Going Away

Jesus said, “I have said these things to you to keep you from stumbling. They will put you out of the synagogues. Indeed, an hour is coming when those who kill you will think that by doing so they are offering worship to God. And they will do this because they have not known the Father or me. But I have said these things to you so that when their hour comes you may remember that I told you about them. “I did not say these things to you from the beginning, because I was with you. But now I am going to him who sent me; yet none of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’ But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your hearts. Nevertheless I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. And when he comes, he will prove the world wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment: about sin, because they do not believe in me; about righteousness, because I am going to the Father and you will see me no longer; about judgment, because the ruler of this world has been condemned. “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth; for he will not speak on his own, but will speak whatever he hears, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. He will glorify me, because he will take what is mine and declare it to you. All that the Father has is mine. For this reason I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you.” John 16:1-15

Loving Creator, we are here for a season

the round earth turns again and again

and the season of leaving is upon us

we must learn to thrive in new ways.

We are people caught between worlds

the face paced pushing of our cities

and the gentle breathing of our people

our homelands are within us even away.

You remind us that where ever we dwell

your spirit is always present with every one

and in our turning and our changing times

your spirit can not be sent away from us.

Precious Savior, be fiercely among us today

we are weary from the rapid changes here

strengthen our hearts, our spirits and our beings

that we might show you love in our day. Amen.