Jesus said, "I will not leave you orphaned; I am coming to you. In a little while the world will no longer see me, but you will see me; because I live, you also will live. On that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you. They 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." Judas (not Iscariot) said to him, "Lord, how is it that you will reveal yourself to us, and not to the world?" 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. Whoever 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.
"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. You 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. And now I have told you this before it occurs, so that when it does occur, you may believe. I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming. He has no power over me; but I do as the Father has commanded me, so that the world may know that I love the Father. Rise, let us be on our way." John 14:18-31
What is ahead in our lives is still a bit unclear. We know our time is ending in Alaska at June's end, but we don't know all of the details of the next years. We are on the cusp, with gratitude for all we have experienced and hopefulness with what lies ahead. And yet there is anxiety and much to do. It can cause one's heart to be troubled. Being on the edge, on this liminal, in between time, can be very powerful and quite unnerving. Sometimes all we can do is trust and pray.
John's gospel tells us of Jesus' reassurance to his disciples. Aware the days to come will be harrowing, he is trying to help them see the bigger picture. Helping them see that they are rooted in the heart of God and that God is in charge. God will see them through and deliver peace beyond measure. They must have been very puzzled by these words and yet, I troubling times, held fast to these promises. And so must we. When we face troubling days and times when we are overwhelmed and unclear how to proceed, we are invited to rest in the promise that God has made a home with us. We are not alone in the transitions and changes we face. God is with us and will bring us peace.
Today I ask God for a deep measure of peace. May we remember that God has truly taken up residence with us, that we are infinitely bound to the Creator and woven into the love of the Divine. May we live that trust and make love our only task today.
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