Presence

“Be still and know that I am God.” (Psalm 46:10). Lord, Your words lead us to the calmness and greatness of Your presence.

Freedom

Lord, You granted me the great gift of freedom.
In these times, O Lord, grant that I may be free
from any form of racism or intolerance.
Remind me, Lord, that we are all equal
in Your loving eyes.

Consciousness

God, in Your loving presence I unwind the past day,
starting from now and looking back, moment by moment.
I gather in all the goodness and light, in gratitude.
I attend to the shadows and what they say to me,
seeking Your healing, insight, and forgiveness.

The Word of God

²⁰Peter turned and saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following them; he was the one who had reclined next to Jesus at the supper and had said, “Lord, who is it that is going to betray you?” ²¹When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, “Lord, what about him?” ²²Jesus said to him, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? Follow me!” ²³So the rumor spread among the brothers and sisters that this disciple would not die. Yet Jesus did not say to him that he would not die, but, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you?”

²⁴This is the disciple who is testifying to these things and has written them, and we know that his testimony is true. ²⁵But there are also many other things that Jesus did; if every one of them were written down, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written.

Inspiration

‘The disciple whom Jesus loved’.  What a description of anyone!  Have I ever thought of myself as ‘the one Jesus loved’ or had an experience I can recall when I considered myself especially loved by Jesus? 

Each bible has a blank page at the end. This is for each of us to write our own gospel! We can note the incidents, relationships, bad times, and good times in our lives where Jesus was close and active, saving us, calling us, and challenging us into discipleship. Can you note where and when your life with Jesus began? Like John, we don’t know where it will end. Where is Jesus now writing his gospel in your life so that others will know his love, his call, and his identity? Some good pointers for prayer!

Conversation

Conversation requires talking and listening.
As I talk to Jesus may I also learn to be still and listen.
I picture the gentleness in His eyes
and the smile full of love as He gazes on me.
I can be totally honest with Jesus as I tell Him of my worries and my cares.
I will open up my heart to Him as I tell Him of my fears and my doubts.
I will ask Him to help me to place myself fully in His care,
to abandon myself to Him,
knowing that He always wants what is best for me.

Conclusion

I thank God for these few moments we have spent alone together and for any insights I may have been given concerning the text.

Amen