This week's readings
begin with reminders of the work of God in Creation, Who, in addition to making
the entire world and unknown numbers of universes, gave each of us life
and breath and holds our souls in life. God is known
to us if we open ourselves to discover God’s Presence within us.
While life is often difficult, God is with us through it all.
Paul is
recorded in the reading from ACTS telling the Athenians ~ and now us ~ the
obvious, God doesn't need anything as God is the Creator who made everything.
Furthermore, part of God's plan is for us to search for and discover God
within and around us.
In
the reading from 1st Peter, the writer is comparing those whom
God saved through Noah and the Ark when they were safe upon the water and
Baptism, which this prefigured and now saves us as
an appeal for a good conscience through the resurrection of Jesus.
The
words of Jesus we are given this week are from the part of John’s Gospel known
as The Farewell Discourse that Jesus gave at the Last Supper after washing
the disciples' feet. The Discourse in John’s chapters 14-17 gives
information and instruction to the gathered. We know well of Jesus telling the
gathered of the coming betrayal, and Peter's denial. But ~ there is much more
to this conversation. In last week's passage, Jesus says Do not let
your hearts be troubled and this week he tells of asking God, on our
behalf, for another Advocate who is within us, the Spirit
of Truth. He reassures the disciples, who didn't yet understand at
this point ~ and we who do now know what was to come ~ that he will not leave
us orphaned; we will see him again.
When we combine these passages and the ones ahead toward and on the
Feast of Pentecost, we find another powerful reminder ~ the constancy of our
ever-present God in Three Persons: Creator, Redeemer, Advocate. And
the truth is, when we actively work to build and keep a
good conscience, which always includes the times of our failures
and repentance, when we increasingly remember and call upon the Trinity within
us, we are more and more able to relinquish, even if never quite completely,
the strong hold of earthly distractions along with its fears and griefs, its
anger and frustrations.
The Gospel
this week begins with Jesus saying If you love me, you will keep my
commandments. It ends with They who have my commandments and
keep them are those who love me; and those who love me will be loved by my
Father, and I will love them and reveal myself to them.
We each are called to walk through
our human existence with the Creator of Everything; with Jesus, our Redeemer;
and with the Holy Spirit of Truth, our Advocate; all are within
us on the Way. Knowing we are each loved in each and every moment is the
understanding of and the reminder to give love, AND especially to allow
ourselves to receive love, even in, with, and in spite of
the most difficult of our encounters in life through our own actions, and among
God’s own People. We know that Jesus has told us in Matthew, Mark, and in Luke
that the greatest commandment is to love God and to LOVE our Neighbors
AS WE LOVE OURSELVES! Time to revisit how we care about and for our
selves and how that informs our attitudes about and actions toward others. Far
from easy much of the time, yet as the saying goes, Love IS the answer ~
inside and out, Clearly, Comfortably, and Certainly, without Contradiction!
LET
US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY
Leader: ~ God of All Creation, we live, we move, and have our being
in You, who gave all of us life and breath. You overlook our
ignorance and never withhold Your love. Quicken our desire to turn toward You,
repent for things done and left undone, and pledge our love and obedience to
Your Commandments.
Blessed
be our God
RESPONSE:
Who holds our souls in life
~ God of All Creation, embolden and encourage us as we urge
productive humanitarian and environmental actions and justice from the
political leaders of our Nation, our Community, and our Planet, in the service
of safety, mercy, and health for all. We pray especially for: add
your own petitions
Blessed be our God
Who
holds our souls in life
~ God of All Creation, deliver comfort and hope to all who
are sick, anxious, or fearful, to those who worry, and to their caregivers. We
now join our hearts to pray for those in need… add your own petitions
Blessed be our God
Who holds our souls in life
~ God of All Creation, we commend to Your eternal embrace
all who have left this mortal life and live again in everlasting joy and glory
in You. We pray especially for: add your own petitions
Blessed be our God
Who
holds our souls in life
~ God of All Creation, we pause in this
moment to offer You our personal heartfelt thanksgivings, intercessions,
petitions, and memorials… add your own petitions
Blessed be our God
Who holds our souls in life
~ God of All Creation, lift and renew the spirits of all
who lead us in Your church in these difficult days, that they may guide us all
to a place of spiritual refreshment through Your Word, and by Your Love. We
pray especially for: add your own
petitions
Blessed be our God
Who
holds our souls in life
The Celebrant adds: Living, Loving Creator, Who holds our souls forever, free
us from earthly distractions and fears, and steady us on our journey to You.
Let us repent often, offer frequent prayers for a good conscience, and give constant
thanksgiving for the Resurrection of our Christ. We ask through Jesus, our
Living Savior; and the Spirit of Truth, our Holy Advocate; who live and reign
with You, as One God, forever and ever. Amen.
