, God is a verb, thy will be done
We are the home
The Angel Gabriel was sent by God
Mary, annunciation, incarnation, angel Gabriel, favoured, perplexed, thoughtful, afraid, submission, blessed one, called by God, God bearer, Mary’s election
We are the home
Do not be afraid, you have found favour with God.
Holy inbreaking, messenger, bright column of light, nothing will be impossible, being favoured by God, God chooses Mary, the magnificat, Reign of Justice, Mary response, wellspring of living water
We are the home
Good news, liberty to the captives
We are the Word
We are the word
Logos
Agora – the Library in Alexandria
Robarts Library
My library as a child. My father planted the book seed in my heart
Like a silver tongue of old, where the words come alive when we bring breath to our voice
The Spirit of the Lord is upon us
Salvation, mission, healing, liberty, release, comfort
We are the word
Good news liberty to the captives
Year of the Lord’s favour, jubilee year, debts wiped away, freed, fields in fallow, land returned, original owners, restored, abundant garden, nations of the world, recognition, deliverance promise, new Jerusalem, living, being, missional
We are the word
Pray without ceasing
Live in light, imminent, expectation, Christ’s return, tradition, affirming, positive, beloved, nurse tenderly caring for her own children
We are the word
John testified to the light!
Testify, light of the world, word, logos, human, walked, John and Jesus, sent by God, witness, God within, temporal, cosmos, embodied God, loving kindness and Justice
We are the word
The voice in the wilderness
Hope, relationship, God is now, God comes to us, God within, Living pages of the dead sea scrolls, listeners
We are the word
We are the quilt, who cries, YOU BELONG!
We are the Bee
We are the Bee
Beehive
Comfort, o comfort my people
God’s judgement, grace, forgiveness, almighty, omnipotent, love, hope, amidst disaster, uncertainty, exile, homecoming, cities lie in waster, desolate, without inhabitant, houses without people, emptiness, the land
We are the Bee
A voice cries.
Message, comfort, promise, redemption, community, deceive, reveal, prepare the way
We are the Bee
Waiting for hastening the coming of the day of God.
Time, the when, return of Christ, waiting, expectation, GREAT EXPECTATIONS
We are the Bee
See I am sending my messenger
Siege, peace, anxious, neighbours, fear, loyalists, symbol, good news, beginning, messiah
We are the Bee
The one is coming is more powerful
John’s call, repent, ears, listen, longing, temptation, linger, Jesus grew up, gift to anticipate, one who is to come, present moment
We are the Bee
We are the mountain, awakened to be the “Yes” for today!
We are the Mountain
We are the Mountain
My first mountain moment
Whistler mountain in Jaspar, Mountains have memories, human memory, geological memory
The Mountains would quake
Character, redeeming, maker, deeds, divine, deliverance, rescue, visible, tear, open, heavens, come down, bring fire, earth quake, tremble, God’s presence
We are the Mountain
We are the clay, you are the potter
God belongs, take hold, become, again, protection, awakened, receive again, calling, God’s people, hiding, seeking, yes
We are the Mountain
God will also strengthen you
Intimate, relationship, God, community, witness, Jesus our brother, our Lord, our ancestor, our beloved, enlightened, living out the faith, en lo cotidano/testimony
We are the Mountain
But in those days, after that suffering
Futures, apocalyptic scene, predictions, God in our time, coming in clouds.
We are the Mountain
Beware, keep alert; for you do not know when the time will come
Signs, rule, arrived, already, not yet, realm of God, life in the realm
We are the Mountain
We are the Four Winds of welcome to the stranger.
We are the Four Winds
We are the Wisdom
We are the Wisdom
The wisest person I have ever known, my Aunt Mary (born in Italy, my dad’s oldest sister)
Told me a story of carrying a candle on a Vigil in Italy
At that time Deborah, was judging Israel.
