Faith Daily | 17 May 2021

PRAYER of the DAY - EASTER SEVEN APBA p519

O God,

you withdraw from our sight

that you may be known by our love:

help us to enter the cloud where you are hidden,

and to surrender all our certainty

to the darkness of faith

in Jesus Christ.

Amen.

GOSPEL for the Day: John 16:29-33

29 His disciples said, ‘Yes, now you are speaking plainly, not in any figure of speech! 30Now we know that you know all things, and do not need to have anyone question you; by this we believe that you came from God.’ 31Jesus answered them, ‘Do you now believe? 32The hour is coming, indeed it has come, when you will be scattered, each one to his home, and you will leave me alone. Yet I am not alone because the Father is with me. 33I have said this to you, so that in me you may have peace. In the world you face persecution. But take courage; I have conquered the world!’

GOSPEL Reflection: Contributed by Alison Dorman

I struggle sometimes when someone appears to be speaking in riddles or code or metaphors that I do not understand and I can feel as if we are not on the same wavelength. I can identify with the disciples who often asked Jesus to speak more plainly. It can be confusing. How do I overcome that confusion to bring more clarity to the conversation? Asking clarifying questions can help, and being completely open in my responses. This brings trust and builds the relationship. So what does this mean for my relationship with God, the Holy Trinity? I don’t have the benefit of speaking to Jesus face to face, but I do have the benefit of knowing God through what I have learnt and also importantly what I have experienced of God in my life. If I don’t understand what God is trying to say to me, I need to ask and also draw on my previous experience. I know that I have found the peace that Jesus is talking about by reflecting on my life up to this time. Life is not always easy and I draw on the courage and strength from reflecting on Jesus’ words in the scriptures and also how I have drawn on that strength and courage through difficult times in the past. I find this encouraging and it builds my trust that “All shall be well" in the future as well.

The disciples said they believed that Jesus came from God and indeed knew all things and didn’t need to question. This built their trust in him as the Son of God. Their relationship with him was not a ‘straight line’ upwards, but as with us, it demanded constant communication and building of trust that they could indeed find peace and believe.

FINAL PRAYER: Jim Cotter "Unfolding the Word"

Living Presence of the peace

that is more marvellous than we could understand,

which again and again we fail to give to one another,

and which we so desperately need,

renew in us the gift that you have promised,

calm our troubled hearts,

and melt our ever fear,

that we may let your peace spread through us,

so that, calm and centred,

we may become peacemakers

in our communities and throughout the world.

We pray this in the Spirit of the Universal Christ,

the Resurrection and the Life.

Amen