Prelude – Just before the Passover
‘It was just before the Passover Festival. Jesus knew that the hour had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.’1
John speaks – I treasured every word Our Lord gave us at that evening meal. Each one was inscribed on my heart when the sorrow laid hold of me. I recited them over and over as the years passed and then I took those words, just as I had murmured and pondered them night after night and committed them to writing.
At that time Jesus was about to leave us. He predicted that we would seek him, but we could not go with him. And even though his words hurt us I was aware of that amazing love which flowed from him and into us. Whatever the reason for his going from us, it would surely tear his heart from him just as it broke our spirits.
I felt his gaze on me as I struggled with the grief and I moved over to him, to lay my head on his breast. There I felt the beating heart of love that had no limit, and in this way, I saw through his eyes and understood the message he gave us.
The Vine
As he spoke, I saw Our Lord as the great Vine, deeply rooted so that it drew from the Source of all things – his Creator-Father, and I felt the touch of the Father in continuing creation, tending the Vine. I saw myself and those who loved him and obeyed him, grafted to that living Vine. The life of the Vine flowed through us, and we grew fruitful and strong.
‘Here,’ I said to myself, ‘here I will stay forever.’
Abide in Me
I heard Jesus say ‘… abide in me, ‘If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.’
And ‘yes Lord,’ I said, here I will stay, and I will keep your words in my heart and all I ask is to stay with you and make your words known to those you love. They will see You and the Glory of the Father and there will be so many disciples living in love and loving as You love.
Apart From Me
I do not grieve for that embrace.
I always live close beside You now.
You told us that we could do nothing apart from You. I know this is true because my words, my love for your loved ones, flow out from my union with you.
That You Bear Much Fruit
I ask only to abide in you and to obey the commandment of your love and to share your life-giving words. This is the fruit I will bear for the glory of my Love, my Lord, and the glory of the Father.
[Readings: Acts 15:1-6; John 15:1-8]
1 John 13:1,
