Collect for Easter 6
1 Peter 3: 13-22
John 14: 15-21
“Parting is such sweet sorrow”. That’s all very well for Juliet – she’s looking forward to marrying Romeo the next day, and the delight of expectation is building with each hour’s delay. Little does she know what’s going to happen.
Neither did the disciples, and according to John’s Gospel account of the Last Supper, unlike Juliet, their troubled hearts suggest they’re not looking forward to it much.
Jesus tries to reassure them, but only after His passion and Resurrection will they remember what He said and understand that the road to Freedom will necessitate travel through the darkest of dark moments. However they will not be alone, and His parting from them will only be for a short time – and then they will be with Him for eternity.
Peter’s letter shows that he did finally understand. Initially, he was reluctant to allow Jesus the Servant King to wash his feet. In the garden late that night He fought those who came to arrest Jesus. In fear, he denied that he was one of Jesus’ followers. After the crucifixion, he hid to escape being arrested.
And then, his life changed. No longer frightened no matter what happened. The empty tomb. The upper room. The miraculous catch of fish at the sea of Tiberius. Forgiveness and commissioning. Establishing the Church. Proclaiming the gift of the Holy Spirit. Proclaiming the Good News. Eventual martyrdom. Faithfully doing right, whatever suffering might ensue.
We too are challenged to live as disciples, and we have the benefit of scripture and history. We know that the story will end with Christ victorious. Whatever the ups and downs of life, no matter how we are maligned, whatever difficulties we face, we know that He is with us always; we lift high His Cross – and live.
The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace.”’
Go in peace, to love and praise the Lord and all His creation, giving thanks for the blessings of tomorrow – and the day after, then the day after that, and all your days. In the name of Christ. Amen
Previous Posts
Praying Together 30th March 2025
As Julian of Norwich wrote, ‘the example of a mother’s service is closest, most willing, and most sure because it is most true’, and thus we use that example as part of our Lenten journey.
Praying Together 23rd March 2025
God gives us the freedom to make that choice, and will always offer us another chance when we fail, as He did to the barren fig tree.
Praying Together 16 March 2025
Unlike the other tragic heroes, Jesus has no flaw or blemish other than those inflicted by others: the scars on His back, the thorn-blood on His forehead, the betrayal by His friend.
Praying Together March 9th 2025
God’s demand for perfection need not discourage you in the least in your present attempts to be good, or even in your present failures.
Praying Together 2nd March 2025
God of the nations, whose sovereign rule brings justice and peace, have mercy on our broken and divided world.
Praying Together 23 February 2025
Meditation for the Second Sunday before Lent CollectAlmighty God,you have created the heavens and the earthand made us in your own image:Teach us to discern your hand in all your worksand your likeness in all your children;through Jesus Christ our Lord,who with you...
Praying Together 16th February 2025
And if you accept Him as Lord, allow Him to lead you as you walk into the future without looking back, and do what He has equipped you to do as His body on earth
Praying Together 9th February 2025
We are all asked to have the faith to put out into deep water, but we must remember that we will never be on our own. Peter’s ministry was made possible by the power of the Holy Spirit, as will ours.
Praying Together 2nd February 2025
We are all called to be the Body of Christ in His entirety – and we are to take the example of all ‘Saints’ who have gone before, both male and female, as models of our required behaviour.
Praying Together 26th January 2025
Most importantly, in the face of what appears to be a society built upon prejudice and hatred, we are sustained and strengthened by the knowledge that in the end, love will triumph, leaving the wordly values of the tyrant to be forgotten.
Praying Together 19th January 2025
Jesus has demonstrated His authority and power. He takes something ordinary, and it becomes extraordinary. He turns water to wine. He heals the past and offers a new future. He changes his followers from sinner to saint.
Meditations 5th January 2025
With the same eyes as the Magi, we look into the manger, see the light of the world – be it for the first time, after a dark time, or in our daily devotions – and every time we see something new.