Word to the Wise
Friday, May 16, 2025 - 4th Week of Easter - Fri
[Acts 13:26-33 and John 14:1-6]"Do not let your hearts be troubled. You have faith in God; have faith also in me. In my Father's house there are many dwelling places. If there were not, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back again and take you to myself, so that where I am you also may be. Where I am going you know the way." Thomas said to him, "Master, we do not know where you are going; how can we know the way?" Jesus said to him, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." [John]
One of the earliest names for Christianity was "The Way!" Jesus refers to himself in today's gospel passage, taken from the Last Supper Discourse, as "the way and the truth and the life." These are not abstractions. They are a person - Jesus Christ. This makes Pilate's famous question so ironic - "What is truth?" The truth was standing in front of him. The truth is "I AM!"
It is worth noting the first lines about the many dwelling places in the Father's house. For some, only an explicit faith in Jesus will allow anyone to dwell in the Father's house. This would eliminate much of the human race since the beginning of time! Jesus made it possible for everyone to have a place in the Father's house as long as they do not live a life of contradiction to God. And God alone will determine their residency. Jesus offers life eternal in many ways. In ordinary life, we often benefit from things that other people do that we are unaware of and yet do not reject. This would be true of many who have never heard of Jesus but will benefit from his coming and the presence of the Holy Spirit in mysterious ways in their lives. One may walk worthily in the "way" and not be aware of it! For those who do know Jesus is the "way and the truth and the life," the challenge to worthiness is all the greater. And our faith and gratitude and lives must show this. AMEN