Advent Hope for All

/ M McKinnell

I wrote the first version of this pantoum in Advent 2018 - and share it publicly for the first time in these opening few days of the Advent season. It's written for all for whom it has been a difficult year:

First Stanza

Our prayer is answered, and God will bring us home -
life's journey's not meant for travelling alone.
Our task, to listen, trust, and connect with God once more,
as God, again, sends the love, peace and hope that is His Son.

A Beautiful Invite

/ M McKinnell

A pantoum reflecting on the power of an invitation, the love of friends, and a renewed hearing of the spirit's call to serve when one is healing from the oppressive behaviour of another:

First Stanza

A beautiful invite that mends shattered spirits
as layers of forced burden begin shedding away.
God’s healing touch working, making us whole –
light starts to crack open the oppressor’s doom.

Christ’s Procession Today

/ M McKinnell

A two voice reflection for Palm Sunday - the first Sunday (in Scotland) churches can be open for worship following the latest enforced closures due to the Coronavirus Pandemic.

  • Voice 1: Someone in the crowd as Jesus rides into Jerusalem
  • Voice 2: Someone in the procession back to church as lockdown rules on worship are relaxed

Jesus’ Life – An act of Love!

/ M McKinnell

A pantoum based on John 3:14-21, the Gospel for this Sunday (Lent 4, Yr B)

First Stanza:

When Jesus comes to us as an act of love –
we’re used to a society that loves to judge.
In every aspect of our lives – how we look and what we do or say –
life’s a competition – full of hierarchy ladders.

Cleansing the Temple

/ M McKinnell

A two voice reflection based on John 2:13-22, the Gospel for this Sunday (Lent 3, Yr B):

  • Voice 1 – A person reflecting on Jesus entering the temple in Jerusalem
  • Voice 2 – A person reflecting on Jesus entering the temple that is our bodies

    • For a New Day

    / M McKinnell

    (Written December, 2020 - based on Psalm 118:1-29)

    First Stanza:

    Let me say, “Help me to start the day!”
    when I feel all alone, with the whole world to fight;
    when all I can think about are bad things I’ve done –
    Though the brutal honesty makes me want to hide!