Acts 9: 31-42; Psalm 116; John 6: 53, 60-69
We have prayed to the Holy Spirit, for whom the disciples wait during these 50 days. In persecution they experience peace, and “in the comfort of the Holy Spirit,” they increase in numbers. The word is parakalesei, the Johannine Paraclete, the comforter. Jesus claims that “the words I have spoken to you are spirit and life.” Yet, some walk away from the invitation to eat his flesh and drink his blood. So poignantly, Jesus turns to his best friends: “Will you also go away?” He really does not know. This is not a test. What if he has opened up his deep hunger to be so united with us, and we walk away?
How are the words of Jesus—the stories, the sayings, the words of healing and words of welcome to sinners and outcasts—spirit and life to you? What might tempt you to walk away from him? Can you comfort him as Peter’s response must have? Pray for those being persecuted by war, violence of any kind, betrayal, abandonment.
Lord Jesus, we worship you and thank you for your words of spirit and life, of healing and welcome. Let our welcome increase the numbers in our communities.