John 14.15-17, 25-27

(Jesus said,) "If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, to be with you forever. This is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, because he abides with you, and he will be in you."

"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."

Questions for engaging the text:

- What do I observe" What am I seeing" Does this passage raise questions for me?

- Is anything attracting me, drawing my attention, or repulsing me?

-What response is emerging within me? What is my response to what is attracting me?***

-In what ways might I specifically act on my insights in the world

*** 1st three questions taken from The Art of Engaging Holy Scripture curriculum (see resources).

I really want to hear from you. Thank you for clicking on "Comments" below and adding your responses. Debra

Reflection on John 17.20-26

Here is my reflection on John's text. I hope you will post your reflection by clicking on comments below. I look forward to seeing how this text engaged you. Debra

I observe Jesus praying. He is not only praying for his disciples but also for whoever in the future will believe the words of his disciples. And so I notice that even though these words are ancient I am immediately implicated because I believe.

I am attracted to Jesus’ inclusion of the disciples, then and now, in his relationship with God the Father. “The glory that you (God) have given me I have given them, so that they may be one, as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become completely one…” In some mysterious way when I, or anyone, choose to believe we participate in the relationship of Jesus and God the Father. Participating in Divine relationship we “may become completely one.” It excites me to imagine being part of the Holy Trinity, actually being one in the unity that is diversity.

I respond to Jesus' prayer with my own prayer. Holy God, Lord Jesus Christ, thank you for including me and all who believe in the unity of Your divine life. Even writing that sentence feels too glorious for me. I know that I constantly forget, that my belief is fickle as a leaf drifting on spring winds. Still, Jesus proclaimed that You loved him “before the foundation of the world.” And since we are all one You must love me the same. Please give me the grace to love as Jesus loved. Let me be an instrument of Your love, a revelation of Your love in the world today. Amen