Today’s gospel readings and last Sunday’s readings from John 15 & 16 have so much in common. In reading the gospels together they seem to repeat themselves in many ways all revolving around the Trinity, the name of Jesus and obeying God’s commandments and of course joy.
“On that day you will not question me about anything. Amen, amen, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in my name he will give you. Until now you have not asked anything in my name; ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be complete.”
I ride the bus three days per week. It can be a frustrating, joyful, and sometimes strange experience. I love the time tables and schedules. The rational for riding bus is that it gives me extra exercise which I need and my wife, Anna, and I do not have to purchase and maintain a second car. The people who ride the bus come from many walks of live and age groups. They ride for many reason but mostly economic. Most riders are focused on their cell phone, but there are some that are people watchers like me. However, they do operate as a community and work together when needed. They will openly give directions and advice and help each other.
Here are two brief stories. I connect buses and recently one day my first bus was late and the next bus was early. The driver from that bus saw me crossing the street and waited at my transfer point and I made the connection that day. On Tuesday of this week, I was getting off my last bus and headed home. There was a woman running to catch the bus from the other direction that I had just exited. I yelled to the driver to wait and she made her bus. Drivers and passengers working together to help each other and in the two stories above there was joy.
John 16:26-27 “On that day you will ask in my name, and I do not tell you that I will ask the Father for you. For the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me and have come to believe that I came from God.”
There is love and joy in the Trinity, the name of Jesus and obeying God’s commandments. The harmony that God desires for His creations seem to revolve around our union. Yes, sometimes we miss our bus, we use Jesus’s name in vain, and we don’t obey His commandments.
What happens next ?………. No Joy!
My wife and I have prayed that our children and they sometimes do not listen to our spiritual direction. However, my daughter who has not been to church in 20 years except on rare occasions, just recently went back to church and brought my granddaughter. This all happened in God’s time. She found the joy that my wife and I prayed she would.
Now the Trinity is a mystery, but joy is not. When we as a family, a community and a people of faith work together to do the right thing we find joy. We are joined together in the Trinity because of the sacrifice of Jesus.
Holy is His name!
God’s plan for us is so simple, but sometimes we complicate things. Don’t miss the bus and keep asking and praying.
God Bless
Bob Burford
Readings : Acts 18:23-28; Psalm 47: 2-3,8-9,10; John 16:23B-28
Prayer: Tomorrow is Mother’s Day in the United States. Praying for all mothers everywhere in the world.
