Reflections

Easter 4 Who is the Good Shepherd? The fourth Sunday in Eastertide is traditionally set aside as Good Shepherd Sunday. When I think of The Good Shepherd, my mind goes straight to three Shepherds. The Master who is THE Shepherd. The other two are our Diocesan Bishops, Bishop Scott and Bishop Gary. Most of their...Continue reading→

4/5/25 Of Agape and Philo I want to look at the detail of the questions Jesus asks St. Peter. To get under the skin of what’s happening here, we need to know that, in Greek, there are a few different words for ‘love’. In English, we only have the one word, but in Greek, there...Continue reading→

Procrastination = BIGGER NUMBERS Those of you who read my reflection last week would be aware that my Lenten challenge this year was to get on the bathroom scales on Easter Day and look at the numbers 68.5. How hard can it be, right? So, how did I go? Not too bad as it turns...Continue reading→

Tsk Tsk Thomas The usual homily for Easter two is often a bit of a slap on the wrist for poor old Thomas. He was obviously snoozing and snoring when the Lord first appeared, and thus, the self-righteous preacher will warn his flock against the sin of sloth. Then, when Thomas is told about the...Continue reading→

Setting the Bar at 68.5 This year, I tried something different for Lent. My dream weight has always been 68.5 kilos. It’s what my doctor says is about right, and my clothes fit well. Each morning, I weigh myself, squint and mutter unrepeatable words. Certainly, words that do not belong here in the cyber /...Continue reading→

Easter Day April 20 ‘See you there’ Dear Mary Magdalene, The bizarre events on Friday afternoon must have been bewildering and excruciating for you. I did notice that you were there and while you may not think that you were doing much you just being there meant everything to me. Sometimes it’s just a matter...Continue reading→

Good Friday 18/4/25 3 cheers for the grumpy crim The usual path for the preacher when contrasting the two criminals on the cross is to side with the good/bad guy. You know… the one who called out the grumpy crim and asked to be taken to paradise. Here are the good/bad guy’s lines “Don’t you...Continue reading→

15/4 Somewhere, theres a coffin with my name on it One of the enormous and undeserved privileges I have is to offer eucharist and prayers at a funeral. Sometimes I haven’t known the person for all that long and certainly never as Iong as I would have liked. Sometimes a relationship has been established and...Continue reading→

Palm Sunday 13/4/25 To Rupert Studmaster Purveyor of fine beasts for sacrifice and personal use Bethphage  Dear Rupert, I thought that I had lost you forever because of our conversation. But my fear that I might never see you again was actually unfounded. I have glimpsed you in the crowds from time to time and...Continue reading→

Of The Spire If you have looked skywards then you will have noticed that on church hill there are two very serious-sized spires. There they stand, soaring, almost rocketing their way towards the stratosphere. One of them belongs to our brothers and sisters of the Presbyterian faith and the other belongs to the Anglicans and...Continue reading→

The Wheels on the Bus Go… It was a rainy Saturday in Melbourne and the trains had been replaced by buses. The bus came and it was a bit squishy but hec, we were on our way. What astonished me most was some of the other clients who shared the ride with us. One person...Continue reading→

It Was What You Wanted … Wasn’t It?  You see I have to ask because I was never quite sure and I am even less certain now. Offering your cheek to Judas seemed such a little but enormous, and irreversible act. Once you were arrested and taken away there was no turning back. Nothing could...Continue reading→

Lent 4 Mothering Sunday March 30th 2025 Dear Mum, You just don’t get me. Dear Mum, This letter will probably sound a little fractious, almost as if I am writing in anger. Actually, nothing could be further from the truth. I am writing this letter out of my deepest love for you and I am...Continue reading→

A Case of Mistaken Identity A colleague of mine tells a story from their youth, so if you like it and find it helpful, any credit must go to them. Any sulkiness should be directed straight back to me for shamelessly stealing it. Once upon a time, a young lad was climbing down long ladders...Continue reading→

More words that I stole “Even sure and certain hope knows grief and frustration, experiences impatience and asks its questions” These words were selflessly and generously offered on a day that I needed them most. They were a soothing balm on an old wound and I deeply appreciated them not only for what they said...Continue reading→

Jehu, the Guy with the Really Big Stone Dear Jesus, You don’t me but I sure as heck know you. I was one of the people responsible for all the ruckus last week. However, it wasn’t all my idea. Silas and I knew each other well. I’m a Pharisee and Silas is a teacher of...Continue reading→

The Sin of Certainty Way back in January, I went to see the film ’Conclave’. It was a fictitious story about the election of a Pope. Towards the beginning of the film the Dean who helps to co-ordinate the trickiness, delivers a stunning homily to the assembled cardinals. For some of you, it might sound...Continue reading→

The woman who anointed Jesus for burial Dear Mary, I wanted to write to you about a few things but first of all, I should mind my manners and ask how Martha and Lazarus are doing. It was quite a spectacle when your brother emerged from the tomb after four days. There were a good...Continue reading→

What’s your colour? Well, it’s official. We're going to have an election.  The scurrilous rumour was confirmed with a postcard that came into my letter box the other day. I expect to get many such postcards, all of them passionate, (as you would expect) offering different perspectives. For all our rolling of eyeballs and heavy sighs,...Continue reading→

Judas to Jesus Dear Jesus, I have wanted to write this letter for some time now. You see, I have this burning, puzzling question that I can never get my head around. It’s a complex thing and I’m hoping that by writing this letter I can clarify a few things in my mind, but especially...Continue reading→