May 13 - Mothers’ Day - John 14:23-27
A regular occurrence at the
day care is to hear a child crying and yelling “I want my mommy.” Maybe they fell on the play ground – or they
had an altercation with another child.
Some tragedy has occurred – or at least what seems tragic to a three
year old – and the only thing that can make things right is mommy.
Usually the teacher can
console them – at least temporarily. But
the arrival of mommy is a time of joy.
Because if
mommy is here, I don’t have to be afraid any more. Mommy can heal my hurt – and make me
better. Because mommy
always loves me. A mother’s presence bring peace and security.
The Hebrew bible has a word
that sums all that up – and more: Shalom. It’s usually translated
“peace’ or “wholeness”. It denotes an
inner serenity and a tranquility of the soul.
It is a peace that, the bible says, surpasses human understanding. And perhaps the best example of Shalom
is the feeling a child has in the presence of his or her mother.
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This is the kind of peace – of shalom – that Jesus offers us.
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do
not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do
not let them be afraid. John 14:27
Peace that the world cannot give – peace of mind and heart. So don’t be troubled or afraid, Jesus says,
for I am with you.
It is a peace that flows from His presence.
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The late Ann Landers received thousands of letters seeking advice each
month. When asked what seemed to be the
most common topic, she answered that most people seem to be afraid of
something. They are afraid of losing
their health, their job, their family.
Many are even afraid when there is no reason to be afraid.
Do not let your hearts be troubled,
and do not let them be afraid.
The gift of peace is the promise of Christ’s presence amidst trouble –
his presence in the form of the Holy Spirit.
He assures us that we don’t have to be fearful because He is with us. We
can abide securely in the love of Christ.
In His presence we find shalom, wholeness and well being.
As children grow into
teenagers and then young adults, they become independent of their mother. They get a job, then a car, and finally more
into an apartment shared with room mates.
I’m free and independent - on my own – and I don’t have to listen to my
mother. Then there is some set-back –
things aren’t working out – and guess what happens? You know.
They come home to mother. They
come home to that sense of security and well being – of peace - Shalom.
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Where ever your mother is, that’s home.
Those who love me will keep my word, and
my Father will love them, and we will
come to them and make our home with them.
14:23
As we keep His word, the Lord will come to us and abide with us - Make
His home with us. We don’t rise up to
God, but he comes down to be with us.
And the way in which he comes down to us is His word. As we prayerfully read and study the Bible,
the Lord comes down to us to make His home with us. At home with the Lord, we can find peace and
security.
But a warning: when the Lord moves in to make His home with you, he
makes some extra keys. Keys for the Holy
Spirit, keys for other disciples, maybe even keys for strangers.
With the Lord, it’s always an open house.
If he is at home with us, he expects us to open our hearts to others –
to practice hospitality and generosity.
Shalom also
means wholeness, a peace that is not only interior, but includes others in the
community of Christ.
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The first lesson tells the story of
“If you consider me a believer in the Lord,
come and stay at my house.” Acts
16:15
Receiving God’s peace - the Holy Spirit - prompts hospitality and
generosity.
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This week I read a book, Mars
Needs Moms. Actually it was a
picture book for children – and even a controversial book. The premise of the book is that scientists on
Mars have been using their telescopes to observe civilization on earth. They’ve seen good and bad – but what has
impressed them the most is a mother’s love for her children.
Apparently, there are no moms
on Mars – and the Martians are envious.
They haven’t experienced anything like the unique love of a mother – a
love that is unselfish – giving without asking anything in return – a love that
is self giving – sacrificing herself for her child. This kind of love is wonderful – and they’re
missing out. So Martians are sent to
earth to kidnap some moms and take them back to Mars.
While it’s only a children’s
book, its point is certainly true: there
is no love like a mother’s. The book is
controversial – the first publisher turned it down – because it makes a point
that may not be suitable for children; a mother’s love is so great that she
would even give her life to save her son or daughter.
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It is an unconditional love – based solely on the fact that she gave
birth to me – and God loves me simply because he gave me life and I am His
child.
Jesus demonstrated His love by giving His life for us – that we might
have new life in his name.
It is a steadfast, continuing love.
Just as our mothers are there for us, so the Lord will always be there –
we can count on God’s love.
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A young pastor tells this
story. “I remember a sense of
hopelessness when my car was wrecked in an auto accident. I had just started working in my first church,
and didn’t have the money for repairs or a new car. It was clearly the other driver’s fault, but
his insurance company sensed my desperate lack of funds. So they stalled and ignored me – hoping I’d
finally settle for what ever they offered me, even if it wasn’t enough to
repair my battered car. But a lawyer
wouldn’t take my case because the amount involved seemed small to them. There wasn’t enough in it for them.
“Luckily, a church member was a
powerful trial attorney. He offered to phone the insurance company and tell
them he was preparing to sue. After his
call, the insurance company called, offering to settle by paying for all the
necessary repairs.”
The pastor concluded: “I had a
powerful advocate, without whom I could be mistreated. But with my advocate, my calls were returned
with courtesy, and financial obligations fulfilled. I discovered the value of an advocate.”
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Jesus uses that word “advocate” to describe the working of the Holy
Spirit: An advocate – one
who is at your side, and on your side,
But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father
will send in my name, will teach you everything, and remind you of all that I
have said to you.
14:26
Jesus promises another comforter, the Holy Spirit, who is the one who
will be His peace among His followers.
The promised peace and security is the promise of his
very own presence.
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A Calvin and Hobbs cartoon
began with mother sitting in her favorite chair, sipping her morning
coffee. Then her son Calvin walks in and
she’s amazed at how he is dressed. His head is encased in a space helmet. A large cape is draped around his shoulders –
and dragging on the floor. One hand is
holding a flashlight, the other a baseball bat.
“What’s up today?”
“Nothing so far.”
“So far?”
“You never know, something could happen – and if it
does, I’m ready for it.”
“Maybe I need an outfit like that.”
You don’t need a helmet and cape.
Just trust the words of Jesus in today’s gospel and you can say:
Whatever may come my way, I’m going to
be ready for it. Bring it on.
Christ has given you a share of his Spirit and his power. The Holy Spirit, the Advocate, is at your
side and on your side.
So Jesus says to you:
Do not be
afraid – Don’t let your heart be troubled.
Whatever comes, we can handle it.