with you forever John 14:15-21
Right before his death Jesus made a promise to his friends.
I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. John 14:18 NIVJesus words mattered for his first followers and they matter for us today. If God wanted to hide from humanity no one on earth would ever find him.
The Good News is that God wants to be known to us. God wants not only to be known by us: God wants to be so close to us that we can love him. He wants to enter into communion with us and show his face to us. God has made a promise to come towards us. Listen to that promise in the Gospel today. It's a promise is good today and forever: “If you love me, you will obey what I command. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever— John
the only being in all the universe who can make a forever promise is God. I can make you a promise—but as much as I might want that to be a forever promise I don't on my own have that ability.
We humans have limits. Go Monday in the United States on Memorial Day to a cemetery and you'll see the flowers, wreaths and flags left in remembrance. One nation will remember those who have served. Families will remember those who have given of their lives for others. Humans can remember and give thanks knowing both the value and the fragility of human life. But God can meet us beyond death. God can promise and keep a promise to never leave us orphaned both on this earth and in the life to come. For that I give thanks.
We humans have limits. Go Monday in the United States on Memorial Day to a cemetery and you'll see the flowers, wreaths and flags left in remembrance. One nation will remember those who have served. Families will remember those who have given of their lives for others. Humans can remember and give thanks knowing both the value and the fragility of human life. But God can meet us beyond death. God can promise and keep a promise to never leave us orphaned both on this earth and in the life to come. For that I give thanks.
Pax, John.
2 comments:
Just gotta say...it was wonderful to hear from you. I have been praying for you and your family.
Can you pray for us?
A couple who has been fauthful and leading several things at church is having difficulty because the husband is jealous of anything/everything. I have tried to talk to hi, but it is not working well. In fact he is angry with me, too. ..forbidding the wife to attend church. So God can intervene here where I feel inept. Praying for his intervention. Thanks for your prayers.
Peace dear brother,
Nancy
Peace dear borther,
Thanks for your prayers. Another church member, one of Juan's frineds from teen age years, visited him, talked to him , and picked Juan and wife up for church. He did this all without my saying anything. I think God sent him. Thanks for the prayers.
Man! This is a tough job! (smile)
Then I look back, after the difficult situations and think...oh that was not so hard.. Jesus brought us through. Sure seems tough in the moment , though.
Peace,
N
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