Friday, May 15, 2009

Friday, May 15, 2009

Today’s text

John 15:15,16


I shall no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know the master's business; I call you friends, because I have made known to you everything I have learnt from my Father. You did not choose me, no, I chose you; and I commissioned you to go out and to bear fruit, fruit that will last; so that the Father will give you anything you ask him in my name.

Reflection

I live too much of my life far from this knowledge. The words here invite a confidence and purpose far beyond the frequent uncertainties of my soul.

Oh, of you I am quite certain, Jesus. I have no real doubts, but of myself I have little except for uncertainty, not knowing what I am to do, uncertain of who I really am, hesitating when I should step forward and lead, ever doubting that what I do is helpful, well-informed or in any way useful.

But here you commission me to go, to bear fruit, to reveal the depth of God as those depths are revealed in the love that intimately passes between you, Jesus, and the One you call Father. You dwell in intimate sharing with that One, and you invite me to do the same with you, so that the knowledge I have is not second-hand, but immediate and … certain.

Is it there, in this certainty of knowing you, that our steps find the surety and resolve that filled you during your earthly ministry? Is it there that I find the equanimity and assurance to live with confidence, knowing that you are my friend, and will be even when I am not much of a friend to you?

I want this confident joy, which is had only by knowing you, only by having you reveal in me the love you are, only by knowing the mystery of what you awaken in me when I feel enveloped by you.

Then, I am known, and I know. I know you know me. And I know I am chosen by Love, for Love, to Love, and it doesn’t really matter where I am or what I am doing. For your friendship fills me, and I know what to do and how to live, no matter where I am or where I go.

Pr. David L. Miller

Thursday, May 14, 2009

Thursday, May 14, 2009

Today’s text

John 15:9-11


I have loved you just as the Father has loved me. Remain in my love. If you keep my commandments you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my own joy may be in you and your joy be complete.

Reflection

Your commandment is that we abide in you, Jesus, abide with you in the arms of the Eternal One. You call that Mystery ‘Father’ and know him as love, but your words are no more adequate to the Mystery than are mine.

Your command is that we seek in every space the face of that Love, to look upon every story as a holy story, a story where you are, where love labors, where the central struggle is to live fully.

Every story is the story of a struggle to come fully alive amid all that prevents it, even though what prevents it is usually we ourselves, in one way or another.

Every one is the story of the struggle of life with death, of love with ego. Yes, ego, for it is ego that moves me to withdraw into a self-protective shell. It is fearful ego that narrows vision to mere narcissism so that I can see only what immediately affects me.

It is ego that keeps me from seeing the stories and struggles of life to live in the souls of others. And not seeing them, my soul remains unmoved by the loving desire for life in abundance that is there. I fail to see their hunger for joy, for freedom and love.

You command me to remain, to abide in you. But how and where …if not to seek vision of your loving longing amid all of life, and especially where the struggle is most intense?

Pr. David L. Miller