Tag: I am in the Father and the Father is in me

Saturday of The 4th Week of Easter, 09 May 2020 – John 14:7-14, Acts 13:44-52, Psalm 98 ~ I am in the Father and the Father is in me

Saturday of The 4th Week of Easter, 09 May 2020

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

Opening:

Almighty God, Giver of abundant and everlasting Life: Grant us so perfectly to know your Son Jesus Christ to be the way, the truth, and the life, that we may steadfastly follow his steps in the way that leads to eternal glory; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

“You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings.
And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

A Reading from the Gospels: John 14:7-14 (NLT)

If you had really known me, you would know who my Father is. From now on, you do know him and have seen him!”

Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied.”

Jesus replied, “Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and yet you still don’t know who I am? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father! So why are you asking me to show him to you? Don’t you believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words I speak are not my own, but my Father who lives in me does his work through me. Just believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me. Or at least believe because of the work you have seen me do.

“I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father. You can ask for anything in my name, and I will do it, so that the Son can bring glory to the Father. Yes, ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it!

A Reading from the Book of Acts: Acts 13:44-52 (NLT)

Paul Turns to the Gentiles

The following week almost the entire city turned out to hear them preach the word of the Lord. But when some of the Jews saw the crowds, they were jealous; so they slandered Paul and argued against whatever he said.

Then Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly and declared, “It was necessary that we first preach the word of God to you Jews. But since you have rejected it and judged yourselves unworthy of eternal life, we will offer it to the Gentiles. For the Lord gave us this command when he said,

‘I have made you a light to the Gentiles,
to bring salvation to the farthest corners of the earth.’”

When the Gentiles heard this, they were very glad and thanked the Lord for his message; and all who were chosen for eternal life became believers. So the Lord’s message spread throughout that region.

Then the Jews stirred up the influential religious women and the leaders of the city, and they incited a mob against Paul and Barnabas and ran them out of town. So they shook the dust from their feet as a sign of rejection and went to the town of Iconium. And the believers were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.
__________

Responsorial Psalm 98:1-4

+ Sing a new song to the Lord,
for he has done wonderful deeds.

His right hand has won a mighty victory;
his holy arm has shown his saving power!

+ Sing a new song to the Lord,
for he has done wonderful deeds.

The Lord has announced his victory
and has revealed his righteousness to every nation!

+ Sing a new song to the Lord,
for he has done wonderful deeds.

He has remembered his promise to love and be faithful to Israel.
The ends of the earth have seen the victory of our God.

+ Sing a new song to the Lord,
for he has done wonderful deeds.

Shout to the Lord, all the earth;
break out in praise and sing for joy!
__________

Psalm 98 (Sing Unto the Lord) – Shane and Shane

__________

Closing: John 8:31-32 (NLT)

“You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings.
And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

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

Monday Morning: 18 Feb 2019 – John 14:1-14 ~ Only one way!

Monday Morning

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

Opening (Collect for Purity)

Almighty God: to you all hearts are open, all desires known, and from you no secrets are hid; cleanse the thoughts of my heart through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, that I may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy name, through Christ my Lord. Amen.
__________

Morning Reading – John 14:1-14 (NLT)

Jesus, the Way to the Father

“Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am. And you know the way to where I am going.”

“No, we don’t know, Lord,” Thomas said. “We have no idea where you are going, so how can we know the way?”

Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me. If you had really known me, you would know who my Father is. From now on, you do know him and have seen him!”

Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied.”

Jesus replied, “Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and yet you still don’t know who I am? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father! So why are you asking me to show him to you? Don’t you believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words I speak are not my own, but my Father who lives in me does his work through me. Just believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me. Or at least believe because of the work you have seen me do.

“I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father. You can ask for anything in my name, and I will do it, so that the Son can bring glory to the Father. Yes, ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it!
__________

Morning Reflection:

The disciples are troubled because Jesus has just told them that he would soon be leaving them. Where was he going? Why couldn’t they go with him? What would they do without him? And Jesus responds –

“Trust in God, and trust also in me.” – John 14:1b

And then Jesus adds –

“I am the way, the truth, and the life.
No one can come to the Father except through me.” – John 14:6

In tomorrow’s reading, Jesus promises to send his Spirit to be with us while we await his return. But let’s look at how Jesus’ “I am…” declarations speak to us today.

+ Jesus is the “Lamb of God,” the only Way into the presence of God.
+ Jesus is “God with us,” the personification of the Truth of God.
+ Jesus is the “Word of God,” the giver of Life with God, now and forever.

