I am pondering whether after dinner, Jesus has surprised many – well all really – with the washing of their feet, then he has given them a new commandment, and this time not another one to add to the 900 odd previous ones, they were hoping for some quiet time and possibly even some knattering. Jesus wants to pray for them. He’s connecting, are we? All this in John 17:6-19.
Prayer as a connection
OK but we have been shown how to pray already haven’t we? The Lord’s Prayer, although that’s just one aspect of a much longer Jewish prayer. However, as we have just heard this is a heartfelt prayer, this Jesus praying for us – not as ministers, preachers and worship leaders do up here, where we lead the prayers. There is something different here. Jesus is praying for us, direct to God.
I recall speaking to one lady whose husband isn’t fairing very well currently. I said whether we might be able to help her as she couldn’t currently attend church, and assured her that we pray for both of them. “Oh and we pray for you and Mandy as well” I thought but I only go there two times out of 9 weeks – wow! I was astonished at the directness of that prayer. As I pray for my congregations and beyond into our communities, she was praying for those outside of her congregation. I could feel that connection, that linkage. They are connecting, are we?
Jesus prays for our protection. We are wary of our safety throughout the pandemic. Jesus says that the disciples have been called, set apart and then sent out into the world.
Echo echo…
For those of us who are on social media, have you seen those conversations where we can readily agree to the argument? You might like that post, share it or re-tweet it – whatever you prefer. The social media algorithms ensure that we get our fair share of suitable likeable posts. That way we might stay with that platform. It’s also known as an echo chamber. We can hear what we like to hear. Our echo chamber can be adapted to make it more amenable to ourselves by blocking individuals because we don’t like their arguments. We won’t hear them now. What world do we live in? Is it our world?
To truly live – as in the fullest sense – we need to place others before ourself, which might mean knowing what they say. We are to forgive rather than have control. Can we admit publicly that we got it wrong but then listen onwards? Can we put our arguments online strongly but willing to listen to their response, and not waiting for the likes from our friends?
What of those of us where this social media world is literally another world. You might have life in its fullest already!!
Connecting with ‘all’ others
We are called into this world to meet with others. As Jesus is the one whom links, builds, connects God with our World, so might we. God so loved the world it says earlier in the Gospel – the world here is the Kosmos. God loves more than our echo chamber, more than our social circle, more than Glasgow even…everything. Being in that loving relationship with God, through intentional prayer, means that we may have a heart seeking God’s love to be seen. Felt, experienced wherever we live. Love that doesn’t need criteria to be given, love that isn’t set by rules, nor given by chance, but one that is freely given.
If foreigners are merely those born on the same land as us but divided by a line we draw, should we connect with them? When we see those new to our area, perhaps a little disconcerted, lost maybe, even isolated, we may well feel that we need to connect – regardless of their politics, origin and ethnicity, beliefs.
As Methodists we may be aware of grace – a packed word involving prevenient grace – God’s love is already there before we arrive at the table; justify grace – God’s love for this world through Jesus is already sufficient, we need to do nothing to have of this love; and sanctified grace – we have no need to follow some legalistic rules to gain God’s favour, we strive to show God’s love to all others.
Welcome
So what?
So as we see more and more people in the shops, around where we live, be with them, sit with them in the silence or have a blether with them. Open your doors where possible and allow people to know of your loving welcome. Pray for people, strive to know more of God’s love for you as you take time to ‘be with God’ in that prayer. Let others know that we are part of this world that God created, and tell, show others of that love. A more radical approach can be found considered here.
If foreigners are merely those born on the same land as us but divided by a line we draw, should we connect with them?