Absolute Love in Perfect Self-Expression
- davidwperk
- Feb 15, 2024
- 5 min read
Devotional Reflection, Thursday, February 15, 2024
The second day of Lent
The Rev. David W. Perkins, Th.D.
Key phrases for reflection from today’s reading:
17:1After Jesus had spoken these words, he looked up to heaven and said, ‘Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son so that the Son may glorify you, 2since you have given him authority over all people, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him. . . . .6 ’I have made your name known to those whom you gave me from the world. They were yours, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word.
You will find the full text of today’s Gospel at the end of this reflection.
Daily Office Lectionary Readings (BCP, 951)
AM Psalm 37:1-18; PM Psalm 37:19-42
Hab. 3:1-10(11-15)16-18; Phil. 3:12-21; John 17:1-8
Today we celebrate the Feast of Thomas Bray. (See below.)
David’s Reflections
John’s Gospel contains a sublime prayer attributed to Jesus, set just before his betrayal and arrest. In today’s Gospel, we read the opening verses of that prayer. Jesus prays as if he already had completed his sufferings, as verse 4 indicates: “I have glorified you on earth by finishing the work that you gave me to do.” On the cross, in John’s account, Jesus’ last words are “It is finished.” Jesus prays if already ascended.
John’s Jesus throughout this prayer mentions God’s glory. He asks God to glorify the Son’s name, and he says that he has glorified God’s through his obedient life and sacrifice. The most poignant definition of glory I know comes from former Archbishop of Canterbury, William Temple, ". . . absolute love in perfect self-expression." *
We can nod in agreement with Temple; what a way to envision Jesus’ life, “absolute love in perfect self expression.” That would be especially true of his death. And, that death, so horrific and so innocent and so self giving reveals the nature of the God who sent Jesus. Again, that nature, according to Temple, is “absolute love in perfect self-expression.” Hence, John’s Gospel can speak of Jesus’ death as glorification—his death makes known the essential nature of the God who sent him and embodies the divine suffering that achieves our forgiveness.
The Jesus of John prayed for his followers. He knew that his arrest and suffering would put their faith at risk. In Luke 22:31, Jesus expresses a similar concern on the night of his betrayal. “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked for all of you (plural) that he might sift you (plural) like wheat. But, I have prayed for you (singular) that your faith not fail. And, when you are restored, strengthen your brothers.” Jesus knew they would buckle under the stress of his betrayal but also that such failure would not be the last word.
What a comfort to know that Jesus prays for us in similar fashion. The church bears that responsibility of glorifying God’s name, revealing God’s nature, in the world of our day. For those without faith to know that God’s nature is “absolute love in perfect self-expression” that love must find expression through the community of believers. Above all else, let that be our intent, to have God’s love expressing and making itself known through us.
We can take heart. Jesus prays for us today. And, our failures in mission will not be the last word. God’s love finds myriad ways to express itself.
* Readings in St. John's Gospel (First and Second Series) (London: MacMillan, 1947), p. 328
Collect of the Day, The Last Sunday after the Epiphany
O God, who before the passion of your only-begotten Son revealed his glory upon the holy mountain: Grant to us that we, beholding by faith the light of his countenance, may be strengthened to bear our cross, and be changed into his likeness from glory to glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (BCP, 217)
Today we celebrate the Feast of Thomas Bray, priest and missionary (died 15 May 1730 CE).
Collect of the Feast of Thomas Bray
O God of compassion, who opened the heart of your servant Thomas Bray to the needs of the church in the New World: Make your church diligent at all times to propagate the Gospel, and to promote the spread of Christian knowledge; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
A Collect for Protection
O God, the life of all who live, the light of the faithful, the strength of those who labor, and the repose of the dead: We thank you for the blessings of the day that is past, and humbly ask for your protection through the coming night. Bring us in safety to the morning hours; through him who died and rose again for us, your Son our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen. (BCP, 124)
Thanksgiving For the Beauty of the Earth
We give you thanks, most gracious God, for the beauty of earth and sky and sea; for the richness of mountains, plains, and rivers; for the songs of birds and the loveliness of flowers. We praise you for these good gifts, and pray that we may safeguard them for our posterity. Grant that we may continue to grow in our grateful enjoyment of your abundant creation, to the honor and glory of your Name, now and for ever. Amen. (BCP, 840)
A Collect for the Presence of Christ
Lord Jesus, stay with us, for evening is at hand and the day is past; be our companion in the way, kindle our hearts, and awaken hope, that we may know you as you are revealed in Scripture and the breaking of bread. Grant this for the sake of your love. Amen. (BCP, 124)
A Collect for Mission
Merciful God, creator of all the peoples of the earth and lover of souls: Have compassion on all who do not know you as you are revealed in your Son Jesus Christ; let your Gospel be preached with grace and power to those who have not heard it; turn the hearts of those who resist it; and bring home to your fold those who have gone astray; that there may be one flock under one shepherd, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (BCP, 280)
Daily Office Gospel, John 17:1-8
17:1After Jesus had spoken these words, he looked up to heaven and said, ‘Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son so that the Son may glorify you, 2since you have given him authority over all people, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him. 3And this is eternal life, that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. 4I glorified you on earth by finishing the work that you gave me to do. 5So now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had in your presence before the world existed.
6 ’I have made your name known to those whom you gave me from the world. They were yours, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. 7Now they know that everything you have given me is from you; 8for the words that you gave to me I have given to them, and they have received them and know in truth that I came from you; and they have believed that you sent me.
Daily Offices in The Book of Common Prayer
Morning Prayer, Rite 2, page 75, The Book of Common Prayer
Noonday Prayer, page 103, Book of Common Prayer
Order of Worship for Evening (Vespers), p 109, Book of Common Prayer
Evening Prayer, Rite 2, page 115, Book of Common Prayer
Compline (Night Prayer), page 127, Book of Common Prayer
Daily Devotionals, page 136, Book of Common Prayer
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