“Home” seems to be a prevailing theme this
week. The newly baptized Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth, invites Paul
and companions to stay at her home. The purple cloth mention is more
significant than may be imagined. In Paul’s time, purple was an incredibly
difficult and expensive color to achieve in dye and it remained so well into
the 16th century and beyond. For that reason it became the exclusive color of power and royalty.
It suggests, then, that Lydia was likely a very wealthy woman with much
influence in her community.
This 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 then as were the next few days.
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 my heart is and I am troubled 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, and indifferent ~ of this life. I am called to be faithful to the
words of Christ. It takes serious effort, much prayer, with sometimes fragile
hope and faith, to begin to believe that the time is now to live in
the new earth and recognize that Christ is always with
each of us. It won't make all trouble and fear go away, but it will lighten my
soul, and help me, hopefully more often than not, 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 try beginning to believe. Our Homecoming in
Christ is peace through every part of us, inside and
out.
LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY
Leader: ~ O God of Light and Mercy, disperse the fog of our
complacency, and the illusion of always having more 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 actively strive to govern with compassion, honor, and
equity. We pray especially for: add your own petitions
Jesus, the Lamb
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 hearts to pray for those in
need… add your own petitions
Jesus, the Lamb
By love we receive Your Peace
~ O God of Light and Mercy, for those we love who have reached
the end of earthly life, turn our mourning into joy, as they have entered into
their inheritance of your limitless light and life, forever blessed. We pray
especially for: add your own petitions
Jesus,
the Lamb
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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