Not Left Alone

Again he said to them, ‘I am going away, and you will search for me, but you will die in your sin. Where I am going, you cannot come.’ Then the Jews said, ‘Is he going to kill himself? Is that what he means by saying, “Where I am going, you cannot come”?’ He said to them, ‘You are from below, I am from above; you are of this world, I am not of this world. I told you that you would die in your sins, for you will die in your sins unless you believe that I am he.’ They said to him, ‘Who are you?’ Jesus said to them, ‘Why do I speak to you at all? I have much to say about you and much to condemn; but the one who sent me is true, and I declare to the world what I have heard from him.’ They did not understand that he was speaking to them about the Father. So Jesus said, ‘When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will realize that I am he, and that I do nothing on my own, but I speak these things as the Father instructed me. And the one who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone, for I always do what is pleasing to him.’ As he was saying these things, many believed in him. Then Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, ‘If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.’ John 8:21-32

We often flinch and move away from folks who are challenged or in trouble. Even Jesus could not be alone in his ministry, and none of us can do our lives and ministries alone. Traditionally, Indigenous people brought others alone to support, teach and grow together. Folks weren't called weak or strong, less than or incapacitated. We needed each other historically and we need each other now more than ever. God is calling us all in this very fragile time to serve as disciples, to listen to God's living word and to act with truth and compassion, relying on one another. God is calling us to deep listening, deep compassion and constant companionship.

Loving Creator, you put your heart within us

you bring us up in communities of deep faith

and walk with us in the darkest times in history.

These days are uncomfortable and dangerous

we fear the newly arrived and the poorest ones

and have forgotten how to walk with others here.

Lord, lift up our heads so we see the needs here

empower us with your spirit and your truth

so that we might be your disciples here and now. Amen.