An Hour is Coming

‘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 judgement: 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 judgement, 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

We are in a time when some who call themselves followers of Christ are condemning the refugees and immigrants as criminals and evil. I think they truly believe they are following God. In Jesus' time the leaders of the temple were like this, choosing their notion of purity over God's commandment to love the outcasts and sinners, to bring justice and healing to all. It is so hard not to turn and condemn their behavior, to turn them into criminals and evil. Oh, some folks are in every group, yet we are called to seek the spirit of truth, trusting we are Christs', and we will be lead to truth through compassion.

Gracious Creator, you provide abundantly for all 

you give us seasons for labor and seasons for learning

we are nestled in your loving arms of tender grace

and we are renewed every morning by the spirit.

Yet we like to condemn others and dismiss them

we revel in our righteousness and their failures

we are quick to judge and slow to forgive

even as you call us to forgive seventy times seven.

Lord, break open our hearts of cruel stone

and make us your people of tender compassion

give us the strength to forgive in every moment

and the humility to ask for your help always. Amen.