Tui Motu InterIslands Magazine
Abide & Bear Fruit for the World: John 15:1-17
Kathleen Rushton reflects on the image of the vine and the branches in John 15:1-17. Read more…Resisting Evil — John 19:25-30
Kathleen Rushton writes that the women and the Beloved Disciple standing at the foot of Jesus’s cross in John 19:25-30 are engaged in ... Read more…Jesus and the Quiet Place — Mark 1:12-13
Kathleen Rushton explains the significance of Jesus going to a quiet place in Mark 1:12-13. Read more…The Word Became Flesh — John 1:1-18
Kathleen Rushton explains how Jesus comes into creation in John 1:1-18 not as a baby, as we read in Matthew and Luke, but as the Word ... Read more…I Was Hungry and You Fed Me — Matthew 25:31-46
Kathleen Rushton comments on the parable Jesus told in Matthew 25:31-46 of the great judgement. Read more…I Am in Your Midst — Matthew 18:15-21
Kathleen Rushton says that Matthew 18:15-21 challenges us to show evidence of our ecological conversion. Read more…Take Up the Cross and Follow - Matthew 16:21-28
Kathleen Rushton discusses Jesus's reminder in Matthew 16:21-28 that discipleship means bearing the cross. Read more…Sowing and Growing God's Kingdom — Matthew 13:1-23
Kathleen Rushton discusses the parable of the sower in Matthew 13:1-23. Read more…A Heart Moved with Compassion — Matthew 9:36-10:8
Kathleen Rushton discusses the merciful God Jesus revealed in Matthew 9:36 —10:8. Read more…Do Not Be Troubled — John 14
Kathleen Rushton discusses John 14 and the significance of disciples understanding their part in God’s work. Read more…We're an Easter People — John 20:1-31
Kathleen Rushton reflects on how John 20:1-31 speaks of the death-resurrection of Jesus in God’s evolving and unfinished universe. Read more…Invitation at the Well — John 4:4-45
Kathleen Rushton discusses the story in John 4:4-45 of the Samaritan woman meeting Jesus at the well. Read more…Blessed Are You – Matthew 5:1-48
Kathleen Rushton writes that Matthew 5:1-48 describes the way Jesus acted in proclaiming God’s reign. Read more…Seeking Refuge — Matthew 13: 2-23
Kathleen Rushton highlights the political context in Matthew 2:13-23 when Joseph and family fled to safety and the scriptural ... Read more…You Will Be with Me — Luke 23:35-42
Kathleen Rushton connects Jesus’s announcement of his ministry at the beginning of Luke’s Gospel with his last words before he died in ... Read more…Resisting Unjust Structures — Luke 18:1-8
In her commentary on Luke 18:1-8 Kathleen Rushton presents the widow as deliberately resisting injustice which challenges ... Read more…From Stewardship to Integral Ecology — Luke 16:1-13
In her discussion of The Parable of the Unjust Steward in Luke 16:1-13 Kathleen Rushton says that we are to see ourselves as ... Read more…Living Into Our Future — Luke 12:32-48
Kathleen Rushton discusses the slave parables in Luke 12:32-48. Read more…Re-membering Martha and Mary as Disciples — Luke 10:38-42
KATHLEEN RUSHTON explains how the Martha and Mary story in Luke 10:38-42 highlights the necessity of ministry and prayer for discipleship. Read more…Learning As We Journey — Luke 9:51-62
Kathleen Rushton offers insights from Luke 9:51-62 for our journeying in discipleship. Read more…Listen to My Voice — John 10:22-30
Kathleen Rushton uses the story of the Good Shepherd in John 10:22-30 to discuss how we recognise God's voice in our daily lives. Read more…Our Turn to Engage and Change the World — John 20
Chapter 20 in the Gospel of John is shaped by the theological question: “Where is Jesus?” It is about how the earthly Jesus relates to ... Read more…The Power of the Dazzle — Luke 9:28-36 and Acts 9
KATHLEEN RUSHTON compares the transfiguration of Jesus in Luke 9:28-36 with Paul’s transformation in Acts 9. Read more…Blessed and Responsive — Luke 6:17-26
Kathleen Rushton highlights some significant aspects of Jesus's Sermon on the Plain in Luke 6:17-26. Read more…Commitment to the Journey — Matthew 2:1-12 and Luke 1:39-44; 2:1-52
Kathleen Rushton draws attention to how many of the characters set out on a journey in response to news they hear in the birth stories ... Read more…Be Alert to the Signs — Mark 13
Kathleen Rushton explains that in the apocalyptic chapter, Mark 13, Jesus is warning disciples to look for the signs that are ... Read more…To See and Raise Up — Mark 10:46-52
