Rev. Dr. Lil Smith on John 17:1-11

Certainly Uncertain

Jesus taught them, the disciples, to be one.
Yet, Jesus knew that in uncertain times, it would take a deeper faith to know how to be one.
We are in uncertain times. They were in uncertain times. We are in places of unknowing. They were in places of unknowing.

So, what do they have to teach us in our time?
We are called to be one.

Before COVID-19 and this time of pandemic, the United States was in one of the most divided times our country has seen in while. Perhaps as an adult, more truthfully, it is the most divided I have experienced our country. Divided on racial lines. Divided on class lines. Divided on wealth lines. Divided on worth lines. Divided on _____ (I invite you fill in the blank.)

Just a few months ago, we were living in a time where certainty was leading us. For example, I am certain I am not making the salary I deserve. I am certain I am not racist. I am certain my suggestions to improve the quality of life will are right. What had certainty for you? What was certainty for you that is now uncertain?

Remembering the Gospel of John was written so that we will believe, I wonder, “What is it that we believe?” And more importantly, “What is it that we should be believing?” And, “How do we believe in the midst of uncertainty?”

In our gospel text this week, John 17, Jesus is teaching the disciples how to believe when they will no longer see Jesus and be in his physical presence. Jesus reminds them to believe, as I taught you, that the Father and I are one. Just as I have taught you to be one.

And, Jesus invites his Father to glorify him reminding us that Jesus was faithful to the Father as the Father was faithful to Jesus. As Jesus and the Father are one. So we are to be one. This is what Jesus wants us to know. God is faithful, especially in uncertain times.

So, how have we become one during this pandemic? Have you sheltered-in-place for your neighbor? Have you given blood for a stranger? Have you become a teacher for your children?

My hope for you is that you will not focus on the hardship of not seeing what we do not yet know. Trust that God is at work in the midst of the pandemic. Believe that we will understand the gift as God reveals it to us. Until then, how is Jesus teaching us, once again, to be one? While it is certainly uncertain times, I am certain God is in the midst of it all.
Thanks be to God!
AMEN

Listen to Rev. Dr. Lil Smith's Guided Meditation for Praying the Lectionary for John 17:1-11 here.

Invitation 

As you experience the practice of praying the lectionary, adopt a loving, caring and compassionate stance. If the end of your prayer and meditation time is not pointing to love and hope, there is more work to do. Keep wrestling. God is faithful to your journey. Love and hope will emerge. Be gentle with yourself and befriend any judgment that arises in you. 

- Rev. Dr. Lil Smith is a trained spiritual director, supervisor, and co-founder of Retreat House. Upon completion of her spiritual direction training, Lil began Praying the Lectionary in 2011 as a spiritual practice for her morning prayer time. Instead of reading about someone else’s experience of God, it was important for her to create a prayer practice that would encourage felt sense experience of the Holy emerging from within.

This excerpt was taken from a weekly meditation deployed to Retreat House subscribers via email every Sunday morning. To add your name to this list and receive weekly meditations, please email us.