Quick Summary:

Waiting these final weeks of Easter for the outpouring of the Spirit is like waiting for the starter's gun to fire.In this odd section of John's gospel, after Jesus says RISE - LET US BE ON OUR WAY! He sits back down and we get three more chapters of teaching. The whole 17th chapter is his prayer, and we are eavesdroppers, knowing the prayer is also for us.
The number of unreligiously affiliated people in America is rising among all demographics. What does Jesus' prayer mean in this context?
Our place is in the world. We are not meant to hide from it or avoid it but engage it, as God's "rusty tools."