Kathleen Rushton writes that the story of Bartimaeus in Mark 10:46-52 can give us insight into living as a people on the way. Read more…Questions on the Way — Mark 8:27-9:1
In her explanation of Mark 8:27-9:1 Kathleen Rushton highlights the significance for Christians of understanding suffering, death and ... Read more…Gifts of Earth — John 6:35-51 and 15:1-5
Kathleen Rushton discusses how Jesus uses the imagery of bread and the grapevine in John 6:35-51 and 15:1-5 to highlight God's gifts — ... Read more…Bread for the World — John 6
Kathleen Rushton highlights aspects of John 6 as a guide for our contextualising the Gospel in our lives and world. Read more…Land and People Crying for Justice, Solidarity and Action
Kathleen Rushton discusses the polarity of the biblical idea of land and the reality of life in the “Holy Land” for Palestinians today. Read more…Jesus Prays for All Disciples — John 17:6-19
Kathleen Rushton discusses how John 17:6-19 can challenge and support our commitment to justice in the world. Read more…Jesus Is Raised Up — Mark 16:1-8
Kathleen Rushton discusses Mark's story of the resurrection of Jesus in Mark 16:1-8. Read more…God’s Power in Death — Mark 14:1—15:47
Kathleen Rushton notes that the prophets spoke out against injustice and offered alternative visions of life for their communities. ... Read more…Staying on Track — Mark 1:9-13
Kathleen Rushton explains the significance of the story of Jesus's baptism and testing in Mark 1:9-13. Read more…Learning From Prophets — Luke 2:22-40
Kathleen Rushton describes Mary and Joseph's encounter with the prophets in Luke 2:22-40. Read more…Doing Works of Mercy — Matthew 25:31-46
Kathleen Rushton discusses mercy in Matthew 25:31-46. Read more…A More Loving People — Matthew 23:34-36
In her discussion of Matthew 23:34-36 Kathleen Rushton suggests COVID-19 is inviting us to live the commandments more fully. Read more…Building the Church — Matthew 16:13-20
Kathleen Rushton sets out the implications of Jesus's desire to build the church in Matthew 16:13-20. Read more…Listen, Understand and Bear Fruit — Matthew 13:1-23
Kathleen Rushton discusses the parable of the sower in Matthew 13:1-23. Read more…To Be in Relationship with Christ — Matthew 10:26-42
Kathleen Rushton interprets Matthew 10:26-42 in light of our call to relationship at this time. Read more…SCRIPTURE: Promising Fullness of Life — John 10:1-10.
Kathleen Rushton offers insights into the Gospel reading for Sunday 3 May. Read more…I Am with You on the Way — John 14:1-21
Kathleen Rushton reflects on Jesus’s farewell address in John 14:1-21 in light our challenges in this time of COVID-19. Read more…Resurrection Thoughts in Lockdown — John 20:1-18
Kathleen Rushton reflects on the Johannine story of the women and other disciples discovering the Risen Christ. Read more…Palm Sunday in this Time of Covid-19 — Matthew 21:1-11
Kathleen Rushton discusses Matthew 21:1-11, the Gospel reading for Palm Sunday, and how we might celebrate in our bubbles. Read more…Jesus Breathes the Spirit — John 20:19-31
Kathleen Rushton explores the story of the risen Jesus breathing the Spirit on the disciples in John 20:19-31 and invites us to ... Read more…Reading in Four Voices — John 9:1-41
This Gospel reading is for the Fourth Sunday of Lent. Read more…Gaining Sight and Insight — John 9:1-41
Kathleen Rushton interprets John 9:1-41 and suggests how this story of the man born blind can influence our lives. Read more…Living Honourably — Matthew 5:13-37
Kathleen Rushton gives insight into the community life Jesus describes in Matthew 5:13-37. Read more…Jesus Is Born — Luke 2:1-20
Kathleen Rushton explains how our usual image of the birth of Jesus is different from what we find in Luke 2:1–20. Read more…Put it in Your Heart — Luke 21:5-19
Kathleen Rushton introduces the apocalyptic writing in Luke 21:5-19 and suggests how it can help us think about and act on the crises ... Read more…Healing and Gratitude — Luke 17-19
Kathleen Rushton reflects on the story of Jesus healing ten men with leprosy in Luke 17:11-19. Read more…What Will I Do? — Luke 16:1-13
Kathleen Rushton explores the parable of the unjust manager in Luke 16:1-13. Read more…Awake to Serve — Luke 12:32-48
Kathleen Rushton tells how the parable of the serving master can influence our responses to injustices in our world. Read more…Go and Do Likewise — Luke 10:25-37
