One of my favorite all time scripture passages is John 17:22-23 – “And I have given them the glory you gave me, so that they may be one, as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may be brought to perfection as one, that the world may know that you sent me, and that you loved them even as you loved me.” (NABRE) I use this verse often as a tag line of sorts – ending most of my correspondence with “John 17:22-23” To think that we are invited into the perfect oneness of the Father and the Son is beyond my human comprehension – and I want it!
Well, I think I do, it does sound a little scary… To think that we have been freely given such glory so that we can experience a oneness beyond all human comprehension blows me away. Then to think that this gift of oneness is given to us so that the world will know that not only did the Father send the Son, but that the Father has loved us as he has loved the Son… Wow!
Divine Sphere of Love
While it is hard to image what all of this looks like I like to visualize a brightly illuminated sphere – a sphere without boundaries that extends infinitely. I big, glowing, infinite ball. God’s glory surrounds and completely penetrates this infinite sphere, illuminating it with God’s divine light. Inside the sphere a divine dance fills the space. The Father, the Son, dancing together. The rhythm of the dance brings into existence all that is – including you and me and every part of creation. The Father starts the dance, the Son surrenders and follows the Father, and the Holy Spirit is the love between them. The sphere is filled with the Holy Trinity – the Father, the Son, and the divine love between them that is the Holy Spirit.
When Jesus tells us that we have been given this glory, so that we can be one like the Father and the Son are one, we are invited into this divine sphere. I dare say that we are already there – even when we don’t know it. We are continually immersed in this divine sphere, surrounded by divine love that unites us with Oneness. Here we rest, heal, and receive all that our body, heart, and soul craves.
Broken Heartedness and Healing
Yet, we live in a world where we suffer, a world that does not feel like a divine sphere of love. True enough. However, we must remember, that we are called to not be of this world – we are called to be of God’s world. The divine dance is happening and we are invited – this is also true. As God’s children we are invited into his heaven and the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand as scripture tells us. Living in God’s world calls us to live like Jesus in this world of suffering – loving, forgiving, and surrendering to the will of the Father. We are called to become God’s servants, emptying ourselves for the sake of the Kingdom.
Yeast for the Kingdom
As servants we become yeast for his Kingdom. Remember, only a little yeast is required for bread to rise.
And here is the central piece in my reflection today. As believers we are God’s yeast in this world and we live in the middle of God’s divine sphere. As his yeast we are called to help the entire loaf (the world) rise.
Jesus has given those who believe, and those who will believe in him, the glory God the Father gave him. Many of us are already blessed to believe in the power of Christ, what a gift our faith is. Isn’t it refreshing to know that even our small belief is enough for God to use us as an instrument, an instrument to draw others unto him. God will use us as his yeast to bring others to their dancing feet. God loves all of his creation and he wants to dance with everyone!
And this is where we come in. Through our continual surrender to the Father our yeast will help his bread rise.
“I pray not only for them, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, so that they may all be one, as you, Father, are in me and I in you, that they also may be in us, that the world may believe that you sent me.” – John 17:20 (NABRE)
Performing the Father’s Works
When we surrender to the Father we too will do works like Jesus did – works of love and forgiveness. Only works directed by the Father are worthy of believing in. They are the only works our souls desire – these are the works Jesus modeled for us. The world is watching and it needs God’s children to model Christ for all to see. Its time to bake the bread and put on our dancing shoes.
“If I do not perform my Father’s works, do not believe me; but if I perform them, even if you do not believe me, believe the works, so that you may realize and understand that the Father is in me and I am in the Father.” – John 10: 37-38
A little yeast goes a long way. Yeast of love and forgiveness are essential ingredients in God’s bread, and they are found in the rhythm of the divine dance.
Global Light For Christ
Our little prayer community keeps growing! We are resting in God’s divine sphere. Our prayers are powerful and praying together we are God’s yeast – opening ourselves to his rising bread. Last Friday I was at Saint Meinrad for a meeting and I took some time to sit in the Saint Thomas Aquinas Chapel before I left to go back home. I lit a candle for our group (its the one in the top row in picture above). Kneeling there, taking in the love that filled the space, I felt both humility and gratitude. A few silent tears ran down my cheeks. I am grateful for our community – thank you for being a part of Global Light For Christ.
If you would like to add your prayer intention below please do so below. Or, if you prefer to keep your intention private please email me and I will include you in my daily prayers. This week I am praying that God increase within each of us an ability to become yeast as he desires – for his glory.
God bless all of you. See you next week Friday – Carolyn
God the Father – draw us in your Fatherly love.
God the Son – continue to help our hearts heal and forgive.
God the Holy Spirit – embrace us in your divine love.
