The Hour is Coming

 

 

 

Jesus said to them, "Very truly, I tell you, the Son can do nothing on his own, but only what he sees the Father doing; for whatever the Father does, the Son does likewise. The Father loves the Son and shows him all that he himself is doing; and he will show him greater works than these, so that you will be astonished. Indeed, just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so also the Son gives life to whomever he wishes. The Father judges no one but has given all judgment to the Son, so that all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father. Anyone who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him. Very truly, I tell you, anyone who hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life, and does not come under judgment, but has passed from death to life.

"Very truly, I tell you, the hour is coming, and is now here, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live. For just as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself; and he has given him authority to execute judgment, because he is the Son of Man. Do not be astonished at this; for the hour is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice and will come out - those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation."  John 5:19-29

 

We arrived last night just as the snow was falling. Overnight we got somewhere between four and six inches. We left Alaska in 40 plus degree weather and find ourselves in 14 degrees and a half a foot of snow in South Jersey. It feels as if everything is off balance and topsy-turvy. Usually it is milder here that in most of the state and snow is limited by the relative warmth of the ocean. It is nice to be home though, even for a few days. The connection with home and family is important, and the ability to renew those relationships is essential to me.

 

Jesus reminds his disciples that he is intimately tied to God, woven together in all they do. And we are embedded in that relationship, woven with the holy Trinity, given power and strength by our belonging. Jesus reminds us today that we are not solely independent beings but bound together, and surrounded by the love of God. We sink or swim together, we thrive and perish together.

 

Today I ask God to help me lovingly renew relationships as we travel, and to let go of expectations, taking people just as they are. May we trust in God that we are embedded deeply in the heart of God, freed to love and thrive as children of the Creator. Today may we live like the family of God.