We are dust, but we are loved
By Lisa Kramme, Director of Faith Formation
And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, to
be with you forever. This is the Spirit of truth, whom the
world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him,
because he abides with you, and he will be in you. - John 14:16-17
As I stood at the sink washing Mom’s dishes
the day after Dad died, she walked up to me, gave me a kiss on the cheek, and
said, “That’s from your dad. He gave me
that kiss before he left in the ambulance, and now I’ve given that kiss to you
and your brothers and sister, too.” This
happened over 25 years ago, and it’s still a treasured memory in my heart. The reading from John comes only four
chapters before Jesus is arrested and the arduous journey toward the cross
begins. Reading these verses, I’m
reminded of my dad’s kiss. I feel convinced that both Jesus, and my dad
wanted the people they love to know they are loved and to continue feeling
supported by that love throughout their own lives.
Jesus’ offer of the Advocate to be with his
followers is a gift that continues to be shared, and it’s a gift that’s shared
with us. How do we remind one another of
the gift that the Spirit is? In what
ways do we set aside time and space to notice the Spirit’s abiding in our lives
and in the broader world around us? If
you’re looking for resources that support your journey with the Spirit, the
Nebraska Synod’s Seeking the Spirit Within and Faith Formation ministries have
offerings that you may want to explore.
Loving Jesus, help us to
remind each other of your love and your Spirit among us so that, as church
together, we can remind the world of your love and presence, too. Amen.
Comments
Post a Comment