5th Sunday of Easter 2026

Jesus said, “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also. And you know the way to the place where I am going.” Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you know me, you will know my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.” Philip said to him, “Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied.” Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and you still do not know me? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own; but the Father who dwells in me does his works. Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; but if you do not, then believe me because of the works themselves. Very truly, I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do and, in fact, will do greater works than these, because I am going to the Father. I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If in my name you ask me for anything, I will do it.”a-14 

 It is easy to say, do not be afraid. It is much harder to live it. Jesus was preparing to leave his disciples and face death upon the cross. His disciples really didn't understand it, nor do we today sometimes. In this frantic world where so many factions are fighting against one another, it is hard to believe that God is in the midst of us. And yet Jesus says, do not let your hearts be trouble. He tells us there is space for all of us, no matter how different and complicated. We might be Jesus promises to care for us even when we don't necessarily feel safe or cared for. One of the things we can do in these days is to be people of prayer and calm. Prayer and calm allow us to be kind and patient with other people. Sometimes we have to breathe deeply and sometimes we have to walk away. Jesus promised to be with us in the hardest of days around the most difficult people. Let not your hearts be troubled. 

 Gracious Creator, you have made space for us all 

and from the four directions you call us to yourself. 

Lord Jesus, help us to seek you in these troubling days.,

 We live in turbulent times and folks are called criminals 

when they are just seeking a safer life for their family. 

Lord Jesus, help us to seek you in these troubling days.

 The truth is twisted and we struggle to believe anything 

yet you remind us that we have a home with you always. 

Lord Jesus, help us to seek you in these troubling days. 

Make us prayerful and compassionate in these hard times 

and make your light and love shine through each day. 

Lord Jesus, help us to seek you in these troubling days.

Help us to remember to seek your face in our darkest nights 

for you have made a home for us and we are never alone in you. 

Lord Jesus, help us to seek you in these troubling days. Amen

A Simple Grain

Now among those who went up to worship at the festival were some Greeks. They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and said to him, ‘Sir, we wish to see Jesus.’ Philip went and told Andrew; then Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus. Jesus answered them, ‘The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Very truly, I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. Those who love their life lose it, and those who hate their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there will my servant be also. Whoever serves me, the Father will honor. John 12:20-26

I have been scouring seed catalogs and looking longingly at plants. Unfortunately, despite it being May 1st, here in New England we have to wait a bit longer. We have had very cold nights with frost. Those fragile seeds and grains, need enough sun and warmth to break open, to die, so new life is formed. There is a time for everything. Jesus is reminding his disciples about how it is time for them to plant and reap. Their ways and traditions barred them from including foreigners and non-believers from religious conversations. It was time to break down the walls and the barriers. We all have to be broken open, and change our ways in order to bear fruit, to bring light and love to the world. We cannot carry a hard protective shell and really live faithfully. 

Wondrous Creator, who breathes life into creation

you animate us with love and joys with our people

and ask us to stretch so other might know your love.

We don't like those who challenge our way of life

who, in their difference teach us ways to change

while we would rather stay inside our familiar shell.

Break open our hearts today, dear Lord, so we love

those who do not know our traditions and our ways

and blossom bearing the fruit of your divine love. Amen.