Greetings my friends.
This is Mark Gladman,
Also known as Brother Frederick James,
Your friendly neighbourhood monk in docks.
Welcoming you to another day in our walk through Lent towards Easter,
Reflecting on the I Am statements of Jesus.
And today we'll begin reflecting on John chapter 14,
Where in verse 6 Jesus says,
I am the way,
The truth and the life.
So as we begin today,
As always,
I invite you to sit,
Be still,
Let the noise of the day settle as you come into that stillness.
Take a deep breath in and out.
Allow your body to relax,
Your shoulders to soften and most of all for your mind and your heart to be open.
As we begin,
I invite you to imagine yourself in the upper room with Jesus and the disciples.
The light of the oil lamps flickers,
Casting warm shadows across the faces of the people who have gathered.
The air is thick with uncertainty.
There's a tension in the room that you can feel,
The weight of unspoken questions that are hanging between friends.
The murmurs have quieted,
But the emotions are palpable.
There's concern,
There's confusion and there's fear of the unknown.
And you see Jesus seated at the table.
His presence though is steady,
Unwavering,
Very unlike the feeling that's in the room.
His eyes full of compassion meet your eyes.
Then as he looks at you,
He speaks.
Do not let your heart be troubled.
Believe in God,
Believe also in me.
His words are simple.
They seem to carry a profound invitation.
And what stirs within you as you hear these words?
What worries or uncertainties do you carry in this moment that Jesus might be speaking to?
And then Jesus continues.
In my Father's house there are many dwelling places.
If it were not so,
I would have told you that I go prepare a place for you.
Close your eyes and picture this place that Jesus prepares for you.
Not just a distant heaven,
But a space,
A dwelling place,
Even now,
Where you're deeply known and fully held in love.
What does this place look like?
Perhaps literally or perhaps metaphorically?
Is it a garden,
Lush and peaceful?
Is it a home filled with warmth and light?
Maybe a quiet sanctuary where you can breathe and just be.
Now imagine Jesus standing beside you.
His presence is reassuring,
Calming.
He places a hand over yours and says,
You are not alone and you never have been.
I wonder,
What would it feel like to believe this fully?
To trust without hesitation that you are seen,
That you belong,
That there is nothing to fear.
What would that feel like?
Let's just pause for a moment and reflect on that.
Jesus then says,
I will come again and take you to myself so that where I am,
There you may be also.
Once again,
Hear these words as a promise,
Not just for the future,
But for now,
For today,
Right here,
In this very moment,
Jesus is drawing you close.
Can you surrender your fears,
Even for just a breath,
And rest in this assurance just for a moment,
Knowing that you are seen,
Knowing that you are loved,
Knowing that the fears and the worries that you hold to right now,
Jesus wants you to know that believing in him,
That is not just to give some sort of mental assent to Jesus' existence,
But trusting when Jesus tells you that you have this safe place with God,
A place that you can rest,
A place that's always been there,
But we so often forget exists.
Can you for just one moment rest in that?
Let us pray.
Jesus,
Help us trust in you,
To believe in you.
Let us rest in the home you've prepared for us,
Not only in the life to come,
But in the life that we live today.
Help us to rest so that our hearts can be untroubled,
Resting fully in the home of your love that you have prepared for each one of us.
And may grace,
Peace and love go with us every step of the way,
Today and every day.
Amen.
My friend,
Go into the day feeling the peace of Christ settling into your heart.
Breathe in,
And let your heart expand,
Filling every space where worry has lived,
That breath of life comes in.
Let this love,
Christ's love,
Anchor you,
Steady you,
And hold you.
Until tomorrow,
Grace and peace be with you.
