For lent and Easter 2022, I’m writing six duologues between Samuel and other people in the Bible, all on the theme of living with conflict.
Having written to Samuel in the last of my series on the great ‘cloud of witnesses’, I wondered what I might write that could start with Samuel and continue for lent. There is so much we can draw from his life, after all.
However, I ran into a problem. Because as I flicked through my Bible it seemed that he dealt with conflict at every turn. Then I realised that was the answer: to write a series on living with conflict. It certainly seems timely.
These duologues will be with: the young girl from Israel (2 Kings 5), Ezekiel, John the Baptist, Peter’s wife, Jonathan and, finally, Jesus. (I had initially thought one would be with Paul, but after writing the duologue with John the Baptist, Peter seemed a much better candidate. And then I realised it would be even better to bring Samuel to meet his wife instead.)
They talking about conflict in a variety of different settings.
I had hoped to publish these from the second Sunday in lent, with the last in the series on Good Friday, but… they take a while to write so… it will take longer than that.
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Photo by Carrie Borden on Unsplash
Living with conflict and 2 Kings 5: A duologue between Samuel and the ‘young girl from Israel’ March 13, 2022 - Ronit shares what happened after Naaman was healed and how she wrestles with feelings of failure, but ultimately chooses obedience over bitterness. 
Living with conflict: A duologue between Samuel and Ezekiel March 27, 2022 - Samuel asks Ezekiel whether he'd rather be a prophet or a priest. Ezekiel answers that he'd be a mathematician.
This is my body: a poem for Eastertide April 17, 2022 - This is my body, Fitting and familiar, Co-companion in my joys and sorrows, Co-conspirator against the darkness.
Living with conflict: A duologue between Samuel and John the Baptist April 24, 2022 - Samuel discovers John has chosen to make his dwelling a flat expanse of desert. John wryly recounts the things people say to him when they interrupt his solitude.
Living with conflict: A duologue between Samuel and Peter’s wife May 1, 2022 - Samuel goes to a heavenly copy of St Peter's Basilica and meets his wife there. They discuss the hazards of fame and the role of art in helping people approach God. 
Living with conflict: A duologue between Samuel and Jonathan May 15, 2022 - Samuel meets Jonathan amongst a colonnade of marble pillars. Jonathan shares how Michelangelo’s David prompted him explore stories from other traditions and see echoes of his life in them.
Living with conflict: A duologue between Samuel and Jesus May 22, 2022 - Samuel finds himself standing with Jesus outside the Philistine city of Beth-Shan, after Saul and his sons were defeated in battle. They talk about Saul’s life, the silence of death and the dead.