It is clear from a quick scroll through Facebook that we are in graduation season. Photos of smiling faces in cap and gown, diplomas held aloft, and stacks of moving boxes have become increasingly prevalent over the past few weeks. Graduation season is a season of both endings and beginnings. As young adults reach these milestones, there is a sense of accomplishment and excitement, of hope and some uncertainty. Whether heading to college or entering the workforce, many of the young adults in our lives are moving into something new, a stage of life with increasing freedom and increasing responsibility.
In the midst of excitement and anticipation of how the future will unfold, the parents and grandparents and teachers of these graduates recognize that, in many ways, it’s out of their hands now. All they can do is hope and pray that the life lessons and the good manners and the skills and knowledge they’ve been teaching over the years will actually stick once these young adults are on their own.
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| Photo by Vlad Bagacian on Unsplash |
There is a similar feeling in today’s Gospel reading - a sense of hope and prayerfulness in the midst of transition. This section of John’s Gospel is part of what’s called the farewell discourse - the extended teaching and assurances of Jesus to his disciples as they gathered for dinner on the night before his death.
Over these three chapters in John, Jesus reminds his dear friends that, even though he is leaving, they won’t be left alone. Because they abide in Jesus, they know the way to the Father. Because they abide in Jesus, they will receive the gift of the Advocate, the Holy Spirit. Because they abide in Jesus, they are connected to the life-giving vine, and will bear fruit. This fruit looks like works of love for one another, and comes about because of love - God’s love.
This weekend is a celebratory one for this congregation, as we rejoice with our students who will affirm the promises made to them and for them in their baptism. Though the Rite of Confirmation is very much not graduation, there is a similar shift as these students move into the next stage of their life of faith, one with increased freedom as well as increased responsibility.
As they stand before the congregation, these students will affirm their intention to continue in the promises made in baptism: to live among God’s faithful people; to hear the word of God and share in the Lord’s supper; to proclaim the good news of God in Christ through word and deed; to serve all people, following the example of Jesus; and to strive for justice and peace in all the earth.
In these promises, we hear echoes of Jesus’ words to his disciples: abide in my love. Abide in Jesus’ love, by living and worshiping among God’s faithful people. Abide in Jesus’ love, by sharing in this powerful supper, the body and blood of Christ given and shed for you. Abide in Jesus’ love, and bear the fruit you were created and called to bear: the fruit of love. Love, lived out in word and deed. Love, shown in service to others. Love, which strives and prays and votes and works for justice and peace for the whole world.
These promises always feel weighty to me, and they are! There is so much sin and brokenness and hurt in the world; so much struggle; so many examples of Christians bearing diseased fruit so full of hatred that it could not possibly come from Christ the vine. Who am I, who are you, as one person to attempt to counteract that?
This is perhaps a good time to be reminded that not one of us was called or confirmed or ordained to be the Savior of the world. No, we have a savior - Jesus - who has called us and chosen us to be God’s beloved children. We have a savior - Jesus - who loves us deeply, without regard for our failures or successes.
Just as the disciples were being prepared to live their faith and their calling in a new way after Jesus’ death, resurrection, and ascension, so too does Jesus prepare and equip us for our life of faith. Wherever we are on this journey, the truth and promise of God’s love remain. It is this love, God’s love, that forgives and heals and makes new. It is this love, God’s love, that strengthens and encourages us, through the work of the Holy Spirit. It is this love, God’s love, that transforms us and the world. It is in this love we abide, and for this love we give thanks.
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