Scripture Scribbles: May 22, 2022

the Gospel

John 14:23-29

Jesus said to his disciples:

“Whoever loves me will keep my word,

and my Father will love him,

and we will come to him and make our dwelling with him.

Whoever does not love me does not keep my words;

yet the word you hear is not mine

but that of the Father who sent me.

“I have told you this while I am with you.

The Advocate, the Holy Spirit,

whom the Father will send in my name,

will teach you everything

and remind you of all that I told you.

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.

Not as the world gives do I give it to you.

Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid.

You heard me tell you,

‘I am going away and I will come back to you.’

If you loved me,

you would rejoice that I am going to the Father;

for the Father is greater than I.

And now I have told you this before it happens,

so that when it happens you may believe.”

the devotion

It’s not uncommon to hear or read the encouraging words: “God is with you.” And this is true – God is with us. But what we hear in the Gospel today gives depth and meaning to this statement that maybe we don’t always realize or think about on a daily basis. Jesus says,

“We will come to him and make our dwelling with him”

Allow that to deeply sink in.

The Holy Trinity will come to me... God the Father, Jesus the Christ, and the Holy Spirit make their dwelling in me…

This is the reality that takes place when we open ourselves up to God, when we read His word and allow it to have a place in our hearts. This is the reality that takes place when we encounter God in the sacraments and in the quiet moments of prayer.

Our God desires a oneness, a union with us that is beyond words.

Take a moment right now. Even if you can only take 60 seconds, give yourself a moment ... Put your device aside, close your eyes, take some deep breaths and allow yourself to meditate on this truth, to ponder God dwelling within you.

Thank you. Now maybe you meditated on a deep peace and all your worries and concerns being swept away by the Lord. Maybe you contemplated a sense of confidence and surety as you go about your day knowing that God is in you. Maybe you wondered how God, infinitely powerful and mighty, can dwell within you. Whatever it is that filled your mind in this brief moment of prayer, allow it to grow and take root in your heart.

Take this reality into your day, into your week…

God comes to you and makes His dwelling in you.

Today’s devotion is written by Kaitlin Gilday.