Hosting Jesus Hospitably
- davidwperk
- Apr 9, 2024
- 6 min read
Devotional Reflection, Tuesday, April 8, 2024
The Second week of Easter
The Rev. David W. Perkins, Th.D.
Key phrases for reflection from today’s reading:
18 ’I will not leave you orphaned; I am coming to you. 19In a little while the world will no longer see me, but you will see me; because I live, you also will live. 20On that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you. 21They who have my commandments and keep them are those who love me; and those who love me will be loved by my Father, and I will love them and reveal myself to them.’ . . . . 23Jesus answered him, ‘Those who love me will keep my word, and my Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them.
You will find the full text of today’s Gospel reading at the end of this reflection.
Daily Office Lectionary Readings (BCP, 959)
Psalms AM 5, 6 PM 10, 11
Exod. 15:1-21 1 Pet. 1:13-25 John 14:18-31
Today we celebrate the Feast of Dietrich Bonhöffer. (See below.)
David’s Reflections
Jesus’ homeland of Palestine felt the impact of Jesus’ coming, his teaching, his healings, the force of his personal presence. They and the world would never be the same as a result. One person, born in an obscure corner of the world and never leaving the region of modern Israel/Lebanon, impacted those around him so profoundly that a new religious movement sprang from him, a movement that within four centuries went from being a persecuted minority to the official religion of the Roman Empire. All this emerged from a public life of two-three years that left behind a few hundred followers.
How easy, because we are so familiar with the story of Jesus, to lose sight of the revolutionary and transforming impact of his personal presence. Today’s Gospel tells us that the Holy Spirit brings the presence of Jesus himself into our lives. To say that feels so casual. Has the language become that tired and plain? How can I maintain my composure and sit still at a keyboard while reading the words, “We (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) will come to them and make our home with them” (John 14:23)? My life in essence becomes a miniature Holy Land.
Envision your inner being as a house with a spacious attic and a large basement. You obviously can be present in only one place at a time, and there are nooks and crannies inaccessible or very difficult to access. Some areas need remodeling and repair.
Would there be any room into which you would not allow a beloved, close friend to go? I once assisted a long-term and dear friend in moving from a home in Atlanta she had occupied for twenty years. I arrived two days early for a speaking engagement for a single adult event at Christ Episcopal Church in Greenville, SC, and assisted her in emptying the attic and cellar. At one point, we both were in the attic dealing with odds and ends collected and stored over those twenty years, and she said, “You are the only human being on the planet that I would allow in my attic.” I felt so honored to be trusted like that.
In the house of my inner being, I can welcome the presence of Christ’s Spirit. I can ask Jesus to feel free to be at home anywhere within. I can give Christ the freedom to move furniture, to make repairs, to dispose of excess stuff I have accumulated, to help me let go of treasured items or aspects of my being that might not be appropriate to retain.
Henri Nouwen put it so well. "God has given you a beautiful self. There God dwells and loves you with the first love, which precedes all human love."+
“Dear Jesus. Thank you for making your home in my life. Help me to celebrate and honor your presence here. Let that awareness kindle hope and enthusiasm. Forgive me for those moments when hospitality is lacking, when I ignore or forget you, when I do not welcome you. Please go anywhere and everywhere within me. Rearrange, repair, eliminate. But, most of all, please know how welcome you are and how thankful I am that you love me and desire to be with me.”
+Henri Nouwen, The Inner Voice of Love: A Journey Through Anguish to Freedom (New York: Doubleday, 1996), p. 29.
Collect of the Day, Second Sunday of Easter
Almighty and everlasting God, who in the Paschal mystery established the new covenant of reconciliation: Grant that all who have been reborn into the fellowship of Christ’s Body may show forth in their lives what they profess by their faith; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (BCP, 224)
Today we celebrate the Feast of Dietrich Bonhöffer, pastor, theologian, and martyr
(died 9 April 1945 CE).
Collect of the Feast of Dietrich Bonhöffer
Embolden our lives, O Lord, and inspire our faiths, that we, following the example of your servant Dietrich Bonhoeffer, might embrace your call with undivided hearts; through Jesus Christ our Savior, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
A Collect for Peace
Most holy God, the source of all good desires, all right judgments, and all just works: Give to us, your servants, that peace which the world cannot give, so that our minds may be fixed on the doing of your will, and that we, being delivered from the fear of all enemies, may live in peace and quietness; through the mercies of Christ Jesus our Savior. Amen. (BCP, 123)
All the Good I Can
Dear God, guide me to
Do all the good I can
By all means I can
In all ways I can
In all places I can
To all people I can
As long as I can.
Bill Pittman and Lisa D., The 12 Step Prayer Book Volume 2: More Twelve Step Prayers and Inspirational Readings Prayers (Center City, MN: Hazelden, 2007.)
A Prayer for Light
Grant us, Lord, the lamp of charity which never fails, that it may burn in us and shed its light on those around us, and that by its brightness we may have a vision of that holy City, where dwells the true and never-failing Light, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (BCP, 110)
A Collect for Mission
Almighty and everlasting God, by whose Spirit the whole body of your faithful people is governed and sanctified: Receive our supplications and prayers which we offer before you for all members of your holy Church, that in their vocation and ministry they may truly and devoutly serve you; through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen. (BCP, 100)
Daily Office Gospel, John 14:18-31
18 ’I will not leave you orphaned; I am coming to you. 19In a little while the world will no longer see me, but you will see me; because I live, you also will live. 20On that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you. 21They who have my commandments and keep them are those who love me; and those who love me will be loved by my Father, and I will love them and reveal myself to them.’ 22Judas (not Iscariot) said to him, ‘Lord, how is it that you will reveal yourself to us, and not to the world?’ 23Jesus answered him, ‘Those who love me will keep my word, and my Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. 24Whoever does not love me does not keep my words; and the word that you hear is not mine, but is from the Father who sent me.
25 ’I have said these things to you while I am still with you. 26But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything, and remind you of all that I have said to you. 27Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.
28 You heard me say to you, “I am going away, and I am coming to you.” If you loved me, you would rejoice that I am going to the Father, because the Father is greater than I. 29And now I have told you this before it occurs, so that when it does occur, you may believe. 30I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming. He has no power over me; 31but I do as the Father has commanded me, so that the world may know that I love the Father. Rise, let us be on our way.
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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