Departures and Arrivals

~~~ Acts of the Apostles 20:28-38 ~~~ Psalm 68 ~~~ 

~~~ John 17:11B-19 ~~~

They do not belong to the world
any more than I belong to the world.

We are reminded again in today's readings...
we do not belong to the world.
The world has no claim on us, however
we freely and gladly give ourselves to the world.

Do not believe that the world is all
that matters.

If we do not belong to the world
why does the world matter so much?
After creation God gave the world to us.
God created the world for our use.
Along with this gift comes the responsibility
we have to care for this world.
If we are to care for the world it does not
follow that we belong to the world.
The world was given to us to make our life on Earth easier.
God would not have placed us here with nothing.
He wanted us to have the means to sustain the life
 he intently breathed into our nostrils.

Consecrate them in the truth. 
Your word is truth.

Jesus not only lived and died for us...
he also prayed for us.

Today we hear that he consecrated us in truth.

Jesus was preparing us for his departure.
We have these readings as concrete evidence.
 God never meant for us to be left alone.

The promise of the arrival of the Holy Spirit
 keeps us from being too sad by the departure of Jesus.

We have had the experience of loved ones leaving us in death.
We hurriedly gather as many pictures as we can;
they serve as a way of keeping our loved one close.

Jesus consecrated us to the Father in truth.
This truth is the word of God.
The word that was made flesh.
The word that took his place among us.

Jesus departed from his family and disciples.
Jesus departed from this world.
We eagerly await the arrival of the Holy Spirit.

Blessings within
departures and arrivals.

~~~ Peace ~~~