John 15:26-27; 16:4b-15

Pentecost – Year B

John 15:26-27; 16:4b-15

Going away is so unhandy to our plans based on our current reality. Whether it is Jesus, friend, lover, or enemy – their going away throws us for a loop. Yet, if we don't have some experience of loss, how will we recognize a new opportunity? Arrgh, what a system and what it says about a G*D in our image.

To be blessed by loss is to be open to revisiting our present anew and seeing what we might have gotten awry and what really needs to continue on for a bit. Could we have gotten the whole sin thing wrong (it's not about flesh, but spirit)? Could we have gotten the whole righteousness thing wrong (its not ours to achieve or G*D's to give)? Could we have gotten the whole judgment thing wrong (its not relative or absolute)? Could we have gotten the limits of our knowledge wrong (its not about either the traditions or what we can handle right now)? Could we have gotten glory wrong (its ours by virtue of another or it stands in eternity)?

When we become friends, not servants, we return to the flow of life, of grace – not based on our current creedal understanding but catching clearer glimpses of the Great Better continuing to inch its way into the present and taking root. This shift from the limits of what we already know to an inbreaking of a growing edge can make a helpful difference for us and for others.

So here is the set up for the week – waiting, in the midst of loss, for new and renewed friendship to gel and be released, to gel and be released, to be acted on and lost, to be and not to be – acting, in the midst of loss, of our own power and control, our own strengths and weaknesses, acceptance or rejection by others.

Wait and Act. Enjoy the wrestling.