Easter

This is the one minute version of the poem:

So, it’s Easter time again
That’s why we gather for prayers and songs
Most of us are Christian
But maybe you got dragged along.

Now there’s four versions of this story
which might be a clue
that we need to learn to live with difference.
At least that’s what I reckon,
I don’t know about you

We can call Jesus “Lord, Lord!”
And he won’t be that pleased
Unless we’ve fed and clothed and protected
all the “least of these”
Maybe the ones on Manus Island
Maybe all the refugees
Maybe those who will be flooded out
In a world of two degrees.

What’s that got to do with Easter?
Well that’s up to me and you
We can just “believe” in Resurrection
or we can try to live it too.

So, whether you think there were
men or angels or both.
And Jesus is sitting on a cloud
or still wrapped up in his shroud

And he was sent as the Son
or adopted for his obedience
And he only spoke in parables
or gave great Johannine speeches.

If you think they shared a supper,
or he washed their feet, or both
I don’t really care.

I want to know if you think the Spirit is here
amongst us, as we gather in his name,
as we hear the call “go forth,”
and together walk his Way
of love for God, ourselves, and others.
Not just sisters and brothers
but enemies too

If you want to leave the world a better place
Then know that I do too.
Let’s live Resurrection together
Because there’s plenty left to do.

The more I do two-minute poems, the less tolerant I am of sermons which are mostly filler.  This short rhyming sermon was shared with the very gracious Gleniffer Community church down the road, where I preach once a month, back in 2019 when we could actually meet in church.

So, it’s Easter time again
That’s why we gather for prayers and songs
Most of us are Christian
But maybe you got dragged along.

Now there’s four versions of this story
which might be a clue
that we need to learn to live with difference.
At least that’s what I reckon,
I don’t know about you

Five versions if you count Paul,
as Christians tend to do.
We wouldn’t be here without him,
all Christians would still be Jews

They disagree on what happened
but agree on what to do.

We can call Jesus “Lord, Lord!”
And he won’t be that pleased
Unless we’ve fed and clothed and protected
all the “least of these”
Maybe the ones on Manus Island
Maybe all the refugees
Maybe those who will be flooded out
In a world of two degrees.
of global warming.
(Climate change if you prefer)
Because the scientists are warning
that we’re not even 1/5 of the way
to keeping the climate safe
according to our global commitments as of today.

And our Prime Minister asks us to pray
For rain
To Mr Fixit in the sky
But why?
After World War One and Two,
and I could continue.
Wouldn’t it be strange if God intervened
on climate change?

Came down here to fix the weather
Or sucked all the carbon up to heaven
to make it all better?

Prayers for rain are surely vanity
unless they drop the fossil fuel subsidy.

What’s this got to do with Easter?
Well that’s up to me and you
We can just “believe” in Resurrection
or we can try to live it too.

Whether you believe a physical Jesus
flew up into the clouds
and is somewhere out in space,
or instead in something spiritual
which inspired those who took his place

One thing is clear.

If we claim the Spirit is here
and out there,
and that God loves the world
and that we should too,
then Resurrection isn’t just what we believe-
It’s what we do.

So, whether you think there were men or angels
or both.
And Jesus is sitting on a cloud
or still wrapped up in his shroud
And he was sent as the Son
or adopted for his obedience
And he only spoke in parables
or gave great Johannine speeches.
If you think they shared a supper,
or he washed their feet, or both
I don’t really care.

I want to know if you think the Spirit is here
amongst us, as we gather in his name,
as we hear the call “go forth,”
and together walk his Way
of love for God, ourselves, and others.
Not just sisters and brothers
but enemies too

If you want to leave the world a better place
Then know that I do too.
Let’s live Resurrection together
Because there’s plenty left to do.

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