Eucharistic Readings for the 6th Week of Easter: Year C
Acts 16:9 to 15; Psalm 67; Revelation 21:10 and 22 to 22:5; John 14:23 to 29 or John 5:1 to 9:
“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.” (John 14:23)
So much of our Christian teaching has to do with us going to God. But here Jesus says that He and the Creator will come to us, and make their home with us! It might be time for some spring cleaning! What will it look like for God in the person of Christ Jesus to come and live in you? Will people see that God is acting out in you? When (not if) this happens, how can we get out of the way so that God can do God’s work?
Jesus gives us a peace which surpasses all understanding. We have a peace which will assist us in resolving our problems – if we would but give it a chance. When Jesus, with the Creator comes to live with us and gives us this divine peace, how do we live into it? Blaise Pascal says. “The heart has its reasons which reason knows not.” and “All of humanity’s problems stem from man’s inability to sit quietly in a room alone.” How about sitting quietly in a room with the Holy Spirit of Jesus, with the Peace that Jesus leaves with us? “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.” (John 14:27)
In our alternative John reading, our Lord asks the man who had been ill for 38 years, “if he wanted to be made well?” (John 5:6)
For me, morning exercise is so wonderful! The mornings are quiet. Exercise starts the blood moving. And, while it is good for the whole body, it is especially good for the brain. It is with such an awakened mind that I review my journal just prior to posting to my blog site. When I think of newborn babies I recall that they first express their aliveness in movement. This is the way we are made. We move and then we reason, think, we pray and ponder. But it starts with the One in Whom we live and “move” and have our being. This is God Almighty, the Alpha and the Omega. Yes, I want to be made well. Being made well requires effort on me as well and no excuses about what others are doing to me.
Every day I also play the piano. The amount of time spent playing is not always the same. Some days are shorter, some days longer. I don’t know how fast I am improving. But I like hearing the music that I make. And here is the best part; it is me that is doing it! I did not give up on me. I am reminded that we don’t quit playing because we grow old; we grow old because we quit playing. That is just as true in music as it is in sports and exercise. Thirty eight years is nothing. I’m almost twice that. We must keep on keeping on. Thank You Lord Jesus.
As God comes to us God can make a home in Ukraine. How wonderful for them to be made well.
As we listen to what the Spirit is saying to us, let us live to love, to serve, and to teach, while pondering anew what the Almighty can do. John
onewhoponders 