Kathleen Rushton points to the radical challenge of the parable of the Good Samaritan Luke 10:25–37 for Jesus's first listeners and ... Read more…It’s Time to Hear the Truth — John 16:12-15
Kathleen Rushton explains how Jesus sends the Spirit to reannounce truths we may not have had the insight, knowledge or understanding ... Read more…Love One Another — Our Work — John 13:31-35
Kathleen Rushton traces Jesus's words and actions in John 13:31-35 showing him bringing a new unity among people through love. Read more…Handing Over the Spirit — John 18:1-19; 42
Kathleen Rushton explains John's version of Jesus's death as his handing over the Spirit at the heart of the universe to all beloved ... Read more…Transformed in the Struggle — Luke 9:28-36
Kathleen Rushton's reading of Luke 9:28-36 highlights the commitment that Jesus, and all disciples, give to under-standing God's ... Read more…True Disciples Grounded in God — Luke 6:17-49
Kathleen Rushton interprets Jesus’s teaching on the beatitudes as told in Luke 6:17-49. Read more…Jesus Comes Bringing Peace — Luke 2:1-20
Kathleen Rushton draws attention to how the story of Jesus’s birth in Luke 2:1-20 challenges our domesticated Christmas images and ideas. Read more…Wake Up! — Mark 13
Kathleen Rushton interprets Jesus’s sermon in Mark 13 uncovering the symbolic language and urging us to stay awake in our world Read more…No Place for Greed on the Way — Mark 10:17-31
Kathleen Rushton, interpreting Mark 10:17-31, highlights how greed works against discipleship of Jesus. Read more…Like a Child — Mark 9:30-37
Kathleen Rushton shows in Mark 9:30–37 that childlikeness, not childishness, is a quality of discipleship. Read more…Being a Disciple — John 6:24-69
Kathleen Rushton explains that in John 6:24-69 being a disciple means committing to believing into Jesus and in God’s mission. Read more…Completing God’s Work — John 6:1-21
Kathleen Rushton points to significant aspects of John 6:1-21 that link the feeding story with the reason for Jesus’s ministry and our ... Read more…God's Work in Seeds — Mark 4:26-34
Kathleen Rushton interprets two parables in Mark 4:26-34 — the seed that grows by itself and the mustard seed. Read more…Life-Giving Breath of God — John 16:4-15; 20:19-23
Kathleen Rushton discusses how the Pentecost gospel readings, John 16:4-15; 20:19-23, highlight the Holy Spirit as breathing life into ... Read more…Abiding in the Vine — John 15:1-7
KATHLEEN RUSHTON explains how the vine imagery in John 15:1-7 speaks of friendship with Jesus and abiding in God. Read more…Jesus Washed Feet — John 13-1-7
KATHLEEN RUSHTON interprets Jesus’s action in John 13:1-17 as introducing a new ordering of relationships. Read more…Pilgrimage to the Dwelling Place of God — John 2:13-25
KATHLEEN RUSHTON looks at how John 2:13–25 expands the “Clearing of the Temple” story and considers different understandings of the ... Read more…John the Baptist — John 1:6-8,19-28
KATHLEEN RUSHSTON explains the difference between John the Baptist in John’s Gospel from the other Gospels and the message he calls us ... Read more…You Did it to Me — Matthew 25:31-46
KATHLEEN RUSHTON shows how the righteous described in the parable of Matthew 25:31–46 are imitators of Jesus and in solidarity with ... Read more…Come to the Wedding — Matthew 22:1-14
KATHLEEN RUSHTON grapples with the Parable of the Wedding Feast in Matthew 22:1-14 comparing the willingness of guests called to the ... Read more…Slavery IS Slavery — Matthew 18:21-35
KATHLEEN RUSHTON uncovers the evil of human slavery in her reading of Matthew 18:21-35 and points out how often it is obscured or ... Read more…Come After Me — Matthew 16:21-28
KATHLEEN RUSHTON explains the use of the lectionaries and interprets what is involved in following Jesus in Matthew 16:21-28. Read more…Listen and Hear — Matthew 13:1-52
In her interpretation of the parable of the baker woman KATHLEEN RUSHTON alerts us to the twists hidden in Matthew’s parables 13:1-52. Read more…The World God Loves — John 3:16-18
KATHLEEN RUSHTON explains how the meanings of “the world” in John 3:16–18 are related to our involvement in good works. Read more…Jesus and the Spirit — John 14
In her reading of John 14 KATHLEEN RUSHTON points to the climax of the passion as the giving of the Spirit. Read more…Journeying to Emmaus — Luke 24:13-35
