Above All

Some things that came to mind when I read the first line of today’s gospel, “the one who comes from above is above all”, were an umbrella, a waterfall, and a blanket. These three things are different ways in which we can be covered. The umbrella protects us from the storm, the waterfall washes us, and the blanket covers us in warmth. Above all Jesus protects, washes, and covers us when we give him permission, when we accept his testimony, and when we trust in his Spirit. We have a part in placing Jesus above all that we say and do. We have a part in opening the umbrella, standing under the shower of grace, and wrapping his presence around us. These things require us to pay attention, to be awake, and to spend time with the desires of our heart. The desires of our heart will always lead to the one who comes from above because that is how love made us. When we start to listen to earthly voices and what this world says will cover us, we lose sight of the one that rests upon us. The world is about striving and achieving and deserving and doing. Heaven is about being and receiving and listening and resting. I don’t know about you, but the world seems exhausting and heaven seems like the loveliest vacation. I know it’s crazy to suggest that we stop “doing”, but what if today we all stood under (or understood) and let love cover us, let it wash over us, warm us, and keep us safe. My favorite line in today’s gospel is, “He does not ration the gift of the Spirit.” Just ponder that one for a bit. How beautiful, how lovely, how right, how noble, how perfect, and how amazing is the non-rationed flow of the Holy Spirit for those of us awake enough to let it rest upon us. I know it’s a paradox to be awake in order to rest, but that’s just it, the eyes of our heart need be opened so that we can see the resting of the Spirit upon us. It is limitless and free, it is available for all, and it is all. Spending time in His Word is the only way for us to accept the testimony, to know the voice of the Father, and to be blanketed in the Holy Spirit. 

One of my memory care friends named Lola often shows up to activities, meals, or just walking through the halls with a great big fuzzy blanket wrapped around her. She loves the comfort, the warmth, and the being held. She knows that being wrapped in softness is what she needs and of course Lola is right. Let the softness of God wrap around you today. Let the love of Jesus cover you today. Let the unlimited gifts of the Holy Spirit pour over you today. Then go and do the same for others. It is well with my soul. 

Reading 1 ACTS 5:27-33

When the court officers had brought the Apostles in
and made them stand before the Sanhedrin,
the high priest questioned them,
"We gave you strict orders did we not,
to stop teaching in that name.
Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching
and want to bring this man's blood upon us."
But Peter and the Apostles said in reply,
"We must obey God rather than men. 
The God of our ancestors raised Jesus,
though you had him killed by hanging him on a tree.
God exalted him at his right hand as leader and savior
to grant Israel repentance and forgiveness of sins.
We are witnesses of these things,
as is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey him."

When they heard this,
they became infuriated and wanted to put them to death.

Responsorial Psalm PS 34:2 AND 9, 17-18, 19-20

R.(7a) The Lord hears the cry of the poor.
or:
R. Alleluia.
I will bless the LORD at all times;
his praise shall be ever in my mouth.
Taste and see how good the LORD is;
blessed the man who takes refuge in him.
R. The Lord hears the cry of the poor.
or:
R. Alleluia.
The LORD confronts the evildoers,
to destroy remembrance of them from the earth.
When the just cry out, the LORD hears them,
and from all their distress he rescues them.
R. The Lord hears the cry of the poor.
or:
R. Alleluia.
The LORD is close to the brokenhearted;
and those who are crushed in spirit he saves.
Many are the troubles of the just man,
but out of them all the LORD delivers him.
R. The Lord hears the cry of the poor.
or:
R. Alleluia.

Alleluia JN 20:29

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
You believe in me, Thomas, because you have seen me, says the Lord;
blessed are those who have not seen, but still believe!
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel JN 3:31-36

The one who comes from above is above all.
The one who is of the earth is earthly and speaks of earthly things.
But the one who comes from heaven is above all.
He testifies to what he has seen and heard,
but no one accepts his testimony.
Whoever does accept his testimony certifies that God is trustworthy.
For the one whom God sent speaks the words of God.
He does not ration his gift of the Spirit.
The Father loves the Son and has given everything over to him.
Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life,
but whoever disobeys the Son will not see life,

but the wrath of God remains upon him.