Makin It With Yeasty Hearts and Minds
Easter 6a, May 29, 2011 - John 14:15-21 with Acts 17:22-31 and I Peter 3:13-22 in b.g.
Have you ever wondered just how you were going to make it without someone or something? There have been times in my life when I have wondered about that for others and myself. Nine years ago this Sunday I baptized a little girl. She was the third child in a family of 3 girls. Her mom and dad and sisters loved her very much. Financially they were well off. Emotionally, they greatly supported each other. This little girl's mom had the kind of faith that is strong and abiding. That mother lived with a faith that was grounded in the reality of life. She hadn't grown up in a Christian family. But somehow through friends and circumstances, the Spirit of God was moving. And this mom had grown in trusting God through Jesus Christ.
Not long after that little girl's baptism the family jetted off to Disneyland for a grand holiday. But near the end of that holiday the mom wasn't feeling well. As a nurse she realized that something wasn't right. As soon as she arrived home she headed off to the Emergency Room of the local hospital. Within a few hours she was air evacuated to the larger center of Vancouver. She had cancer markings that were sky high. Subsequently she was diagnosed with leukemia. Thus began the journey of wonderful ups and severe lows, of searching for, finding and eventually procuring a bone marrow donor. She was separated from her family and her baby daughter sometimes for months as she underwent treatment. But eventually she could return home and resume her active love for her family. But then suddenly after a number of more wonderful years with her husband and children, this mother became critically ill and died.
Many times during those years of the mother's illness – and even now in the wake of her death, I wonder how they will make it, without their mom and wife being there. She won't physically be with her girls, for their graduations, for the ups and downs of their ongoing relationships, for those critical decisions -will this be the one, what shall I do with my life. And she won't physically be there to pray with and for them and as they wrestle with their own understanding and faith questions: where is God in the midst of all these realities? I often wonder, how will they make it without her?
Jesus had just told his disciples that he would be leaving them. Understandably they are anxious. They don't understand why he should die now. They demand to see God. Then Jesus in his abiding love for them makes them a promise. "And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Paraclete (Advocate), to be with you forever."
Now the word translated Advocate is actually Paraclete. This word can mean many different things. It can be a person who comes and stands beside you during times of trial. In that process it can be one who speaks on your behalf or encourages you in the midst of whatever trials you are undergoing. But in this case in John's Gospel I am convinced that Jesus is really speaking about this Advocate speaking on his behalf to us, to any who might "hear" or "see". Let me say that again. Here (in this text), the role of the advocate is to speak to people of Jesus. This Advocate (whom the Church has often referred to as the Holy Spirit) comes to speak the truth to us. Firstly the truth (as in the reality) of whatever situation we find ourselves in. We need help. We need to be loved. We can't do it on our own. Even though we may give our best effort, when we hurt others. Sometimes we also hurt ourselves intentionally or unconsciously. We say things that are hurtful. We do things that are hurtful. We refuse to see or acknowledge that we aren't God. Often we do not trust God. The Advocate speaks to us, showing us all that.
But thanks be to God, this isn't all that the Advocate does. This Advocate also speaks to us of Jesus. Jesus tells his early disciples and through them the Advocate also speaks to us of Jesus: I will not leave you orphaned. That is even though you will no longer be able to see me physically, I have not abandoned you. I am sending you a part of myself. I will live with you and in you, and among you. And since I am in God – God is also there among you and with you.
I suspect that's why Jesus keeps telling those early disciples to keep his commandments. For John this isn't a long laundry list of do's and don'ts. Rather keeping Jesus' commandments has to do with loving in the way that he loves. That's what he told them the evening he washes their feet. Even as I have loved you, so you also ought to love one another.
Jesus actually loves us! I am not talking about like here. Sometimes love, this love that is "all in", that is committed to the other's well being, has nothing to do with liking what the other person does or says. In fact love often acts, is given and empties itself despite the other's actions or words. Jesus' love takes this reality to the max. When we begin to grasp or more accurately as we begin to realize that we are being embraced or even grasped by the love of God in Jesus, it's like a leaven that begins to flow through our hearts and minds. We begin to see others, the creation and even ourselves more honestly. I am loved. I am forgiven by God in Jesus Christ! Wow. How could I ever hate or even not care about others?
The Spirit of truth, this Advocate Jesus promises, is here among us. Listen - as we sing and pray, as we work and play as you see others and interact with others wherever you go. We are not alone.
Truly, we can no longer physically see Jesus with our eyes. He has died. But Jesus has also risen. Because he lives we too can live and love.
This is my hope when I am wondering just how on earth I am going to make it or how you are going to make it when the trials of life and death overtake us. Listen! Revel in life with that advocate. And, by the grace of God obey Christ's commands. Although we may be literally orphans, together we are being embraced by the love of God in ways that bring new life out of death. For Christ is risen – HE IS RISEN INDEED. Amen.