I was delighted to be assigned the readings for today’s Reflection, on at least two counts. First, my preference for New Testament teachings has been long evident in my submissions; today, both readings (Acts and John) are hopeful messages based in the life of Christ and the creation of His church. Second, unique phrasing in both readings immediately grabbed my attention for their vivid imagery!
John 16 tells us that “Jesus said to his disciples: ‘I have much more to tell you, but you cannot bear it now’.” I imagined the deep grief they were experiencing as they heard from Jesus that his earthy life was ending, yet the words seemingly foretold that there would be a time that they would be together again. When my grandmother died while I was in my twenties, I found it difficult to imagine a greater loss; it would have been much too much ‘to bear’ to learn that I would also face, because of my love for her, likely persecution and death. But to somehow come to believe that through Christ’s resurrection and the presence and wisdom of the holy spirit, that the grace of my own life after death - and a reunion with her - was promised because of that same love? Wow. Such a revelation would certainly have brought me some peace. As such, I like to think that Jesus’ words “I have much more to tell you” called the disciples (and calls us, too!) to trust, to believe, that God is with us everywhere, every day, and that the Kingdom of Heaven will provide us the opportunity to meet our God and all of our ancestors, ensuring our everlasting life is one of joy as well as peace.
In the reading from Acts, I found equally compelling and beautiful, really, the verses: “He made from one the whole human race to dwell on the entire surface of the earth, and he fixed the ordered seasons and the boundaries of their regions, so that people might seek God, even perhaps grope for him and find him, though indeed he is not far from any one of us.” To blindly ‘grope’ for God, even as God is ever with me, perhaps just over my shoulder if I would just tilt my chin a fraction, or listen with a quieted soul? The image came to me of a frightened, lost child flailing to find their parent, groping in the dark for the beloved person standing within arm’s reach. That image brought both a smile to my face and a tear to my eye. God is with us. We are “God’s offspring.” We are Beloved.
Today, may we all successfully grope for God. May we open ourselves to the blessings of the Holy Spirit and praise the Christ who binds us all together. And may we do these things with and for all God’s children, preparing the way to eternal life. Amen.
Kimberly Grassmeyer
I’ve been an educator at the postsecondary level for nearly 40 years – both as a Higher Education administrator in Student Affairs work, and as a part-time faculty member – at Creighton University and several other mid-western schools. In the midst of that time, I also worked as a consultant to universities across Canada, the United States and Mexico. It is my honor to be closing out my professional life at Creighton, where my professional, personal and faith values dance together in an enriching partnership.
As a seeker and a sinner I am wholly imperfect, which is to say I am the human that God created me to be. My faith is often quite strong; at other moments it is shaken to its core. I am not a scholar of the Bible nor do I consider myself to be faithful enough or wise enough to lead others in their faith journey…. which is why (apparently) my gracious colleagues believe that I may have something of value to say to the other seekers in the world! I hope that my thoughts and provocations may in some measure provide perspective, pause, laughter, grace, and some peace to you.
