RBWords

     With today's gospel scripture, we will enter a long series of gospel passages that will be taken from what is called "the Farewell Discourse,' because it is set by the evangelist at the Last Supper. Scripture scholars warn us that there is no one logical way to organize the material which begins in Chapter 13 and goes all the way to the end of Chapter 17.  The evangelist seems to have included different "blocks" of tradition and placed them side by side with minimal connections if any.   There are some distinct themes and these will form the basis of my preaching over the next few days.  Those familiar with Mussorsky's classic composition, PICTURES AT AN EXHIBITION, will have an analogy for understanding the whole thing.

 

    The Farewell Discourse may be described cautiously as a preparation course for the disciples on how to interpret Jesus' death and resurrection.  Of course, since this gospel was written several decades after those events, the "course" is meant for subsequent disciples, including US!  In today's passage, Jesus begins with telling the disciples that he will be leaving them to return to the Father.  A major theme of the entire Gospel of John is the "coming" and "returning" of Jesus in regard to his Father.  The disciples are confused, as indicated by Thomas' question, but this too is a common device in the gospel.  Thomas thinks Jesus is talking about a geographic "way," but Jesus is speaking of HIMSELF as the "way."  Indeed, this word would come to be a favorite description of Christianity -The Way!  Unfortunately, some Christians would interpret this in a manner calculated to exclude whole classes and populations of people who had or have no direct knowledge of Jesus.  These Christians seem to think the "many dwelling places" are only for Christians!  This is not the teaching of our own Catholic tradition. 

 

     Jesus is indeed the "way," but we Christians are not the ones who make the decision about how the Spirit will enlighten others about Jesus.  Today's gospel simply reminds us that our faith in Jesus must be strong and that his death and resurrection are part of his mission in coming forth and returning to his Father.  Tomorrow we will move on to the next picture at the exhibition!   AMEN