As I read our Gospel text relating Jesus’ prayer on the eve  

of his trial and death,

I picture Jesus on his knees,  

or perhaps better with arms wide outstretched looking up to heaven,  

maybe like the painting we have of Jesus ascending  

on our upper chancel back wall.  

If it were like in a movie,  

there...

God’s gifts are true gifts, 

no matter how undeserving we are.

God’s gifts come with no conditions, and are freely bestowed.

When we are on our knees, and praying: “Jesus, help me!”, 

we are asking for Jesus to come to us, show his presence to us, comfort us,

and stand with us in our hour of despair.

Jesus may show us his scars too, 

to demonstrate that he knows our pain, and understands our suffering,

It’s almost as if you get a sense of whiplash, the focus is shifting so quickly. But in a way the speed at which events change mirrors that final week of Jesus’s life.For three years, Jesus’ ministry proceeded, with its ups and its downs, some highlights, some conflicts, but overall relatively peaceful and without major incident.

But suddenly, in Jesus’ last week, his 150th week of his divine ministry, every day is a major event, as the showdown in Jerusalem at the Great Feast of the Passover comes to a head.

Anything no matter how good, can be a replacement for God if it’s what we trust or rely on most. 

A god can be something that we’re proud of.

Who is your god, is it your net worth, your spouse, 

your kids, cottage or job?

So what is this divine water that God promises?

What is this offer from Jesus, the ever-flowing fountain?

God promises divine compassion,

A gift of love and life.

God promises to refresh us, to provide an Oasis, a Sanctuary for our souls.

God pledges us rest and he will remove our burdens.

We can let it go, release our load into the tender, merciful arms of our God.

God calls us by our name, and calls us God’s child.

We are granted a glimpse of hope,

Of Everlasting life, an assurance that death is not the end,

That trauma is not the end, 

that exhaustion is not the end.

I challenge you:

This month: watch a film made by a Black director 

or with a predominantly black cast,

Or

Read a book by a Black author

Or

Read about one aspect of Black culture or history.

Join me in donating to a local Black community organization, such as the Canadian Caribbean Association of Waterloo Region, 

The African Community Wellness Initiative 

or the Black Youth Helpline.

How do we deal with conflict and disagreements?

How do we relate to people who annoy us?

How do we act when people disrespect us?

Best in all these situations is to let patience and kindness shine through,

Whether we are setting boundaries or trying to remove them.

And that’s hard.

When your temper is boiling it’s difficult to take ten deep breaths and say something kind and be patient 

when really you just want to tell the person off

Yet despite everything,

No matter what, 

no matter that the earthly things 

we rely on in hard times disappoint us,

Still God loves us, 

and that is what really matters.

In this story of magi and gifts,

it all comes down to these two questions, I believe:

Can we point to the true source of Life, Emmanuel, when we are asked?

Can we bring our selves, truly and wholly, as Gifts to this Emmanuel?

No more can be asked of us, as followers of Christ: 

but to reflect Christ’s light as best as we can.