Sometimes we are tempted to think that any achievements we may have are down to our efforts alone. Our readings today remind us that any glory we have comes from God alone.
Readings for Tuesday of the 7th week of Easter can be found here.
Whenever a priest leaves a parish, or someone retires or moves on from their job, there is often a farewell service or a leaving party. It’s a chance for parishioners, friends and colleagues to wish the person well in the next chapter of their life, and to celebrate all that they have done during their time in their role. For a priest, or any other person in a ministry role, such a leaving celebration is hopefully an opportunity to give for the ways in which God has been at work during their time in post. While giving thanks for the person themself is important, the true glory should always belong to him.
Our readings today have a valedictory feel about them, but this last point comes through loud and clear. In Acts, Paul is bidding farewell to the elders of the church in Ephesus, a community he had come to know well, since he spent about three years there. He tells them he is heading back to Jerusalem, where imprisonment awaits him. It is this imprisonment that will eventually lead to his martyrdom in Rome. But in his farewell speech, Paul is clear about what matters most: “I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry I received from the Lord Jesus”. Paul himself is not important, but serving Jesus is. In the Gospel, Jesus is speaking to the disciples at the Last Supper the night before his death. This speech is often referred to as the “Farewell Discourse”. Jesus speaks of having “accomplished the work that you gave me to do”. In this passage, the oneness of Jesus with the Father is evident. He asks the Father to glorify him in his forthcoming death and resurrection, but only so that he may glorify the Father; and he acknowledges that his power and authority flow from the Father.
Whatever role we occupy within the church, it can sometimes be tempting to think that the things we achieve are solely a result of our own prowess, skills or abilities. There is of course truth in this and we should give thanks for the gifts we have. But when the time comes for our own farewell speech or leaving party, may we acknowledge that the glory, the power and the authority belong to God, and God alone.
Mass today is in St Mary’s at 6.30pm.
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