Devotional
As a kid, the beginning of the 14th chapter of John just confused me: “In my father’s house there are many mansions.” And, while I got the idea as an adult, out of context it didn’t really resonate. But then, the morning after my dad died, that changed. I began searching for some inspiration to help begin the process of what I might say at his eulogy. I started as I always start such journeys—by winnowing out some focal point for the prayer and meditation that would lead me, flipping through oft-read books around the house piled by my chair and stacked on the desk and the few that had actually found their way back to the bookshelf. During this process I picked up an English Standard Version of the Gospel, recently acquired at a library book sale. What difference another translation, a new turn of phrase, makes. It was the center I needed to consider my dad and it remains a center for my broader understanding today.
In the end of chapter 13, Jesus cuts Simon Peter to the bone, assaulting his whole sense of himself: “Peter said to him, Lord, why can I not follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.’ Jesus answered, ‘Will you lay down your life for me? Truly, truly, I say to you, the rooster will not crow till you have denied me three times.’” (John 13:37-38) The pain must have been two-fold, because surely Simon Peter saw truth in it. But Jesus is as gentle as he is forthright, and in his next breath (though it’s the beginning of a new chapter), he’s telling Simon Peter not to worry, there is room for all of us within the experience of God: “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms.” (John 14:1-2)
There is room in God’s house for all of us—those who thrive and those who wither, the ne’er-do-well and the super-successful, liberal and conservative, programmed and un-programmed, men and women, old and young, gay and straight, mystic and political, the dissenter and the conformist. It’s a big house; there is plenty of room. God loves us all, and the experience of the Divine is open to us. God shares gifts with each of us, no matter who were are. All of us. How wonderful is that?
As a kid, the beginning of the 14th chapter of John just confused me: “In my father’s house there are many mansions.” And, while I got the idea as an adult, out of context it didn’t really resonate. But then, the morning after my dad died, that changed. I began searching for some inspiration to help begin the process of what I might say at his eulogy. I started as I always start such journeys—by winnowing out some focal point for the prayer and meditation that would lead me, flipping through oft-read books around the house piled by my chair and stacked on the desk and the few that had actually found their way back to the bookshelf. During this process I picked up an English Standard Version of the Gospel, recently acquired at a library book sale. What difference another translation, a new turn of phrase, makes. It was the center I needed to consider my dad and it remains a center for my broader understanding today.
In the end of chapter 13, Jesus cuts Simon Peter to the bone, assaulting his whole sense of himself: “Peter said to him, Lord, why can I not follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.’ Jesus answered, ‘Will you lay down your life for me? Truly, truly, I say to you, the rooster will not crow till you have denied me three times.’” (John 13:37-38) The pain must have been two-fold, because surely Simon Peter saw truth in it. But Jesus is as gentle as he is forthright, and in his next breath (though it’s the beginning of a new chapter), he’s telling Simon Peter not to worry, there is room for all of us within the experience of God: “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms.” (John 14:1-2)
There is room in God’s house for all of us—those who thrive and those who wither, the ne’er-do-well and the super-successful, liberal and conservative, programmed and un-programmed, men and women, old and young, gay and straight, mystic and political, the dissenter and the conformist. It’s a big house; there is plenty of room. God loves us all, and the experience of the Divine is open to us. God shares gifts with each of us, no matter who were are. All of us. How wonderful is that?
Requests
- From Katie Terrell: “Thank you so much to my wonderful FUM family around the world for the opportunity to serve you as editor of FUM Communications. Connecting with you through Quaker Life magazine, visits to your meetings and yearly meetings, phone calls, e-mails, and prayer has truly enriched my life. Even though I’ll be wrapping up my time in the office on June 27, I look forward to connecting with you in new ways as God is sure to bring us together again!” With love, Katie
- Please pray for the FUM General Board as members prepare to travel and meet in the Richmond office June 27-30.
- Pray for the Ramallah work team led by Max and Jane Carter. Friends will be traveling June 29 to July 15.
- Pray for Joyce Ajlouny as she prepares to travel to the U.S., and continue to remember the Barber family while they are “home” for the summer.
- We celebrate the work of Marvin Hall as executive secretary of Wilmington Yearly Meeting and pray for the transition in leadership as Doug Haag assumes this post. We also pray for the many additional monthly and yearly meetings undergoing staff transitions at this time.
- We ask for blessing upon the FGC Gathering, meeting July 1-7 in Rhode Island. Many FUM Friends belong to both FUM and FGC and will be attending the gathering for worship, fellowship, and business.
- Give thanks for River Run Week in Toronto June 4–8, organized by Grassy Narrows First Nation and its partners, including Christian Peace Teams, highlighting the effects of mercury poisoning in their community. Pray for justice and healing for the people and land. (Prayers for Peacemakers)
- Remember Judy, Joyce, and Stephanie in your prayers as they recover from surgeries and illnesses. We pray for their healing and strength of body and mind during this season in their lives.
- Pray for Jamaica Yearly Meeting, who will be having their annual Sessions August 10-12 at the Swift Purscell Boys Home.
- From the Barbers of Friends Boys School in Belize: “Praise that we are adjusting to the “cooler” weather and have a vehicle to use this summer. Pray that our schedule will fill up for July, that Robert will get all that is needed for college, and that Katie has a great time working at Camp Quaker Heights.”
