Time moves on – it is now May, what? and while reluctantly or by need or force schedules are established and maybe even a routine of sorts taken hold. I said, maybe.
So I was thinking, a dangerous occupation thinking, about what I miss from BC [before corona].
This week I miss the children’s question! I know we added a question to our weekly zoom worship liturgies, but I miss the whole ritual around the children’s question. I miss the line in front of the stained-glass windows, especially the window of Jesus welcoming the children, I miss seeing the faces of those in that line and feeling challenged, I miss looking to my colleagues for support or counsel, I miss laughter and heads nodding.
And while I’m on this nostalgic bent -- I remember my first children’s question. I didn’t really even answer the question, which was: is the water in the font special water?. The answer was, and is, like so many churchy answers, both yes and no. Instead, I gave a dissertation on the waters of baptism. Sigh.
Anyway…
This week’s Gospel propelled me to think of the children’s question because Jesus says anything you ask in my name I will grant! Here’s a short list; end disease, poverty and racism, change the minds of those who make policy about immigration and climate and the environment
and then there is a long list of things I think I have asked in the name of Jesus that have not been fulfilled!
What would you ask Jesus?
You might take this Gospel as an encouragement to ask some questions. Maybe ask kids in your life for their questions, what would they, what would you ask Jesus? Really! Jesus says whatever you ask in my name will be granted.
What!!! Wait!!! I’m already thinking I must be doing something wrong, because my asks are not being granted!
Well, I can see how that would be a logical next step but that’s doesn’t make any sense, that is not consistent with who we understand Jesus to be. It is not how we understand God's abundant unconditional love to all Gods’ people. So we have to take a step away, a step back to see what we do know …
We have been given the power. Well beloved … we have the same creative power of God – I’m not even kidding. Right in Genesis, we have the power to recreate, to name, and later to bless. So this power of humanity is not necessarily new to the disciples of Christ. It’s been part of God’s intention from the start. I promise. Yes, life gets in the way and challenges us to forget that. I can’t explain why it feels as if some of our requests, some of our prayers, some of our questions are answered and why some are not. I can’t. But hearing again that we, you and I together, have this God given ability to do greater things is encouraging and I pray helps us encourage each. Continue to ask God for things in the name of Jesus. Please.
Jesus' relation to the Creator of the universe is established for us in this text. Our following Jesus, our trusting in the promises and hope of the resurrection, and our living as if we have the same connection to the Creator of the universe, as Christ is also established.
I also hear the longing of the disciples for that which is no more. Maybe you can hear that also. They long for the Jesus who walked and talked and ate and taught with them daily. Hard to get used to a new way of life, a new routine, a different way of being in the world. I hear that. It may be enough this week to know Jesus still walks and talks with us in the lives of each other. I believe that!
This is a devotion of longing for each of you and for ways to connect. No virus can stop our connection to God and God’s desire for us to act boldly in the name of Christ. And as our Psalm reminds us …
15 My times are in your hand; *
rescue me from the hand of my enemies,
and from those who persecute me.
16 Make your face to shine upon your servant, *
and in your loving-kindness save me."
Rev. Alison +
