I was so delighted that the Gospel reading for today - and the Old Testament reading as well - focused on the love and joy that God has for all of us. What a beautiful word. What a beautiful sentiment.
Christmas may proclaim “Joy to the World!” but Easter promises it’s delivery! Here, John recounts Jesus telling his disciples, after having risen from death to fulfill the promise of the resurrection, to “Remain in my Love”. Brief but extremely powerful, Jesus simply asks that we keep God’s commandments and remain in his love. This encounter and the words spoken take me back to more than 40 years ago when I said goodbye to my grandmother, who had modeled God’s love for me and who, before her death, reminded me she would always be with me. In her way, she was telling me to cherish our bond and remain in her love; to have joy for what we had shared. And I do.
Can you take a moment to visualize the Christ of your heart? How powerful and joyful it is to put ourselves among the disciples, to see and feel him telling us that his joy is complete because of us! Telling us that he loves us as God loves him. And then asking - in fact, commanding - us to remain in his love. I want to! I’m smiling in peace, love and joy, and my heart is full at the vision of being so beloved. I pray the same for you, also. 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.
