Focus on the picture for a moment, then take a moment to centre yourself in prayer:
O God, show us the paths you would have us travel with you. Show us the ones who could be our companions, if only we would see beyond our prejudice and fear. Teach us to welcome one another with hearts full of grace, and to open ourselves to the power of your Word at work in our lives, Amen.
The gospel reading in the lectionary today is part of a longer “farewell discourse” by Jesus to his disciples, which is framed by 3 questions:
1) Thomas’ question: “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?”
2) Philip’s question: “Lord, will you show us the father? Then we will be satisfied.”
3) Judas’ question: “How is it that will you reveal yourself to us, and not to the world?”
Today’s reading picks up Jesus’ answer to Judas’ question.
READ John 14: 18-22, 23-29
The gospel reading in the lectionary today is part of a longer “farewell discourse” by Jesus to his disciples, which is framed by 3 questions:
1) Thomas’ question: “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?”
2) Philip’s question: “Lord, will you show us the father? Then we will be satisfied.”
3) Judas’ question: “How is it that will you reveal yourself to us, and not to the world?”
Today’s reading picks up Jesus’ answer to Judas’ question.
READ John 14: 18-22, 23-29
18 ‘I will not leave you orphaned; I am coming to you. 19In a little while the world will no longer see me, but you will see me; because I live, you also will live. 20On that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you. 21They 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.’ 22Judas (not Iscariot) said to him, ‘Lord, how is it that you will reveal yourself to us, and not to the world?’ 23Jesus 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. 24Whoever 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.
25 ‘I have said these things to you while I am still with you. 26But 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. 27Peace 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. 28You 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. 29And now I have told you this before it occurs, so that when it does occur, you may believe.
Judas’ question reminds us that this is a privileged conversation, an intimate moment: family members only!
Part of John’s context was that the “house churches” of Jesus’ followers were being ejected from the established synagogues, and they were forming their own identity. How were they to understand their role – as secretive sect? or proselytizing missionaries?
25 ‘I have said these things to you while I am still with you. 26But 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. 27Peace 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. 28You 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. 29And now I have told you this before it occurs, so that when it does occur, you may believe.
Judas’ question reminds us that this is a privileged conversation, an intimate moment: family members only!
Part of John’s context was that the “house churches” of Jesus’ followers were being ejected from the established synagogues, and they were forming their own identity. How were they to understand their role – as secretive sect? or proselytizing missionaries?
Judas wanted to know more about his “special privilege” in verse 23, but Jesus turned that perspective over – if you believe and act like a disciple, then Jesus will be revealed to you.
The phrase “make a home” uses actual construction terms, it is NOT an eschatological phrase. John’s community felt like they were building something from nothing, ie. faith is a work in progress, trust the builder and your way will become clear.
Question for Reflection: How do you understand “church” on its continuum between a “closed” community of believers to a continual campaign for new members? For the world, or apart from the world?
In verse 26, Jesus spoke about “the Advocate, the Holy Spirit” – there are different translations for the greek word PARACLETE. In John, the appearance of the Spirit sounds more anthropomorphic than it's actual appearance in Acts. But it is clear that the paraclete is a teacher, not a defender or rescuer, or someone to do your mission for you.
In verse 27, Jesus says he will not give as the world gives – how does the world give? Are we setting up an artificial understanding that the followers are in, the world is out?
In verse 28, Jesus shares his contradictory truth: “I am going away (in the physical form as you know me now), and I am coming to you (in a new way?) "
Question for Reflection:
How do we understand the kind of changes that come with Jesus’ resurrection?
READ Acts 16:9-15
The phrase “make a home” uses actual construction terms, it is NOT an eschatological phrase. John’s community felt like they were building something from nothing, ie. faith is a work in progress, trust the builder and your way will become clear.
Question for Reflection: How do you understand “church” on its continuum between a “closed” community of believers to a continual campaign for new members? For the world, or apart from the world?
In verse 26, Jesus spoke about “the Advocate, the Holy Spirit” – there are different translations for the greek word PARACLETE. In John, the appearance of the Spirit sounds more anthropomorphic than it's actual appearance in Acts. But it is clear that the paraclete is a teacher, not a defender or rescuer, or someone to do your mission for you.
In verse 27, Jesus says he will not give as the world gives – how does the world give? Are we setting up an artificial understanding that the followers are in, the world is out?
In verse 28, Jesus shares his contradictory truth: “I am going away (in the physical form as you know me now), and I am coming to you (in a new way?) "
Question for Reflection:
How do we understand the kind of changes that come with Jesus’ resurrection?
READ Acts 16:9-15
During the night Paul had a vision: there stood a man of Macedonia pleading with him and saying, ‘Come over to Macedonia and help us.’ 10When he had seen the vision, we immediately tried to cross over to Macedonia, being convinced that God had called us to proclaim the good news to them.
