Eastertide

May 25, 2019

Scripture Reading: John 14:22b-29
‘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. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid. You heard me say to you, “I am going away, and I am coming to you.” If you loved me, you would rejoice that I am going to the Father, because the Father is greater than I. And now I have told you this before it occurs, so that when it does occur, you may believe.

“Act as if everything depended on you; trust as if everything depended on God.” ― Saint Ignatius of Loyola

This quote attributed to St Ignatius has been stated in varying fashions by many faith leaders. I choose his because he uses the word trust. Trust is the verb of faith. Trusting that everything ultimately depends on God is a freeing experience. We are not perfect; we all make mistakes and yet we followers of Christ are entrusted with the most important mission ever assigned: to share the love of God throughout the world and thus create a world ruled by love.

I once heard a lecture regarding childhood development that I think applies here. I am sorry I no longer remember the occasion much less the speaker. She said we do not send children out in a front yard surrounded by streets busy with traffic, leave them alone, and expect them to do the right thing if they throw their ball into the street. We do want our children to explore and develop their minds, bodies, social skills, and spiritual life. To do that we most likely will first place them in a fenced yard with hazards removed and various safe toys and plants and sand boxes to explore as we may play with them or watch as they alone or with their peers discover new and wonderous things. The environment we create for a child is like the trust we place in God to love and protect us as we strive to love God, love ourselves, and love each other. Like a toddler we may fall, even scrape a knee, but our loving Parent is always there to give us comfort and forgiveness while guiding us to try again.

I do not think we can make anyone follow Christ or to live their lives as we interpret is the “correct” way to follow Christ. We certainly cannot legislate our evangelism. We can love them, accept them as they are, and journey with them as they become the persons God created them to be. Christ got the assignment to judge who among us love him and follow him. Our assignment is to introduce Christ to those who may not know him and to love the way he loves.

Prayer: Lord, we have an awesome assignment and sometimes it is hard for us to let you be God and we be your followers. Forgive us and strengthen us to trust you fully. Amen.

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 America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.