Hi everyone,
Have you ever noticed how much and how quickly things change?
I mean, there are the obvious changes around both my hair and waist lines, but the changes in landscape, in our community, and even in my kids is staggering. But that makes sense, I suppose, as nothing lasts forever.
Still… we wish they did. I sometimes think about what our kids were like when they were really little, and I long for that again. But that doesn’t mean that they’re no-good now. We will always have the memories and can look forward to making new ones. It’s just that… no matter what happens, no matter what the future brings, no matter how much change we face, they will always be our kids. I will always be their dad. We might have disagreements (in fact, I’m counting on it if they grow up to be anything like me), but our bond will never be broken.
I would even say that not even death could change that.
Here are the readings for next week:
Acts 7:55-60
Psalm 31:1-5, 15-16
1 Peter 2:2-10
John 14:1-14
And a video of them being read:
This gospel reading is from the “Farewell Discourse” that Jesus gives his disciples as he prepares them for what is to come. They don’t seem to understand of course, as they have grown quite comfortable with where they are… what, with Jesus teaching and guiding them, their community growing and flourishing, and finally hope is so clearly in their grasp. They last thing they would have thought was that things were about to change.
And so in hindsight, we look at how Jesus was preparing them. We see his reassurance with a different light. We see how he reminds them that even in the midst of change, his love for them will not. Their welcome into the presence and community of God will not change. Their identity as God’s people will remain always.
That serves as a reminder to us as well, that no matter what we go through, no matter what life throws at us, no matter what kinds of changes occur, that we are and always will be dearly beloved children of God.
So change comes and goes, that is unavoidable. But through it all, God remains the same. Who we are remains true. The love that we all share remains steadfast.
Thanks be to God! Have a great week, everyone!
