During Lent, approximately 20 parishioners met on Tuesday evenings for a six-week offering of
prayer and reflection called “Meeting Jesus in the Gospel of John,” produced by the Society of St. John the Evangelist (SSJE) and Virginia Theological Seminary. Each week highlighted a main theme of the gospel, focused on the intimate connection between God and each one of us in and through our relationship with Jesus Christ. The at-home portion of the program consisted of a daily Scripture verse from the Gospel of John for meditation and prayer, together with daily short videos, emailed to participants’ inbox, in which an SSJE Brother reflected on the verse. A program journal provided guidance in prayer and reflection and a place for recording whatever arose during the daily prayer time through writing, drawing or painting. Each Tuesday evening, we met to reflect together on the Scripture verses of the past week and to respond together on where and how we met Jesus that week.
At its conclusion, participants were asked to reflect on the total experience of the program. Here are a few highlights:
- Many comments centered on the newness of the concept of intimacy with God, and the comfort it brought to connect with God dwelling inside each of us. “This is the first time that I have taken a class where I really had to look at my relationship with God, Jesus and the Spirit. Today I have a better understanding of my beliefs and love of God. God is within me today.” And from another participant: “It has been a journey opening up myself to God’s love; accepting the fact that God is always with us and loves us.”
- Many were a little concerned about making time for prayer, but found it didn’t take very long and carried them through their busy day: “Through the daily journaling, where we sat with the day’s Bible verse and guidance from the videos, I felt as though I was able to have Jesus more closely by my side. I know God is always with me, but having taken time each day to invite Jesus to sit with me, I felt my compassion for others grow…I felt a steady stream of love, guidance, and support.”
- Some commented that it made them feel more familiar with Scripture as a source of inspiration: “I developed the habit of not only reading the daily sentence provided, but of reading the chapter in the Gospel of John from which the quote came and other chapters as well. Reading those chapters deepened my relationship with Jesus.”
- Everyone who responded mentioned that they met Jesus in one another in the weekly group discussions. One example: “I got to know several people better…some of their history, some of their present life struggles, and some of their faith. I consider this meeting Jesus because we are the Body of Christ. And we were able to support one another in love.”
Finally, one participant compared the group to a road map:
“Christ is the paper on which the map is drawn. We each one are the lines. Some bold highways, others lovely backroads. Some are shady rest stops, and others a big park. Jesus directs and informs us all. And when we are trapped in a roundabout, Christ is there in the form of a fellow Christian (or perhaps someone not a Christian) to help us get back on the road – hopefully in the right direction.”
The Adult Faith Formation Committee provides offerings throughout the year, with two seasonal series during Advent and Lent. A special thanks to Janet Fischer for co-facilitating this series with me. Please consider making space in your life to join us for inspiration, consolation, and community the next time you hear or read an announcement for an upcoming program.
~ The Rev. Anna Horen