May 14, 2017: Fifth Sunday of Easter

Jesus said to his disciples:
“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.
If you know me, then you will also know my Father.
From now on you do know him and have seen him.”
Philip said to him, “Master, show us the Father, and that will be enough for us.”
Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you for so long a time and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on my own. The Father who dwells in me is doing his works.
Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else, believe because of the works themselves.
Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever believes in me will do the works that I do, and will do greater ones than these, because I am going to the Father.” (John 14:1-12)

Reflection

The poor befuddled disciples. Jesus is getting them ready for his leave-taking, describing the place he is preparing and assuring them that they know the way. Thomas is trying to follow the conversation but is confused and a little frustrated: “We don’t even know where you are going, so how could we possibly know the way there?” And Philip would be satisfied if Jesus would just “show us the Father.” You can almost hear Jesus sighing as he explains again and pleads with them to believe in him. And then the treasured words: “I am the way and the truth and the life … am in the Father and the Father in me.”

Action

When I struggle, wondering where I’m heading, wondering where this crazy world is heading, Jesus reassures. You have not lost your way. I am the way. Follow me and you will never be lost. The Father and I are one.

This week, I will let these words of Jesus seep into my heart and mind. I ask for deepening faith in his words and in his works.