12 June

Today Jesus speaks to his disciples and to us of his life being both our window to God and our introduction to the Holy Spirit.

All through these weeks of Eastertide, millions of Christians are reading this gospel according to John. We have been going back over all the things Jesus said to his disciples in the upper room – before he was crucified. Why? Because now we know he IS risen, we can hear them in a new way.

“If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” Once again we hear Jesus link love to obedience. Love for Christ is never just a nice feeling. Love abides where there is obedience to Christ.

“He(the Father) will give you another Advocate.” Here is a frequent theme of our Lord. He was saying that his disciples’ relationship with him could not stop at this point - it was only beginning. In fact, the relationship would have to grow all their lives.

And finally, in today’s gospel: Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” The key words for me here are: So I send you. “All this time I have been teaching you and preparing you for something. And I am not leaving you to do this alone. I have given you the gift of the Holy Spirit, to inspire you, and strengthen you, and to dwell inside of you. And now you have work to do.” Yesterday, at the meeting with Bishop Victor Scantlebury and all of the Confirmands at St. James’ Cathedral, including our Grace Nykol and Alexander Plummer, the Bishop told the gathering that they would receive a gift of the Holy Spirit through prayer and the laying on of hands by the Bishop in the Sacrament of Confirmation. This was not just going to be a nice occasion, or a sort of rite of passage for them. The confirmands would make promises in the service, to reaffirm their renunciation of evil, and renew their commitment to Jesus Christ, and to follow him as Savior and Lord, all words familiar through the Baptism rite. Now they were being prepared for a life of Christian service. At the laying on of hands, the Bishop prayed: “Strengthen, O Lord, your servant Grace, your servant, Alexander, with your Holy Spirit; empower them for your service; and sustain them all the days of their lives. Amen.”

So, being a follower of Christ means living a life of service to God, and being in a relationship with Christ that will grow throughout our lives.

For Grace and Alexander, newly confirmed; for Emma and Elizabeth, baptized at St. Simon’s this morning; and for Tim, Beth, Audrey, Kathryn and McKenzie, who made their First Communions here this morning; and for all of us – may we feel truly called to service in Christ, and may our relationship with Christ be constantly growing, through the power of the Holy Spirit that has been given to us.

May the Peace of Christ bless you this day,

Love,

Fr. Bob+