Judge, Deborah, wise, raising up, faithful, leader, deliver, futile, deliverance, return, downward, spiral, moral, anarchy, sobering, journey, inability, inhabit, exhibit, social vision of Torah
We are the Wisdom
Go, take position
Weaves, what was right, in their own eyes, moral chaos, lack, strength, apology, rise, kingship, justification, centralized rule, observation, doing, habits, unfaithfulness, political instability
We are the Wisdom
The day of the Lord will come
Day, wakefulness, multivariant, day of the lord, Parousia, children of light, children of the day, belong to the day, keep awake, imagination, framing, relationship, identity, ontological
Christ as day or dawn, soul to life
We are the Wisdom
The person with five talents traded with them immediately
Talents, gifts, skills, resources, divine economy, bury, reveal, return, the future, meets the present, God has done, God will do
We are the Wisdom
For to all those who have, more will be given, and they will have an abundance
Greatest treasure, greatest talent, stewardship, fertile, the word, good news, relationship, breaks, break through, go, make, disciples, life changing treasure, knowing of a treasure, God is sovereign, indifference, hidden treasure, buried treasure, abundance
We are the Wisdom
We are the wisdom. We bring the left and right of our abundance.
We are the Witness
We are the witness. For everything there is a season,
We remember to gather .
I remember being the Chaplain of the Legion in Hearst Ontario.
The year, November 1989, 300 people marched from the arena to the Cenotaph at City Hall, there were many who were veterans that day.
We remember, long ago our ancestors. Today we hear in the Joshua text,
Renewal, covenant, relationship, affirmation, identity. commitment of service.
Today we hear, threshold, miracles, ancient memory to serve.
Today we hear, the covenant obligation to choose, beyond fear, incline the heart, to serve, and obey the Lord. Today we hear the call to serve the Lord, affirmation, loyalty, witness, write, words on the heart, delivered, accountability, hearing, writing, the book of the law, Today we hear the stone of witness.
Today we hear, be informed about the Parousia, coming, advent, judge, curiosity, speculation, end times/now times. Today we hear about the early church.
Today we share in glory that we encounter.
Today we hear, the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps,
Telling of Jesus, how to live. Today we hear that there will be wars, there will be persecutions, and heaven and earth shaken.
Today we hear at midnight there was a shout!
The essence is timing, timelessness, faith, love, beyond procrastination, active discipleship. Today we are witness to the ticking of the clock, renew priorities, active waiting in hope, right time, right now, messiah comes.
We are the witness.
We are the Saints
A Saint takes the broken as they are.
My friend Roy Robson, 87 years old, a painter, a musician, a teacher. A companion, who, takes me as I am, wherever we go.
Then there is Edna Mathews, 95 years old, knits hundreds of hats, mitts, and scarves, still drives, and manages her own home.
Finally, Mutya, a mother from the Philippines, brought three children to sponsor, then there was an oops. A daughter with a daughter.
We are the saints. In the writings of Revelation, there was a great multitude, white robes before the sacred throne. God heard the cries of the people, in the voice of oppression. God heard the fear in the vision of the people. These are they who have come out of the great ordeal.
These are they who heed the warning, follow the ways of God. These are they who meet the unjust world order beyond the Pax Romana. God with us, in the face of dethroned Caesar. These are they who inspired hope for a better world, heaven on earth. Salvation is now for people at the edge, to renew, to change, to care for the earth. These are they who meet the suffering in the life, to mend, to heal, and restore.
We are they, we are the children of God. We are they to be instruments of God’s creative love and forgiveness. Love is the word, give us strength, to encounter hardship, as children of God. We are of God, assured of freedom, become, God with us,
God with us who proclaims “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
It is the sermon on the mount. The place of purpose, ministry, character of the kingdom, communion of saints. Jesus mountain, echoes Sinai, receive the live, live the law of love.
Live and be the authority of kingdom of heaven now.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
Teresa of Avila a maker, a saint of today. .
We are the saints, the makers of today.
