Eucharistic Gospel Reading for the Seventh Week of Easter: Year C
“Jesus prayed for his disciples, and then he said, “I ask not only on behalf of these, but also on behalf of those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one.” (John 17:20 and 21)
Jesus prays not only for those standing with him more than 2000 years ago, but also for us today who have come to believe through their writings, teachings and tradition of worship. The story of Jesus is the greatest “hand-me-down” gift we could ever receive, or give. And, to believe, in order that we all might be one with our Lord Jesus, is life-saving and redeeming.
As we continue to follow the apostles and disciples of Jesus, their words continue on from Jerusalem, through the Church in Rome, and for us, on the Episcopal path, through England to, and through, Christ Episcopal Church Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. We have the Gospel words of Matthew, Mark, and John, . And we have Paul, Peter, James and others. I didn’t forget about Luke, but Luke did not know Jesus personally as did those Gospel Evangelists I named. Luke, like us today, is a recipient of the original follower’s words in which we too come to believe, just as Jesus prayed that “also on behalf of those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one.” These sacred words are still being passed on to us, and from us, to those put in our path today, child or adult, family or friend.
We are a mouth-to-ear people by way of reading our sacred text to one another. We talk about our Lord Jesus and we try as best we can to follow him. It is by word and deed that we show who we are, and who Jesus is. The Word of Jesus is to Love God and love our neighbor as Jesus loved us. And Jesus loved us to death. So too, we are called to love others in the same way, to death. I will confess there are people that I am willing to lay my life down for. I will also say that the more people that are in danger, the more likely I am to give my life, and yes, especially children. I enlisted in the Marines and was sent to many hazardous clime and places during my 30 years on active duty. It could have cost me my life for this nation. And I understood that. Last weekend we remembered all who have paid the ultimate sacrifice for this nation.
As long as I am confessing, let me say that I know some people that I will not give my life for. I have (perhaps wrongly) judged them not worthy because of what I have observed of them. I have looked upon their addiction, their lack of compassion for others; their hatred of those different than themselves. I am not Jesus. Jesus would still die for those I deem unworthy. I don’t think I would die for a child abuser or murderer. I’m not Jesus. Jesus loves each and every one of us to death. I struggle with my lack of desire to be more like Jesus. Sadly, I don’t think I even want to be that much like Jesus. I am not proud of how I feel. I am being very honest. Jesus, God Incarnate, loves all people, without exception. As for me, I have heard the Word and I do believe.
Each Sunday we, as a community of the faithful ask God in Christ Jesus to be imbedded in the bread and wine that we then consume. In this way, He is in us and as God is in Him, God Almighty, dwells in us and is refreshed each week as we make our way here together. So the complete verse is, As you, Father, are in me and I am in you, may they also be in us.” (John 17:20 and 21)
As we listen to what the Spirit is saying to us, let us live to love and to serve, and to teach others to love and to serve while pondering anew what the Almighty can do. John
Seventh Sunday of Easter: The Sunday after Ascension Day (BCP p. 226)
O God, the King of glory, you have exalted your only Son Jesus Christ with great triumph to your kingdom in heaven: Do not leave us comfortless, but send us your Holy Spirit to strengthen us, and exalt us to that place where our Savior Christ has gone before; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.
onewhoponders 