Presence

Lord, help me to be fully alive to Your holy presence. Enfold me in Your love. Let my heart become one with Yours.

Freedom

Lord, You created me to live in freedom.
Mostly I take this gift for granted.
Inspire me to live in the freedom You intended,
with a heart untroubled and with complete trust in You.

Consciousness

I ask how I am within myself today.
Am I particularly tired, stressed, or off-form?
If any of these characteristics apply,
can I try to let go of the concerns that disturb me?

The Word of God

⁵But now I am going to him who sent me, yet none of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’ ⁶But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your hearts. ⁷Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Advocate will not come to you, but if I go, I will send him to you. ⁸And when he comes, he will prove the world wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment: ⁹about sin, because they do not believe in me; ¹⁰about righteousness, because I am going to the Father, and you will see me no longer; ¹¹about judgment, because the ruler of this world has been condemned.

Inspiration

Jesus told his disciples that it was to their advantage that he went away, for if he did not, the Holy Spirit would not be sent to them. As the departure of friends is always hard to endure, that must have been difficult for the early Christians to hear, and even more difficult for them to appreciate. We, too, may be helped by remembering that Jesus is always with us, even if it is in a new way, and that his continuing presence will hold us afloat. 

Conversation

Lord, help me to connect with You. I don’t always know how, but I want to receive Your love and I open my hands and my heart to You. Please come to me today.

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