We are the Herald to mend the broken
We Are God’s People
We are God’s people
I know you by name
Revelation, known, enlightenment, authority, miracle, foot of the mountain, wilderness
We are God’s people
My presence will go with you
Human desire, inquiry, yearning, knowledge, quest for God, self-understanding, God in Exodus, self, real, roots, find favour, recognition, God’s character, God identity, human identity, destiny
We are God’s people
The word of God sounded forth from you
Personal, encounter, expectations, give thanks, advent, remembering, labour of love, creator, heaven, earth, turned to God, living God, service, free humanity, faith, hope, love
We are God’s people
Teach the way of God
Difficult, nature, relation, obedience, to the state, to God, civil religion, ethos, politics, Jesus, coalition of surrogates, name truth, tribute Caesar vs God
We are God’s people
Give to God the things that are God’s
Conscience, tapped, rendering, silent, face of Wars, torture, marriage for all, choice of women marijuana now, what to expect, actions of justice, faith in action, called to humanity
We are God’s people
We are the people, God knows us by name. Called to kick ass today.
We Are the Grace
We are the Grace
Be the open door, the porch at the Manor
God is bringing you
Good land, flowing, springs, waters, hills and valleys
We are the Grace
God leads through the wilderness
Land of olives and honey, stones are iron, eat, take care, keep commandments, eat, build,
Through wilderness, remember God
We are the Grace
Sow bountifully, reap abundance
Sparingly, bountifully, give, mind, compulsion, cheer, give, blessings, share, work, with poor, scatters, generosity, thanksgiving, render, testing, grace
We are the Grace
Jesus, have mercy on us
On the way, region between lepers, keeping their distance, mercy, go and show, made clean, praise God, get up and go
We are the Grace
Get up and go on your way
And he was Samaritan, the unlikely, the chosen to be, The return, your faith made well
We are the Grace
We are the Grace. Be the open door, the porch at the Manor.
We Are the Sabbath
The year was 2011. 60 on Pilgrimage, three Sabbath Friday, Saturday and Sunday
God Spoke these words
Challenge, commands, preach the commandments, preach the gospel, do not engage in war, your sins are forgiven, proclamation, risk, courage YES
We are the Sabbath
Remember the Sabbath
Attitude, commands, forgive, command, radical, heart of good news, name mangled human nature,seek God’s healing
We are the Sabbath
Become like Christ
Reflection, life, transforming, Saul to Paul, observance,gift of the Torah, conversion, before and after, take on, liberation, freedom, partners, with creator of the universe, covenant
We are the Sabbath
Listen to another parable
Parable, guiding, reflection, unlock, unhinder, the reign of Christ
We are the Sabbath
The Stone has become the chief cornerstone
The stone, build up, removes pride, prejudice, sin, selfishness, greed, guilt, equip us with love, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, self control, “The world you desire comes not by chance but by change.“
Strive to live together, peace
We are the Sabbath
We Are the Water
I remember a 20 km cattle drive in the month of July, all we had was a Canteen of warm water, it was delicious
Give us water
Is God with us? Read in the bible, experience, in the desert. Are we alone?
We are the Water
Strike the Rock
People made demands of Moses, out in the desert, beyond the wilderness, no water in sight, give us water to drink! We feel so abandoned or alone or despondent, we find God beside us.
We are the Water
Make my joy complete
Speak the intensity, testing in extremes, strategy, communicate with urgency, kenotic, participation in the spirit, consolation from love, fellowship, compassion, sympathy, koinonia.
We are the Water
Go in the work today.
Seek to understand, enter the city on a donkey the day before, the temple the centre of religious life.
We are the Water
Going into the kingdom
Engaging Jesus, identity, call to faith, bear witness to Jesus, call us to join the people at the edge
We are the Water
We are the water of courage.
We Are the Bread
Learned to make bread from scratch in Grade 6 Home Economics Class
It starts with yeast/ then Harrington Harbour
I am going to rain bread from heaven
God Provides for needs., Manna Is Not Enough, grumbling, complained, lamented, God’s deliverance, freedom from fleshpots, fill of bread
We are the Bread
The Lord heard your complaining
Fleshpots, liberated, relationship with God, griper, murmurings, rain bread, gather for the day, 6th day, 7th day the Sabbath day, fill of bread in the morning, salvation in the Exodus, manna, glory of God
We are the Bread
Live your life in a manner worthy of the gospel
Eager expectation, hope, exalted body – soma, hope for heaven, comfort, flesh, fruitful labour, freedom
We are the Bread
The usual daily wage
Early workers, left everything, follow, converts, relationship to Israel, perennial struggle, lions share of God’s work, carry the weight, what kind of God, same reward
We are the Bread
The last will be first
Work, out of work, inferior, waited all day, long hours of work, demanding jobs, secure necessities of life, complaint of the day long workers, made them equal, God’s new order, unmaksing and envisioning, create possibility something new
We are the Bread
We are the bread, of hope.
