Wednesday 24 April 2024

Today is Wednesday 24 April, in the 4th week of Eastertide.

The Kyiv Chamber Choir, sing the Credo: “I believe in one God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.” As I start this prayer today, can I join in with this strong, almost exuberant expression of faith? Can I begin by declaring my faith in my God, my creator, my heavenly Father?

(Lyrics currently unavailable)

Today’s reading is from the Gospel of John.

John 12: 44-50

Then Jesus cried aloud: ‘Whoever believes in me believes not in me but in him who sent me. And whoever sees me sees him who sent me. I have come as light into the world, so that everyone who believes in me should not remain in the darkness. I do not judge anyone who hears my words and does not keep them, for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world. The one who rejects me and does not receive my word has a judge; on the last day the word that I have spoken will serve as judge, for I have not spoken on my own, but the Father who sent me has himself given me a commandment about what to say and what to speak. And I know that his commandment is eternal life. What I speak, therefore, I speak just as the Father has told me.’

We hear that Jesus “cried aloud” the words of today’s passage… This means that every word must have been very important. How does Jesus sound to you?

Jesus says, “‘Whoever believes in me believes not in me but in him who sent me.” How do you experience believing in Jesus? Can you visualise your belief? Perhaps it is something you physically feel… Or maybe something else?

Jesus has come as light into the world. What does this mean to you? How do you visualise this?

As you listen again, notice if a particular word or phrase stays with you…

‘What I speak, therefore, I speak just as the Father has told me.’ In these final moments, speak to Jesus, or God the Father, about anything you wouldn’t want to leave unfinished from this prayer time.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.