Thoughts for the Day

'This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one's life for one's friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. I do not call you servants any longer, because the servant does not know what the master is doing; but I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything that I have heard from my Father. You did not choose me but I chose you.

* Stained glass window of disciples and Jesus at St Walpurga's Church.

(Church in Wales Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

As Rector and Rural Dean in Suffolk we lived in a large, isolated rectory overlooking the estuary. The grounds were extensive and a lot of time was spent mowing the lawns, but never getting to grips with the two rabbit warrens. However, it was a good space to hold an animal service, and I have a lovely memory of four gazebos put together to keep people dry on a wet Sunday. One horse put its head under the shelter to keep dry, but his rider had to sit out in the rain!

In the kitchen was a bell-board with each room labelled. Presumably the Rector was expected to press the button in the dining room or study, and a servant would appear to be given instructions to make tea. In my day the Rector went and made the tea, and most parishioners would join me in the kitchen to make a fuss of our old dog while I put the kettle on!

Jesus says in John's gospel above that his disciples are not servants, but friends. They have been initiated into God's great plan to save the world. As friends they are helpers and it is up to them to take the gospel message forward into the future. They have the instructions. No-one is going to ring a bell and tell them what do do. It is up to them to get on with the work.

For us it's exactly the same, however none of us are alone, for we have the help of the Holy Spirit, the third member of the Trinity!

Lord God,
You call each one of us
to make a difference to our world:
to take Your message to all whom we meet,
in word, or in deed.
Give us the courage,
the strength, and the desire,
to help to make changes
for the better.
Amen.