Between time (3 May)

This week’s gospel (from John Chapter 14) links closely with last week’s theme of Jesus as the gate. We are called to follow him and to hold fast to his promise that he came to show us the path to abundant life. My prayer and reflection have taken me to the theme of Liminality. We live in ‘between time’, with the life of Jesus at one polarity and the end of time the other. Our dwelling place throws up particular tensions, and I develop that theme in my sermon as I examine some hallmarks of the Christian life.

Last week I attended a day of training Equipping Priests In Charge or EPIC. The day was focused on the theme of models for decision making. It was both interesting and informative. We were asked to review our Easter and to share signs of God’s grace over Easter services. I was encouraged to hear what God is doing in his church. One priest from an Evangelical church told us that he had visited a 96-year-old parishioner who reported while that Evangelical worship was not what she was used to, she was embracing the joy and enthusiasm she was experiencing in services with her new pastor.

This anecdote gave me cause for hope. From last week’s gospel you know that Jesus walks ahead of us calling our name. How will we respond?

Grace and Peace,
Linda