God loves a scandal, look at Christ
God loves a scandal, look at Christ
by Andrew Pratt
God loves a scandal, look at Christ, his crying indignation will turn our tables round again, infect our generation. And those of us who hold some power, our influence diluted, will sense the end of all we love, our treasured schemes uprooted. Verses 3-5 follow Andrew Pratt (bo…
God still needs prophets who will rage
God still needs prophets who will rage
by Andrew Pratt
Third in Advent year A James 5: 7 – 10 Hymn: God still needs prophets who will rage God still needs prophets who will rage, against discrimination, who speak God’s words amid despair, to this and every nation; who reach again with nail scarred hands... Andrew Pratt (born 1948)…
God resists a partial judgment
God resists a partial judgment
by Andrew Pratt
God resists a partial judgment, spinning justice in the air, mercy breathes in word and action when the Spirit's breath is there. Here the wicked face comeuppance, here the weak are heard at last, where each human word and action counts for more than prayer or fast. Verses 3-4 fo…
He taught in puns and riddles
He taught in puns and riddles
by Andrew Pratt
Hymn: He taught in puns and riddles Fourth Sunday of Easter Year A John 10: 1-10 He taught in puns and riddles, in pictures wrung from words, of gates and fields and shepherds, of fish and flowers and herds. These parables are potent, ingrained with hope and grace, infused with l…
Hannah coming to the temple
Hannah coming to the temple
by Andrew Pratt
Hannah coming to the temple brings a tunic for her lad, such excitement, though expected, human love will make them glad.* Like a birthday, family meeting, celebration, gifts are brought, in imagination's moment, altogether joy is caught. Christmas passes, other moments in our me…
He touched the ones that others would despise
He touched the ones that others would despise
by Andrew Pratt
He touched the ones that others would despise, he lifted up the poor to help them rise, he stemmed the hypocrites within their pride and drew the little children to his side. He stopped the ones who'd stone a woman dead, then offered care, forgiving her instead. He called his fri…
Her first born son, his manger bed
Her first born son, his manger bed
by Andrew Pratt
Her first born son, his manger bed, the straw was where he'd lay his head, his mother resting from the birth, and Joseph wondered at his worth. He held him in his roughened hands, he thought about the world's demands that brought them all to Bethlehem. What prejudice would wait…
Help us trace your rainbow colours
Help us trace your rainbow colours
by Andrew Pratt
Hymn: Help us trace your rainbow colours Proper 19 Year A Romans 14: 1-12 Help us trace your rainbow colours through these days of change and choice, holding firmly to your promise: all the world can praise, rejoice. In a world of contradictions let your justice change our ways, …
Heaven's gate reveals the pathway
Heaven's gate reveals the pathway
by Andrew Pratt
Heaven's gate reveals the pathway to discern God's love and grace; here in stars we trace the glory more resplendent in God's face. Sun and moon resolve that glory so the human eye can bear such inflaming, searing radiance, bringing warmth, distilling care. Verses 3-4 follow Tune…
Hear the word a prophet speaking
Hear the word a prophet speaking
by Andrew Pratt
Fourth Sunday of Advent Year A Isaiah 7: 10 – 16 Hymn: Hear the word, a prophet speaking Hear the word, a prophet speaking: hear the words that, from the past, echo through the times and seasons, words to challenge, words to last. Look around for signs and wonders, look, a young …
Here in cosmic signs and symbols
Here in cosmic signs and symbols
by Andrew Pratt
Here in cosmic signs and symbols Amos warns of things to come, words that tumble, words that rumble, words that sing and words that drum. Fruit will rot within a basket, summer fruit once offered hope, now as mildew is predicted how will faithful people cope? Verses 3-5 follow Tu…
His hands were remembered in breaking of bread
His hands were remembered in breaking of bread
by Andrew Pratt
Hymn: His hands were remembered in breaking of bread Third Sunday of Easter Luke 24. 13-35 His hands were remembered in breaking of bread, in wine that they drank and in words that he said; their eyes were now opened, for this was their friend, the true resurrection of love witho…
Hope is built in present moments
Hope is built in present moments
by Andrew Pratt
Hope is built in present moments, times of visions, times of dreams, times when love transcends the present, long outlasting human schemes. Hope will open gates of promise, herald dawns of glorious light, help us live within this moment, lead us onward from the night. Verses 3-4 …
Hidden, yet hurting, while needing the comfort