Sunday 12 May 2024

Today is Sunday 12 May, beginning the 7th week of Eastertide.

The Community of Taizé sing Bliebet hier: ‘Stay with me; remain here with me. Watch and pray.’ Whatever promptings I might feel right now to move, to get on with the day, to move on to the next thing, can I settle myself for these few minutes of prayer now, and be content just to remain here with the Lord?

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Today’s reading is from the Gospel of John.

John 17:11-19

And now I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them in your name that you have given me, so that they may be one, as we are one. While I was with them, I protected them in your name that you have given me. I guarded them, and not one of them was lost except the one destined to be lost, so that the scripture might be fulfilled. But now I am coming to you, and I speak these things in the world so that they may have my joy made complete in themselves. I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. I am not asking you to take them out of the world, but I ask you to protect them from the evil one. They do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. As you have sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. And for their sakes I sanctify myself, so that they also may be sanctified in truth.

In today’s Sabbath reading from John’s Gospel, we are presented with a profound moment in Jesus' life, often referred to as his "High Priestly Prayer." He prays for his disciples, asking God to protect them and keep them unified in his name. He prays for their continued loyalty to the Good News and for unity among them.

Jesus asks the Father to protect his friends. Perhaps you are reminded of the Lord’s Prayer, this is often recognised as John’s own Lord’s prayer, hearing Jesus ask for all that we ask of God.

How aware are you of the community of faith that surrounds you today?

How do you experience a sense of one-ness with the community and with the Lord?

Is this something that seems remote? Something that nourishes you?

How might you help in fostering a sense of togetherness in your community?

Jesus recognises that his disciples are in the world but not of it. We are called to be people of the Kingdom. Consider how you have been called to live out your faith in daily life. Where have been the challenges? Where have been the consolations?

‘One was lost, although that was foreseen from all time.’

What does it mean to you that Jesus remembers, and prays for the one who was lost?

When we consider those who seem far away from God presence – is this a reassurance of belonging?

As we listen to the passage again – join your prayers to the Lord. Open your heart to a blessing and a commitment to truth and authenticity in who you are in Christ.

As this time draws to a close, you might like to accept the invitation to spend time in the Lord’s presence.

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.