Friday, May 16, 2003
4th Week of Easter

1st Reading: Acts 13:26-33
Gospel: Jn 14:1-6

Jesus said to his disciples, "Do not be troubled; trust in God and trust in me. In my Father's house there are many rooms. Otherwise I would not have told you that I go to prepare a place for you. After I have gone and prepared a place for you, I shall come again and take you to me, so that where I am, you also may be. Yet you know the way where I am going."

Thomas said to him, "Lord, we don't know where you are going; how can we know the way?" Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth and the life; no one comes to the Father but through me."

Commentary

The apostles pinned their hopes on Jesus. Now every passing moment made it clearer that his death was inevitable. Sorrow, defeat, and fear overcame their hearts. Jesus lovingly encouraged them to have faith-not faith in themselves so that they might stand on their own after he was gone, nor faith in some turn of tide in their favor. He lifted their spirits up by promising them heaven. Heaven is not a consolation prize for the loser. Neither is it an escape for the unsuccessful nor opium to for those in pain. It is the prize for the courage to live by the truth, the continuation of a life marked by love not by success, the reality of a life without pain for those who are taught by pain that only God is perfect.

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