Eastertide
May 15, 2016

Scripture Reading: John 14:25-27
‘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.

I am sometimes sorry about the only time we hear the words of our scripture today is at a funeral or memorial service. While I do find the words appropriate for the grieving and we who are reminded of our mortality at each such service, the words are actually spoken to disciples who are about to go on the adventure of a lifetime spreading the good news of a man who would very soon after speaking these words be killed for the very good news he has commanded us to share.

With all the fear and confusion present in our world today we desperately need to be reminded that God’s peace comes to us through a holy comforter. It is somewhat like the comforting partners in birth settings, allowing the birthing mothers to gripe hands while the partners whisper encouraging words. They are joining together for a very good thing that has already and will continue to challenge them to use every piece of knowledge, skill, and talent they possess.

The Holy Spirit is our comforter as we work to birth the Kingdom of God on this earth.

Prayer: We thank you God for the gift of the Holy Spirit and pray that our lives may be made one through the shared nature of such a gift as this. 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 American. Used by permission. All rights 
reserved.