Saturday of the Fifth Week of Easter

+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!

Opening Prayer

Lord God; it is good to live in the friendship of your Son Jesus Christ. Remind me again that as his friend I am committed to him and share life with him – for better and for worse, in misunderstanding and contradiction, as well as in joy and intimacy. Help me to rejoice even when treated with indifference or ridicule on account of him, for it means that he is still with me who is my Lord for ever.

Reading: John 15:18-21 (NLT)

“If the world hates you, remember that it hated me first. The world would love you as one of its own if you belonged to it, but you are no longer part of the world. I chose you to come out of the world, so it hates you. Do you remember what I told you? ‘A slave is not greater than the master.’ Since they persecuted me, naturally they will persecute you. And if they had listened to me, they would listen to you. They will do all this to you because of me, for they have rejected the one who sent me.”
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Reflection & Prayer: John 15:18-21 (NLT)

vs 18 – “If the world hates you, remember that it hated me first.

Lord Jesus: You lived and radiated the love of God in a world driven by money, sex, and power. Your very presence precipitated a violent response from the entrenched forces of darkness. You brought real love into the world, and the world responded with hatred. Why should I expect less?

vs 19 – “The world would love you as one of its own if you belonged to it, but you are no longer part of the world. I chose you to come out of the world, so it hates you.

Lord Jesus: You chose me to live a separated life – in the world, but not of the world. I confess that the distinction has often been blurred for me. But, the older I get, the more I realize – this earth is not my home. Every day I feel more like an alien in a strange land.

vs 20 – “Do you remember what I told you? ‘A slave is not greater than the master.’ Since they persecuted me, naturally they will persecute you. And if they had listened to me, they would listen to you.

Lord Jesus: Give me ears to hear and a willing spirit to respond to your leading in my life. Make me a servant after your example that I may love others as you have loved me – regardless of how they respond.

vs 21 – “They will do all this to you because of me, for they have rejected the one who sent me.

Lord Jesus: I confess that I’m afraid to take up my cross and follow you. The principalities and powers of this world killed you in three years after you revealed yourself as the Messiah, the Son of the living God. It’s true that you had the last word as the risen Christ; but I’m afraid of Good Friday.

Remind me again that nothing can separate me from your love and, come what may, you will never leave me or forsake me. Come Holy Spirit and fill my life with your presence and power that I may love and serve my Master to the glory of the Father.
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“Not of this world” – Petra

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Concluding Prayer – Psalm 100:5 (NLT)

The Lord is good. His unfailing love continues forever, and his faithfulness continues to each generation.
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+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!