Thoughts for the Day

Jesus said 'Those 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.’ Judas (not Iscariot) said to him, ‘Lord, how is it that you will reveal yourself to us, and not to the world?’ Jesus answered him, ‘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. Whoever does not love me does not keep my words; and the word that you hear is not mine, but is from the Father who sent me.

I have said these things to you while I am still with you. But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything and remind you of all that I have said to you.'

(Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

In the confusion, sadness and sometimes sheer terribleness of life on earth we can forget the words of hope that Jesus says to his disciples. We can get caught up in the moment, and be worried or frightened and all that matters is concern for what is happening. We go into panic mode. When Jesus spoke to his disciples in this passage from John's Gospel, immediately before his death, all they could think was that he was leaving them. They too were in complete panic.

Earlier in this chapter from John's Gospel Jesus had promised that there were "many dwellings" in his Father's house and that he was going to prepare a place for them. Now, though, he also says that he and the Father will be coming to make their home with all those who love him, through the power of the Holy Spirit.

It is the Holy Spirit that is with us today, to assure us that we are never alone or abandoned whatever the circumstances. We may not understand how God is working, and we cannot always avoid the evil in this world, but with time and prayer as we draw nearer to God we can sometimes begin to see how it's possible for good to come out of ill, how God brought triumph for instance, out of the crucifixion. For God profoundly loves us and we are never abandoned!

Father of all things,
teach us the meaning of Hope
as given to us by Jesus.
When life seems dark
may we lift our spirits
in the knowledge
that Your Spirit is with us,
seeking to bring all things
to a positive conclusion.
Amen.