Reflections

If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, to be with you forever. John 14:15-16

Jesus breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit”. John 20:22

For prayer and reflection…as we move through the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity

Flame dancing Spirit,

Come Sweep us off our feet and Dance us through our days.

Surprise us with your rhythms; dare us try new steps, explore new patterns and new partnerships.

Release us from old routines to swing in abandoned joy and fearful adventure.

And in the intervals, rest us in Your Still Centre.   Amen.

Esther de Waal ‘Lost in Wonder - rediscovering the spiritual art of attentiveness’

Gospel
…so that the world may know that you have sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.  John 17:23b

My mind was lifted up to heaven and I saw our Lord as a lord in his own house where he had called his much-loved friends and servants to a banquet. I saw that the Lord did not sit in one place but ranged throughout the house, filling it with joy and gladness.

Completely relaxed and courteous, he was himself the happiness and peace of his dear friends, his beautiful face radiating measureless love like a marvellous symphony; and it was that wonderful face shining with the beauty of God that filled that heavenly place with joy and light.

If I look at myself I am nothing. But if I look at us all I am hopeful; for I see the unity of love among my fellow - Christians. In this love lies our salvation. Julian of Norwich, Revelations of Divine Love 14th Century

Gospel
Peace 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.  John 14:27

For prayer and reflection…for ourselves - and for our own denomination…
So just let God act, and be at peace. As far as you are in God, you are in peace; and as far as you are outside God, you are outside peace. Lack of peace comes from created things and not from God. Nor is there anything to fear in God, and nothing in him to cause sadness; his being can draw only love from us. It is true; they, who have all they wish for, know joy; but no one has this except those whose will is one with God’s will. May God grant us this union!  Meister Eckhart

Our Scriptures
I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another.  By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”   John 13:34-35

For prayer and reflection…for ourselves - and for our own denomination…
An hour of prayer - If the heart wanders or is distracted, bring it back to the point quite gently and replace it tenderly in the Master's presence. And even if you did nothing during the whole of your hour but bring your heart back and place it in our Lord's presence, though it went away every time you brought it back, your hour will be very well employed.  St Francis de Sales