Eastertide
June 2, 2014

Scripture Reading: John 17:1-11 

‘Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son so that the Son may glorify you, since you have given him authority over all people, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him. And this is eternal life, that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. I glorified you on earth by finishing the work that you gave me to do.  — John 17:1b-4  

This scripture is part of Jesus’ prayer before his arrest. It provides two very important messages for today’s followers of Jesus. The gift of eternal life is to know (recognize, perceive) the only true god and Jesus Christ.  Once we begin to get a glimmer of God, we are able not only to ascertain our true avocation but also be enabled to finish that work. The work we do to make a living is our vocation. The word “avocation” relates to the work we do for pure enjoyment.  While it is often related to work we do in our spare time such as hobbies, it really refers to that which we do out of pure joy, no matter how hard we must work or what sacrifice is required to complete the task. It is a special gift when ones vocation and avocation are the same. When we are able to alien our lives with the calling of our Lord we are more often able to approach all that we do through God’s joy.

Is this the message of Jesus’ final words from the cross it is finished? –(John 19:30)

Prayer: O, most merciful Redeemer, friend and brother,
              may I know you more clearly,
              love you more dearly,
             and follow you more nearly,
            day by day. –St Richard of Chichester

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of American. Used by permission. All rights reserved.