Today's invitation includes reading John 14:16-26. I added a verse before that and several at the end to complete a pericope.
It is one of the more beautiful and enigmatic passages in the New Testament, and it includes what I've always called the goo goo goo joob theology of John: "I am in my father, and you in me, and I in you" ... and I am the walrus. Or was it, "I am he as you are he as you are me and we are all together"?
Despite the silliness, I do love the extended meditation on love in which this passage falls. Just a few verses earlier (13:54) Jesus says, "I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have love you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another."
The setting for that commandment in John is the last supper, and from that comes the tradition of Maundy (or, mandate) Thursday.
I could not begin to follow the suggestion to set aside an hour in which to ask the guidance of the spirit on every single decision. The suggestion raises a host of questions for me that lead to theological detours and cul de sacs down which I'm not interested in traveling right now.
But, Jesus' words in John do remind me that the entire point of the Jesus movement is to give every hour to love. If we are guided by love -- if we ask ourselves in every decision "what would advance the cause of love" -- then I believe we are living at one with the spirit of love, just as Jesus did. Then, well, we are all together ... goo goo goo joob.
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