John 14:23-29
Lead in: “Whoever loves me…and my Father…we will come to him and make our dwelling with him.” John 14:23 We open ourselves to God’s indwelling in us by observing the two great
commandments, love of God and love of neighbor. They are, in effect, two sides of the same coin. But there are different starting points that open us to the indwelling presence of the God within. One says, “First, love God and, as you do, you will learn to love your neighbor.” The other says, “First love your neighbor and, as you do, you will learn to love God.”
Prompt: Reflecting on your experience, can you give examples where each starting point has helped you be open to the indwelling presence of the God within?
Lead in: In John 14:28, Jesus tells his disciples, “My peace I leave you. My peace I give you.” The priest presiding over the Eucharist quoting Jesus from John 14 says the same greeting to the congregation. He does so just prior to inviting the congregation to share with one another the same peace that Jesus shared with his disciples.
Prompt: More than ever the world needs the peace that only Jesus can offer. As his ambassador in the world today, with whom are you being called to share his peace?
Lead in: “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 taught you.” John 14:25 Through the Holy Spirit, God invites all people into a loving relationship. No one is excluded from that invitation.
Prompt: Reflect on a time when God seemed distant.
Prompt: Reflect on a time when you felt God’s love drawing you to a closer relationship with him.
Lead in: The Book of Revelation uses a language rich in metaphor. This descriptive language hints at what heaven will be like.
Prompt: How do you imagine heaven?
Lead in: Acts 15 gives us a sense for some of the struggles of the early Church just 20 years after Christ’s death and Resurrection. The community was arguing about issues related to doctrine and matters of religious protocol. The particular matter in question was related to Gentiles who were now part of the community. Should Jewish law regarding circumcision be imposed on newly converted Gentiles? It was a polarizing controversy that was threatening to divide the community.
Prompt: Conflict within Christian communities has been with the Church since early on. When have you experienced such tension and how was it resolved?
