To Be Known In Community

Jesus said, ”If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, to be with you forever. This is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, because he abides with you, and he will be in you. From John 14:15-21

During Jesus' Farewell Discourse he is spending a lot of time preparing the disciples for what life might look like for them after he departs.

As we go through the month of May, there are many transitions happening in families. For those who are graduating from high school, there are yearlong endings and activities that mark this important turn. As someone wisely mentioned in my Bible study this past Monday morning, that process continues throughout life. How we navigate these transitions is important. We learn how to say goodbye and express gratitude for what has been. We hear from those who have been changed by our presence and they have a chance to reflect back what has been changed in them.

This Sunday, we will recognize our high school graduating seniors. They will participate in the 10:30 service and a number of them will share reflections about their time in the St. Mark's community. This has become one of my favorite Sundays of the year. I never fail to be moved to hear from these graduates as they share what has made a difference in their life here at St. Mark's. It is an important view of our community. But they have not just been formed by us. We have been formed and changed by them.

We will have a chance to celebrate that gift of community life together. We will bless them as they head into a new season of life and remind them that they remain important to us. We will invite them to be guided by the Advocate, or Holy Spirit, which we are promised. We will also gratefully await their return home! It is a joy to send them forth and to look forward to their stories when they return.

Community by its nature involves farewells and welcoming. Jesus has modeled to us a way to do that with love. We love and are loved. We have what we need and honor the transitions as part of our shared journey.

I look forward to seeing you all there! Peace, Beth+