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Righteous Father, the world does not know you, but I know you; and these know that you have sent me. I made your name known to them, and I will make it known, so that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them John (17:25-26).
Jesus farewell address was written to the disciples, to first century apostles, and to us. John’s Gospel was written in a past, present and future context. The farewell discourse began in the upper room with the washing of the disciple’s feet, continued with instructions on how to live with God’s peace in a world filled with tribulation, and ends in today’s Gospel while he is walking towards the place where he will be arrested. In his last words to the disciples Jesus prays for all believers. He prays that we will be in relationship with him as he is in relationship with the Father. The words are written so that those who know Christ will be secure enough to make him known in a very broken and even hostile world. To know Christ and make him known is to be in relationship with Christ and to bring others to that place where our heart is filled with peace. Last week I said God’s love for us is so great that it is impossible for us to imagine it. Yet, it is the love of God that gave his only Son to die for our sins that we might be made whole. God’s plan is that we would be restored to fulfillment of life. Jesus asks God for safety for his disciples so that they might be unified in the Father’s name. This unity in God is a community which practices radical hospitality in loving one another. Jesus crossed boundaries that the religious establishment set to keep them in power. Patriarchal and hierarchal systems tend to do that. The love of Christ is unconditional because God will always love us. The Word of God is powerful because it has the ability to turn the world upside down. While greed, racism, sexism and homophobic behavior tend to keep one class in power, Jesus turns these tables upside down. God created each and every one of us and loves us dearly. God sends the Holy Spirit to help us fight the tendency to put ourselves ahead of others. Our hearts burn with a passion for God’s Reign of justice and equality when we follow the path of Jesus’ love.
I have three sermons left at St. John’s on June 1st, 15th, and 29th. Last week I preached the peace of God which passes all understanding. This week, I will preach about developing a deeper relationship with God. Next week is Youth Sunday. We will recognize our Confirmation Class, First Communion Class, and Sunday School. Please join us.
I hope you can join us on June 8th for the Gay Pride Parade and the Long Island Gay Men’s Chorus Concert at St. John’s. We will be walking through Huntington with a banner of unity and love. There is nothing political or un-Christian about loving all your brothers and sisters in this community.
In Christ’s love,
Fr. Duncan
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