Quick, wash your robes!

When somebody is coming to visit (and coming soon), it often leads to a flurry of activity. Some things might need to be cleaned up or put away. There might be a need to get groceries or to make the beds. There might be other things that need to be cleared off your schedule. Generally speaking, we prepare if somebody is coming soon. Does it have this effect on us, though, when Jesus says it?

Interestingly enough, there are suggestions in today’s reading about how one might prepare for Jesus’ coming. Washing our robes is mentioned, which leaves us to figure out what that means. Some have suggested that doing the commandments of Jesus is intended. One might also think of remembering our baptism, remembering that we belong to God. This might also lead to living in God’s way.

However, the other suggestion for how to prepare is an open invitation for us to come. We are invited to come and take the water of life as a gift. Perhaps we could imagine breathing deeply and being aware of the presence and power of the Holy Spirit. We could imagine sitting quietly in the presence of God, drinking deeply. We could imagine walking day by day with the Source of all life.

Everlasting God, teach us to drink deeply of the life you have to offer, always aware of Jesus with us. Amen. — LLH