11 We set sail from Troas and took a straight course to Samothrace, the following day to Neapolis, 12and from there to Philippi, which is a leading city of the district of Macedonia and a Roman colony. We remained in this city for some days. 13On the sabbath day we went outside the gate by the river, where we supposed there was a place of prayer; and we sat down and spoke to the women who had gathered there. 14A certain woman named Lydia, a worshipper of God, was listening to us; she was from the city of Thyatira and a dealer in purple cloth. The Lord opened her heart to listen eagerly to what was said by Paul. 15When she and her household were baptized, she urged us, saying, ‘If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come and stay at my home.’ And she prevailed upon us.
Background: Paul had been travelling with Barnabas, interpreting for gentile communities the decisions the apostles at Jerusalem have made around gentile converts and circumcision. Barnabas wanted to revisit the older communities with John Mark, who was a less than faithful convert. Paul wanted to break new ground, so they separated. Then Paul took up with Timothy and Silas.
11 We set sail from Troas and took a straight course to Samothrace, the following day to Neapolis, 12and from there to Philippi, which is a leading city of the district of Macedonia and a Roman colony. We remained in this city for some days. 13On the sabbath day we went outside the gate by the river, where we supposed there was a place of prayer; and we sat down and spoke to the women who had gathered there. 14A certain woman named Lydia, a worshipper of God, was listening to us; she was from the city of Thyatira and a dealer in purple cloth. The Lord opened her heart to listen eagerly to what was said by Paul. 15When she and her household were baptized, she urged us, saying, ‘If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come and stay at my home.’ And she prevailed upon us.
Background: Paul had been travelling with Barnabas, interpreting for gentile communities the decisions the apostles at Jerusalem have made around gentile converts and circumcision. Barnabas wanted to revisit the older communities with John Mark, who was a less than faithful convert. Paul wanted to break new ground, so they separated. Then Paul took up with Timothy and Silas.
In the verse before the lectionary reading it is clear that Paul is not in charge of his itinerary. In verse 7 it says “they attempted to go into Bithynia, but the spirit of Jesus did not allow them”, so passing by Mysia, they went to Troas. During the night, Paul had a vision…”
That vision is found in verse 9, where Paul receives a call to go to Macedonia “Come over and help us.” In 1990 there was a poll of American Presbyterians, which revealed that over half of the church said they had had a vision, but had never told anyone. Sometimes we are churches who lack vision, not because we don't have them, but because we never share them!
In verse 10, Luke switches to “we” from “they” though there is no indication he was there.
Paul went searching for place of prayer, meaning synagogue, on the sabbath. He was still making his first contact with Jewish communities, not gentile ones.
In verse 14, we read that Paul's vision was a man, but the first convert was a woman! Mission was to Jews, but first convert was a gentile!
This is a passage where human longing for hope (Lydia's) and grace (God's) finally meet – she already has the hunger, when God meets her through Paul.
Question for Reflection: Is it coincidence or is God at work here?? Do we accept it at the time, or is it only in retrospect?
READ Revelations 21:10; 22-22:5
That vision is found in verse 9, where Paul receives a call to go to Macedonia “Come over and help us.” In 1990 there was a poll of American Presbyterians, which revealed that over half of the church said they had had a vision, but had never told anyone. Sometimes we are churches who lack vision, not because we don't have them, but because we never share them!
In verse 10, Luke switches to “we” from “they” though there is no indication he was there.
Paul went searching for place of prayer, meaning synagogue, on the sabbath. He was still making his first contact with Jewish communities, not gentile ones.
In verse 14, we read that Paul's vision was a man, but the first convert was a woman! Mission was to Jews, but first convert was a gentile!
This is a passage where human longing for hope (Lydia's) and grace (God's) finally meet – she already has the hunger, when God meets her through Paul.
Question for Reflection: Is it coincidence or is God at work here?? Do we accept it at the time, or is it only in retrospect?
READ Revelations 21:10; 22-22:5
10And in the spirit he carried me away to a great, high mountain and showed me the holy city Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God. 11It has the glory of God and a radiance like a very rare jewel, like jasper, clear as crystal. 12It has a great, high wall with twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and on the gates are inscribed the names of the twelve tribes of the Israelites; 13on the east three gates, on the north three gates, on the south three gates, and on the west three gates. 14And the wall of the city has twelve foundations, and on them are the twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.
15 The angel who talked to me had a measuring rod of gold to measure the city and its gates and walls. 16The city lies foursquare, its length the same as its width; and he measured the city with his rod, fifteen hundred miles; its length and width and height are equal. 17He also measured its wall, one hundred and forty-four cubits by human measurement, which the angel was using. 18The wall is built of jasper, while the city is pure gold, clear as glass. 19The foundations of the wall of the city are adorned with every jewel; the first was jasper, the second sapphire, the third agate, the fourth emerald, 20the fifth onyx, the sixth cornelian, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, the twelfth amethyst. 21And the twelve gates are twelve pearls, each of the gates is a single pearl, and the street of the city is pure gold, transparent as glass.
