For Sunday, May
22, 2022, Readings: Acts 16:9-15, Psalm 67, Revelation 21:10-22:22:5,
John 14:23-29
In the spirit the angel carried me away to a great, high mountain and showed me the holy city Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God...its temple is the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb...for the glory of God is its light, and its lamp is the Lamb... [Revelation 21:10, 22, 23b]
May God be merciful to us and bless us, show us the light of his countenance and come to us. Let your ways be known upon earth, your saving health among all nations. [Ps 67:1-2]
Jesus said..."Those who love me will keep my word, and my
Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them...
the Advocate…in my name…will teach you everything…Peace I leave with you…Do not
let your hearts be troubled…" [John
14:23, 26, 27]
“Home”
seems to be a prevailing theme this week. The newly baptized Lydia, of purple
cloth fame, invites Paul and companions to stay at her home. Another reading
from the Book of Revelation expands last week’s promise of a new heaven
and a new earth along with a New Jerusalem, as a Holy City for all
people ~ in other words, a new home. In the New Jerusalem that comes down
out of heaven from God, there is no night, nothing unclean, and the gates
are always open for those who choose to enter. This new holy city comes to us,
the Trinity make their home with us, and all
we need to do is love Jesus, listen eagerly, and keep his word.
Jesus continues his farewell discourse in this reading from
John’s Gospel. He is telling the disciples, at the Last Supper after the
departure of Judas, that he is going to the Father and that
soon will come the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, sent by God, who will
continue to teach and remind them of all Jesus has said to them. This must have
been very confusing for them.
The most often
quoted part is when Jesus says, Peace I leave with you; my peace I give
to you which is often used in liturgical celebrations. But for me in this
reading, perhaps in view of the times in which we live, what stood out for me
were the next two sentences: “Do not let your hearts be troubled; and do not be
afraid.” And while mine is and I am at times, I realize that the essence of my journey in
faith is indeed to keep the words of Jesus, accept the peace
he gives, and not give to others as the world gives in
its anger, greed, complacency, and general self-interest. I’m not called to
live on a mountain seeking only my inner peace, ignoring all the
incessant realities ~ good, bad, or indifferent ~ of this life. I am called to
be faithful to the words of Christ; I can know that the time is now to live in
the new earth and recognize that our home to
come is already here. It won't make all trouble and fear go away, but it will
lighten my soul and guide me to give out the peace of Jesus from within myself.
The New Jerusalem is a community, a home that is loving, open, and here if we
but believe. To come Home in Christ is peace.
Now to work on not driving as the world around me drives.
LET
US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY
Leader: ~ O God of Light and Mercy, disperse the fog of our
complacency, and the illusion of time, that interrupts our willingness to love
you deeply, listen eagerly, and overflow with Your peace right now.
Jesus,
the Lamb
RESPONSE: By love we receive Your Peace
~ O God of Light and Mercy, guide our hearts to be vigilant yet untroubled, allowing the Spirit to guide us through our fearful times. Transform the souls of the leaders of this Earth, this Nation, and this Community so they govern with compassion, honor, and equity. We pray especially for: add your own petitions
Jesus,
the Lamb
By love we receive Your Peace
By love we receive Your Peace
~ O God of Light and Mercy, grant Your saving health to all beset by physical, emotional, or spiritual illness, and infuse their caregivers with gentleness and love. We now join our voices to pray aloud for those in need… add your own petitions
Jesus,
the Lamb
By
love we receive Your Peace
~ O God of Light and Mercy, turn our mourning into joy as those
we love have reached the end of earthly night, and the limitless light of God.
We pray especially for: add your own petitions
Jesus,
the Lamb
By love we receive Your Peace
By love we receive Your Peace
~ O God of Light and Mercy, we pause in
this moment to offer You our other heartfelt thanksgivings, intercessions,
petitions, and memorials, aloud or silently… add your own petitions
Jesus,
the Lamb
By
love we receive Your Peace
~ O God of Light and Mercy, refresh those anointed to lead us in
Your church with the fire and depth of Your call, guiding us to You. We
pray especially for: add your own petitions
Jesus,
the Lamb
By
love we receive Your Peace
The Celebrant adds: Holy Christ, Lord of Glory and Light, heal us as we
travel the river of this life toward eternity with You. By our love we’ll keep
Your words and not give to the world as it gives, but offer Your deep, abiding
peace to all we meet. We ask through the Holy Spirit, our Advocate; and the
Infinite Almighty, who together with You are One God, now and forever. Amen.
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