We Are the Hand
Palm touching palm, We are the Hand
The Angel of God was going before them
Escape, great promise, take on the world, prepared, emerge, encamped, surrounded, on the brink, way of faith
We are the Hand
Moses stretched out his hand over the sea
Alone, self-determined, the story, deliverance, harden hearts, purpose, reveal, humanity, presence
We are the Hand
God welcomes all
Judgement, weak, strong, pivotal, protects, fellowship, controversy, issues, passionate, confused, uniting
We are the Hand
How often should I forgive?
Theological, nature of God, time to forgive, servant, brewing, perennial, quest, Forgive always
We are the Hand
Forgive seventy seven times
Story, shock, startle, awakens, consequence, gratitude, ridiculous, turn on, perspective of grace
We are the Hand
We Are the Day
The Lord Said to Miriam and Moses
Miracle, Exodus, God looked, God noticed, liberation, take action, crying oppressed, God Listens, set free.
We are the day
This Month shall mark the beginning of months
Groaning, proving, Moses, shepherd, keeping, flock, rebellion, guide, slavery no more, confront power
We are the day
Owe no one anything, except to love one another
Owe love, Agape-Love of the other for the sake of God, identity, love defines attitude, love has two feet, love God, love neighbour, God has become the neighbour
We are the day
Listen to every word that you speak to each other
Jesus, life in the church, lead as a child, serve, boundless forbearance, forgive, nature of church, welcome me, welcome a child, each member, great value
We are the day
For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them.”
Forgive, teaching, restore, repent, reconcile, power, bind, loose, care, divine identity, sense of Call, seek to care
We are the day
We Are the Fire
The Angel appeared in a flamer of fire
Miracle, Exodus, God looked, God took notice, God saw, oppression, suffering, God, Liberation
God observation, Construction, Moses, Action, Moses was groaning, slavery, oppressed, crying out to God, God set them free
We are the fire
The place on which you are standing is holy ground
Groaning, providing, experience, shepherd, keeping, flock, rebellion, Pharoah’s army, constructs of power, search for the God Mountain, led flock, hinder part, Moses goes on pilgrimage, warning sign, shepherding, seeking guidance
We are the fire
Let love be genuine
Ekklesia, community, called out, set apart, mission, relation to the world, narrative, way of living, inner life, surrounding world
We are the fire
Jesus went to Jerusalem
the cross, from that time on, martyrdom, misunderstanding, confession, redeem, climax, hope
We are the fire
For those who lose their life will find it
Transition, from that time on, dependent, embarks, long journey, passion, launches suffering, divine idenitity, fulfill divine missions, nature or mission of Christ
We are the fire
We Are the Midwives
Call the midwives
Opening, exodus, potent, portents, people, chosen, relationship, become a nation, midwives, Shiprah and Puah, baby Moses, preserving life, set free
We are the Midwives
The Midwives feared God
Threat, king does not know, Joseph saved Egypt from famine, bearer of the God spirit, Joseph was great now forgotten, weak king, shallow leadership, strength is in retelling the heritage, equal footing, the king rejects God, panic, live under duress, force to be reckoned
We are the Midwives
Be the living sacrifice
Apostle, teacher, confession, voice, nature, life and death challenge, voice of faith, community, faith in action
We are the Midwives
Blessed are you
Peter, affirmation, foreshadow, prophet, Jesus, who am I? Messiah, teacher, son of David, Samaritan, other and us and all, woman at the well, today
We are the Midwives
I will give you the Keys of the Kingdom
Identity, authority, preaching, divine, revelation, binding, loosing, interpret, understand, wrestle with truth, faith meets the world, tell no one, tell all
We are the Midwives
We Are the Preservers
We are the preservers
God sent me before you to preserve
The story, betrayal, surprise, forgiveness/ tears/ shame/ open future
We are the preservers
Joseph wept
Forgiveness, welcoming words, promise, new life, tears of joy, healing for the weary eye, promise of life and love
We are the preservers
The gifts and calling of God are here
Power, separate, together, chosen, new covenant
We are the preservers
Listen and understand
The man born to be the promise, deliverance, silent words, God’s mercy
We are the preservers
Let if be done for you as wish
Language, affirmation, humanity, radical grace, voice, inside the story, our story, truth
We are the preservers
Here Comes the Dreamer
Seeking the dreamer
Origin, land of Canaan, wandering, wilderness, destination, consequences, envy, roots, Joseph, hatred comes, shepherd, long robe, favoured status, dreams, bowing to the ground
Go now and see if all is well
Misery, offering, consequence, fugitive, wanderer on the earth, prohibited, violence, envy, desire, possessions, talents, violence, favoured position, unfair, purpose of God, envy, rebellion, Lord of the universe, God’s economy
WE ARE THE DREAMER
The Word is near you, on your lips and in your heart
Wrestling with fate, Christ is the fulfillment of the law,reconcile us to God, uniting us with God.