22 I saw no temple in the city, for its temple is the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb. 22Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb 2through the middle of the street of the city. On either side of the river is the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, producing its fruit each month; and the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. 3Nothing accursed will be found there any more. But the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him; 4they will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. 5And there will be no more night; they need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign for ever and ever.
15 The angel who talked to me had a measuring rod of gold to measure the city and its gates and walls. 16The city lies foursquare, its length the same as its width; and he measured the city with his rod, fifteen hundred miles; its length and width and height are equal. 17He also measured its wall, one hundred and forty-four cubits by human measurement, which the angel was using. 18The wall is built of jasper, while the city is pure gold, clear as glass. 19The foundations of the wall of the city are adorned with every jewel; the first was jasper, the second sapphire, the third agate, the fourth emerald, 20the fifth onyx, the sixth cornelian, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, the twelfth amethyst. 21And the twelve gates are twelve pearls, each of the gates is a single pearl, and the street of the city is pure gold, transparent as glass.
22 I saw no temple in the city, for its temple is the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb. 22Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb 2through the middle of the street of the city. On either side of the river is the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, producing its fruit each month; and the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. 3Nothing accursed will be found there any more. But the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him; 4they will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. 5And there will be no more night; they need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign for ever and ever.
The setting for this passage is literally "heaven on earth."
Note how in verse 22, there is no temple, meaning there is no need for religious institution, God/the Lamb are their light of faith.
Verses 24-5 contrast with verse 27, universal hope versus exclusion. Yet everyone, regardless of nation (universal), who does what is faithful (exclusive), will be in the new creation.
In 22:2, we read about the river and the tree of life, with 12 kinds of fruit (In numerology, 12 represents completeness, or abundant blessing). The image is reminiscent of the Garden of Eden. In 22:4, it says humans can see the face of God, unlike Moses and others who always remained sheltered from seeing God, for fear of death. Verse 5 reveals that there will be no more death.
Note how in verse 22, there is no temple, meaning there is no need for religious institution, God/the Lamb are their light of faith.
Verses 24-5 contrast with verse 27, universal hope versus exclusion. Yet everyone, regardless of nation (universal), who does what is faithful (exclusive), will be in the new creation.
In 22:2, we read about the river and the tree of life, with 12 kinds of fruit (In numerology, 12 represents completeness, or abundant blessing). The image is reminiscent of the Garden of Eden. In 22:4, it says humans can see the face of God, unlike Moses and others who always remained sheltered from seeing God, for fear of death. Verse 5 reveals that there will be no more death.
Question for Reflection:
If this is a vision of God's ultimate intention for creation, do you understand it metaphoricly or literally?
READ Psalm 67:
To the leader: with stringed instruments.
A Psalm. A Song.
1May God be gracious to us and bless us
and make his face to shine upon us, Selah
2that your way may be known upon earth,
your saving power among all nations.
3Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you.
4Let the nations be glad and sing for joy,
4Let the nations be glad and sing for joy,
for you judge the peoples with equity
and guide the nations upon earth. Selah
5Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you.
6The earth has yielded its increase; God, our God, has blessed us.
6The earth has yielded its increase; God, our God, has blessed us.
7May God continue to bless us; let all the ends of the earth revere him.
Verse 1 is a famous verse, used in blessings and benedictions.
The meaning of the word "Selah" is unclear. It could mean a musical interlude, or stop and listen, or could be directions to choir master. Of the 39 psalms dedicated “to the choir master”, 31 contain the word “selah”.
Verses 3, 5 are a repetitive chorus.
This Psalm has an interesting structure:
A) "may God bless”
B) refrain
C) reason for praise - God's love is universal!
B) refrain
A) "may God bless”
B) refrain
C) reason for praise - God's love is universal!
B) refrain
A)“may God continue to bless”
Question for Reflection: How are we living out the reality that God's work of salvation is for the whole world? How is it reflected in our ministry and mission?
We close with prayer:
O God, be gracious to us and bless us and shine your face upon us!
Make your way known upon earth - your saving power on governments and political leaders everywhere! Let the people at CIDA and Match International and Kairos and the Canadian Federal Government and the Opposition praise you! Let ALL the people praise you!
Let the nations be glad and sing with joy, for you love all peoples with equity, regardless of their stance on women's reproductive rights. And you guide the nations upon the earth, even though they sometimes refuse to be guided by your compassion, and are led by ideology. Let the people who read the newspapers and listen to the radio and tune into the television and internet newscasts and everyone who thinks about politics praise you! Let ALL the people praise you! O God, be gracious to us and bless us and shine your face upon us! Amen
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