Questions for your consideration:

  • How do you respond to the popular notion that all religions lead to God? What significance do you place in Jesus’ unique role as the “Lamb of God?” Please explain.
  • How do you respond to the popular notion that all truth is subjective, i.e. my truth is not necessarily your truth? What significance do you place in Jesus’ unique role as “God with us,” the personification of Truth? Please explain.
  • How do you respond to the popular notion that this life is all there is, “the one with the most toys at the end wins?” What significance do you place in Jesus’ unique role as the “Word of God,” the giver of a full, satisfying life – both now and forever? Please explain.
  • How do you respond to the popular notion that evangelism is an intrusion into another person’s personal space, even hateful? If you believe that Jesus is “the Way, the Truth, and the Life” and that no one can come to the Father except through him, what responsibility do you have to say so? Please explain.

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Morning Prayer:

Lord Jesus Christ: You alone are the “Lamb of God,” who takes away our sin; you alone are “God with us,” the one who reveals absolute Truth; you alone are the “Word of God,” the giver of Life – there is no other Way to come to the Father. Fill us with a wellspring of love for the lost, that we might overcome all our inhibitions and reach out to them for their good and your glory. I ask this in your Name. Amen.
__________

“The Way” – Pat Barrett (New Horizon)

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Closing:

May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you, wherever He may send you. May He guide you through the wilderness, and protect you through the storm. May He bring you home rejoicing at the wonders He has shown you. May He bring you home rejoicing once again into our doors.

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

Morning Prayer: 02 May – Acts 13:44-52; John 14:7-14 ~ a light to the Gentiles

Saturday of the Fourth Week of Easter

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

Opening sentence and prayer:

All things are yours, and you are Christ’s and Christ is God’s. Alleluia.
_____

Eternal Shepherd, strengthen me for the coming day with the bread of Your Word. May Your voice find a response in my heart – do not let Your Word be silenced by rejection or indifference. You are at work in those who spread the gospel, confirming the truth of their message – help me to display Your resurrection by my way of living. You Yourself are the joy that can never be taken away – may I leave behind the sadness of sin and experience the wonder of eternal life. Lord, may Your resurrection enrich me with Your grace.

A Reading from Acts: Acts 13:44-52 (NLT)

The following week almost the entire city turned out to hear them preach the word of the Lord. But when some of the Jews saw the crowds, they were jealous; so they slandered Paul and argued against whatever he said.

a light to the gentiles

Then Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly and declared, “It was necessary that we first preach the word of God to you Jews. But since you have rejected it and judged yourselves unworthy of eternal life, we will offer it to the Gentiles. For the Lord gave us this command when he said, ‘I have made you a light to the Gentiles, to bring salvation to the farthest corners of the earth.’”

When the Gentiles heard this, they were very glad and thanked the Lord for his message; and all who were chosen for eternal life became believers. So the Lord’s message spread throughout that region.

Then the Jews stirred up the influential religious women and the leaders of the city, and they incited a mob against Paul and Barnabas and ran them out of town. So they shook the dust from their feet as a sign of rejection and went to the town of Iconium. And the believers were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.
__________

If you remain in my word, you will truly be my disciples, and you will know the truth, says the Lord. (John 8:31-32)
__________

A Reading from the Gospels: John 14:7-14 (NLT)

“If you had really known me, you would know who my Father is. From now on, you do know him and have seen him!”

Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied.”

power in Jesus name

Jesus replied, “Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and yet you still don’t know who I am? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father! So why are you asking me to show him to you? Don’t you believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words I speak are not my own, but my Father who lives in me does his work through me. Just believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me. Or at least believe because of the work you have seen me do.

“I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father. You can ask for anything in my name, and I will do it, so that the Son can bring glory to the Father. Yes, ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it!”
__________


__________

Canticle

Christ, as a light illumine and guide me. Christ as a shield overshadow me. Christ under me; Christ over me; Christ beside me on my left and my right.

This day be within and without me, lowly and meek, yet all-powerful. Be in the heart of each to whom I speak; in the mouth of each who speaks unto me. This day be within and without me, lowly and meek, yet all-powerful.

Christ as a light; Christ as a shield; Christ beside me on my left and my right.

Blessing:

May the Lord Christ go with you, wherever He may send you. May He guide you through the wilderness, protect you through the storm. May He bring you home rejoicing at the wonders He has shown you. May He bring you home rejoicing once again into our doors.

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