WE ARE THE DREAMER
Get into the Boat
God’s deliverance through waters, he came walking toward them on the sea, appearance of Jesus, in the storm
WE ARE THE DREAMER
Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.
Lord save me, Jesus reached out his hand, why did Peter doubt?, a little faith is all that is needed, to transform/ terror becomes courage on the way
WE ARE THE DREAMER
We Are the Wrestlers
We are the wrestlers
Wrestling with thought, life, day and night
Jacob wrestled till daybreak
Forgiveness, rehabilitation, crossing, a challenging river, nature of blessing,11 children, Leah and Rachel, wrestling with the road
We are the wrestlers
You have striven with God
Capitulates, violence, persistence, draw near to God, slake a thirst, compelling, restoration community, running toward his brother and weeping, gift of grace, baptism of desire divine recognition
We are the wrestler
I am speaking the truth in Christ
Paul’s existential struggles, steadfast mercy of God, reconciliation with God
We are the wrestlers
He withdrew from there in a boat
Miracle to gladden, trick with bread, spiritual power, hungry crowd, stranded, lonely are fed, craving for Christ, meal for the masses stones into bread
We are the wrestlers
He blessed and broke the loaves
Think nothing, yet possibilities are infinite, look up to heaven, give them something to eat, powerless no more, redemptive drama, teaching and miracle, Jesus story is the grand story.
We are the wrestlers
We Are the Guarantee
We are the Guarantee
I will serve you seven years
Appears, journey, fleeing, threat, travelling, pivotal, encounters, birth, tribes of Israel
We are the Guarantee
Jacob loved Rachel
Treachery, failure, human plans, providence, narrative, affirmation, divine message, bethel, omnipotence, reversals, fortune’s, power, human love, reveal, God love
We are the Guarantee
The Spirit helps us in our weakness
Debtors, account, live,hope, hiddenness, relieve suffering, wait, patience, weight, salvation, for knowledge, calling, response, action, living compassion
We are the Guarantee
The kingdom is like a net
Subversion, sorting, sorting, fish, God’s empire, mustard seed, preparation, fermenting, heaven, within the world
We are the Guarantee
The Kingdom of Heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls
Mustard seed, invades, soil, boundaries, something new, hidden within, give church, chance
We are the Guarantee
We Are the Ladder
We are the Ladder,
The angels were ascending and descending
Promise, rock for a pillow, awakes, fathers and mothers, standing above the ladder, God is at the top and bottom of the ladder, heaven and earth, theophany’s, meet at the top
We are the Ladder,
all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God.
Dwells in you, spirituality unleashed, mysticism, seek unity, transcend, ill fated Icarus, fixing the spirit life
We are the Ladder,
When do the weeds come in
Seed, sown, disciples, challenges of planting, the enemy, ecclesiology, anthropology
We are the Ladder,
Let anyone with ears listen
We are the ladder
Mixture of weeds, growing together, judgement at the end of time, good and evil, faith and faithfulness, look at the hurting and impatient world, God’s realm completed, this realm thriving in us
We are the Ladder.
