Rebecca Beal
St. Luke’s, Scranton
I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that
you may know that you have eternal life. And this is the boldness we have in him,
that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.”
1 John 5:13-14
I’ve heard the questions in many tones of voice: the imperious, “Pick me up!” as the little one walks backward in front of Mom or Dad with arms upstretched. The undeterred “Mom? Mom? Mom? Mom? Mom?” cutting unrelentingly into an important telephone conversation. The emailed, “Would you read this paper? It’s due today, at 10.”
I’ve certainly listened: I have stooped and opened my arms; I’ve opened the email attachment and turned on the printer. I have also said, “no,” or “not right now,” or “wait.”
Young children ask because they can; we respond because we love them. They are frequently impatient with our answers, but, along the way, their questions change; now adults, our sons and daughters call to talk. And, often, they still need someone to listen.
John’s Epistle addresses us as “little children”; when we pray, we are the child speaking, boldly, to a beloved parent. What is this parent’s will? That we love one another. That we ask: for food; for forgiveness; for power to forgive those hurting us; for help in trials and deliverance from evil; for the kingdom’s advent.
“This is the boldness we have in him, that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.”
So we can be bold as a Diocese when we say our Prayer for Pilgrimage and ask for courage to set off on pilgrimage; for guidance on our journey. For eyes open to new experiences, for ears open to hear God speaking. For inspired imaginations and clear vision. To be the people God would have us be.