Reflections on the readings for the Fifth Sunday of Easter (May 10, 2020): Acts 6:1-7; PS 33:1-2,4-5,18-19; 1PT 2:4-9; JN 14:1-12
MISSIO offers “Preaching Mission,” as a homily help, providing connections to mission from the readings of Sundays, Feast Days and Holy Days.
Today’s reading comes from the Final Discourse in the Gospel according to St. John...
It is not uncommon in the Gospels to hear Jesus tell people not to be afraid. He felt the need to reassure His disciples and everyone who heard Him preach the Good News or to cure the sick or perform other miracles. All He said and did was extraordinary. His life and ministry showed love, mercy and goodness in ways that people could never have known. Today’s reading comes from the Final Discourse in the Gospel according to St. John. At the Last Supper, Jesus tries to prepare His closest followers for His passion and death, which will take place in a matter of hours, so He make a particular point of comforting them. “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” (John 14:1-3).
From the questions that the Apostles ask Him, it’s clear that they still do not realize who Jesus is or appreciate what He has tried to teach them about His sacrifice. The whole divine plan for the salvation of the world seems almost as incomprehensible to them as it has throughout His ministry. But we have the gift of hearing these words two thousand years after Jesus shared His last meal with the Apostles. Had we been there, no doubt we, too, would have found His message perplexing. How could they – or we – grasp the ultimate act of obedience to His Father that would take our Lord to the cross in order to wipe out the disobedience of Adam and Eve? Yet, however slow and imperfect and very human the faith of Jesus’ disciples then and now, it will bring us at last to the dwelling place He has prepared for us. We need to commit ourselves to expressing our faith each day because we are on a lifetime journey that leads to our heavenly home.