Virtual Methodist

A new poem for this year based on the Gospel reading from today's Daily lectionary Luke 7: 18-30. Are you the one Who is to come; The one my mother said I recognised while we were both still in the womb? Are you the one who is to come, or have I led everyone  along the wrong road through the wilderness? Are you the one who is to come, or should we look out for someone else, or is no-one coming at all? Are you the one who is to come; the all-atoning lamb of God, or have I sacrificed myself for nothing? Are you the one who is to come; the one to heal, not only the blind, deaf, infirm and ill, but all of creation? Are you the one who is to come? If so, then come quickly For I can’t last much longer In this dark place. Selah

I've posted this monologue a couple of times before. It purports to give Herod Antipas' take on the story in this coming Sunday's Gospel reading from the Lectionary ( Mark 6: 14-29 ). Wrote it twelve years ago now, as per the lectionary cycle, but I have only ever used it once, and won't be using it this week (I've done a couple of monologues in a row recently and you can have too much of a "good" thing... However, I thought I would post it a few days ahead of time incase any colleagues are at a loss for something for Sunday... Would be interested to hear if anyone was brave enough to attempt it... (ps. Saw the accompanying picture "The Beheading of John the Baptist" by Caravaggio in St. John's Cathedral in Valetta. Malta a couple of years ago, and this doesn't do it any justice.) Why!? Why could the damned dipper not keep his nose out of my personal life? And why could Herodias not simply ignore him? What harm could he do once I’d locked...

A monologue based on tomorrow's Gospel reading    Matthew 11: 2-11. It may seem out of tune with the tinsel and bright lights of this time of year, but I thought it was appropriate to post even though I will not be using it tomorrow. The fear and uncertainty that some feel in the light of a the recent political developments and the high profile suicide of a young sportsman here in Northern Ireland this week in particular prompts the post. It was  originally written when I was struggling badly with depression and that undoubtedly coloured it. If truth be told it was a number of years before I felt well enough to perform it. The voice of one calling in the wilderness – prepare the way for the Lord… Never were there more ironic words in scripture… They shaped my life… my ministry… I was ready to bring down the high and mighty to make the foundations for that highway in the wilderness… preparing the way for God’s chosen one… But honestly, I wasn’t rea...

A monologue delivered in place of a sermon this morning in the Agape Centre inspired by today's Lectionary reading of  Matthew 11: 2-19.  (John huddled in a blanket... coughing) The voice of one calling in the wilderness – prepare the way for the Lord… Never were there more ironic words in scripture… They shaped my life… my ministry… I was ready to bring down the high and mighty to make the foundations for that highway in the wilderness… preparing the way for God’s chosen one… But honestly, I wasn’t really prepared myself… And to tell the truth I have felt more like I was in the wilderness over recent weeks and months than all those years in the howling wastes of desert around the Dead Sea… Was I right? Was he the one? Or was all I had done wasted? I’ve had too much time to think… You would think I would be used to that given that I had spent years alone in the desert in prayerful preparation… meditating on God’s promises in scripture… But that was before, ...

A reblogged monologue by Herod Antipas inspired by today's Gospel reading from the Lectionary in  Mark 6: 14-29 . Wrote it three years ago as per the lectionary cycle, but didn't use it until this morning... If I was being generous to fellow preachers out there I should have re-posted it a few days ago... But I didn't want to spoil the effect for the few members of my own congregation that occasionally stumble onto this blog. Why!? Why could the damned dipper not keep his nose out of my personal life? And why could Herodias not simply ignore him? What harm could he do once I’d locked him away? Yes, he went on and on about the immorality of our relationship, but what did she expect? He’s a religious fanatic… But if he is one of God’s prophets I don’t want his blood on my hands as well as my marital sins… But she didn’t care… She wanted his head on a plate… Literally. And she knew just how to get it… The same way she got me in the first place… I’ve always been a ...

The series continues... By the way, I should have said earlier, but this series of introductory litanies is designed to work in parallel with John Bell's "Christmas is coming, the church is glad to sing" which wouldn't be a particular favourite, but hey ho... We light this third candle... to give thanks for John the Baptist Drawing crowds out to hear him in the wilderness Preparing the way for the coming King Calling people to change direction Warning of judgment and punishment But offering forgiveness and cleansing We light this candle... May its light overcome the darkness.

In the light of last week and this week's lectionary readings both referring to John the Baptist, I would like to offer you this painting by Flemish artist Dieric Bouts (circa 1410-1475) which I found in Munich's Alte Pinakothotek, whilst wandering around for 6 hours on a Sunday (instead of going to church... shock! horror!) It is entitled "Behold the Lamb of God!" and was commissioned by someone considering ordination, with John pointing the potential ordinand across the river, to follow, not himself, but the "Lamb of God." The audio-commentary described it as the most important recent acquisition by the gallery. I cannot comment on that as I am artistically illiterate, but I do believe that the same commentary was wrong when it suggested that the way that Jesus is painted suggests that he is in some kind of mystical, otherworldly state... Yes he certainly seems to be in an attitude of prayer, but actually if you look at the picture you will see that while ...

A monologue by Herod Antipas inspired by today's Gospel reading from the Lectionary in Mark 6: 14-29 . Why!? Why could the damned dipper not keep his nose out of my personal life? And why could Herodias not simply ignore him? What harm could he do once I’d locked him away? Yes, he went on and on about the immorality of our relationship, but what did she expect? He’s a religious fanatic… But if he is one of God’s prophets I don’t want his blood on my hands as well as my marital sins… But she didn’t care… She wanted his head on a plate… Literally. And she knew just how to get it… The same way she got me in the first place… I’ve always been a sucker for a bit of fine young female flesh… I’d taken her even though she was both my own niece and my brother’s wife… Keep it in the family is my motto… But she then dangled her own daughter as bait to get what she wanted… Just one dance and I was slavering at the mouth… I offered her half my Kingdom… and I would have given it to her too (the d...

I wrote this last year, and I noted on the original file that it was influenced by someone called Janet Lees who writes a lot of liturgical resources, but one year on I haven't a clue how much, or little is her work or mine... Anyway, I gladly dedicate it to her, and to the work of those engaged in Christian community development work, especially the inspiring urban transformation being proposed by the Skainos Project in inner east Belfast. There’s a voice crying in the wilderness In the inner city wastelands And run-down sixties housing estates And the voice says “Get ready for God.” “Make the paths straight Repair the potholes and re-lay the pavements. Level the empty tower blocks and use the rubble as the foundation for God’s new motorway straight into the heart of the city, into the heart of the problem, into your heart and mine. Bend and break the proud and the powerful Raise up those who are bent over and weighed down So that they and everyone can recognise God’s handiwork. P...