KATHLEEN RUSHTON uses two artworks in her interpretation of the Emmaus Story in Luke 24:13-35. Read more…Opening of Eyes — John 9:1-41
KATHLEEN RUSHTON interprets John 9:1-41 showing how the man born blind came to believe in Jesus. Read more…Give Your Cloak As Well — Matthew 5:28-48
In her interpretation of Matthew 5:38–48 KATHLEEN RUSHTON shows how Jesus calls disciples to engage in non-violent resistance of evil. Read more…A Life-Changing Journey — Matthew 2:1-12
KATHLEEN RUSHTON interprets Matthew 2:1-12 reflecting on the Magi’s visit to the newly-born Jesus in Bethlehem. Read more…You Will Be With Me — Luke 23:35-43
KATHLEEN RUSHTON reflects on the brief conversation between two dying men, Jesus and his companion, in Luke 23:35-43. Read more…A Man With an Amazing Plan — Luke 19:1
KATHLEEN RUSHTON writes that by misjudging Zaccheus in Luke 19:1– 10 we miss his vision for a better community. Read more…Parables of the Lost and Stories of Mercy — Luke 15:1-32
Kathleen Rushton examines three parables of the lost in Luke 15:1–32 showing what they reveal about relationships with God and one ... Read more…Learning from the Line of Women — Luke 1:39-56
Kathleen Rushton situates the visit of Mary to Elizabeth, Luke 1:39–56, within the story of biblical foremothers and points to the ... Read more…A Heart Moved to Mercy — Luke 10:25-37
Kathleen Rushton provides new insights into the parable of the wounded man in Luke 10:25-37. Read more…The Anointing Woman — Luke 7:36-8:3
Kathleen Rushton reveals that the woman who anoints Jesus’ head in Simon the Pharisee’s house in Luke 7:36-8:3 is a different woman ... Read more…Belief in Jesus Changed the Church — John 16
Kathleen Rushton shows in John 16 how a new way of telling the story of Jesus grew out of the Johannine community’s experience of ... Read more…Jesus the Resurrected Gardener — John 20:1-9
Kathleen Rushton traces the themes of creating and re-creating in John 20:1–9 and highlights the resurrected Jesus as completing the ... Read more…Jesus, the Woman and the Pharisees — John 8:1-11
Although the story of Jesus, the woman and her accusers is thought to go back to the life of Jesus, it was not until the third ... Read more…Using and Abusing Power — Luke 4:13
In her interpretation of Luke 4:1-13 Kathleen Rushton discusses the biblical character diabolos and the temptations Jesus faced to ... Read more…The Word Made Flesh — John 1:1-18
Kathleen Rushton explores the meaning of John 1:1-18 as a Christmas reading. Read more…Expand the Mind: Jesus and the Landscape — Mark 1:12-15
Kathleen Rushton shows how landscape plays an important role in Jesus' understanding of his part in God's mission. Read more…Gifts of Soil and Wheat — John 12:20-33
Kathleen Rushton explains how the evolutionary process of death and resurrection seen in soil and wheat reveal the gift-giving God. Read more…Resurrection of Jesus — and the Disciples - John 20:1-9; 19-31
Kathleen Rushton's interpretation of the section in John 20 reveals resurrection as a living in a new time or re-creation. Read more…Everything is Interconnected — Mark 10:35-45
Kathleen Rushton shows how the Sons of Zebedee in Mark 10:35-45 misunderstood Jesus’ vision of radical discipleship which draws us all ... Read more…Truth is God’s Faithful Saving Action — John 18:33b-37
In her interpretation of John 18:33b-37 Kathleen Rushton contrasts Jesus and Pilate as images of kingly power and truthful relationships. Read more…For the Sake of the Gospel — Mark 8:27-35
Jesus' challenge" "If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me," (Mk 8:34) is ... Read more…"I am the Bread of Life" — John 6:41-51, 60-69
Kathleen Rushton invites us to sense and imagine the interconnections of place, human and divine in her interpretation of John ... Read more…"Come, Eat my Bread ..." — John 6:1-15, 24-35
Kathleen Rushton reveals the deep scriptural resonances that the Johannine community uses to describe Jesus as bread of life. Read more…Brother Grain and Sister Mustard Seed — Mark 4:26-34
Kathleen Rushton explores two parables of the reign of God in Mark 4:26-34. Read more…Spirit Poured out in Living Water — John 7:37-39; 15:26-27; 16:12-15
Kathleen Rushton traces the images of water and light in the Johannine Pentecost readings - John 7:37-39 and John 15:26-27; 16:12-15 ... Read more…
