Friday of the Fourth Week of Easter
(Acts 13:26-33; John 14:1-6)
The Philippines will long remember Douglas MacArthur for the words he spoke at his forced departure from the country at the beginning of World War II. He promised the people, “I shall return,” and he did. No doubt, some Filipinos joined the resistance to the Japanese invaders on the strength of MacArthur’s promise. In the gospel today Jesus means to instill such confidence with a similar promise.
The passage is taken from the beginning of the second half of John’s gospel, the so-called Book of Glory. Jesus is making a farewell speech. He assures his disciples that he is not abandoning them but will be back. Thomas, like a child who cannot tolerate his parents leaving home, worries that something may happen. Jesus consoles him that all will be well because he is “the way and the truth and the life.” That is, Jesus is himself the way that leads to the Father because he is the only true image of the Father bestowing the Father’s life.
We sometimes find ourselves in bleak situations. Perhaps we face job termination, mortgage foreclosure, or an iffy diagnosis. We wonder if we will be all right. Jesus tells us, just as he assures Thomas, not to fret. He will return to assist us for he has established un in his Father’s family.
Showing posts with label Douglas MacArthur. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Douglas MacArthur. Show all posts
Homilette for Friday, May 8, 2009
Friday of the Fourth Week of Easter
(Acts 13:26-33; John 14:1-6)
The Philippines will remember Douglas MacArthur for the words he spoke at his forced departure from the country at the beginning of World War II. He promised the people, “I shall return,” and he did. No doubt, some Filipinos joined the resistance to the Japanese invaders on the strength of MacArthur’s promise. In the gospel today Jesus means to instill such confidence in his disciples with a similar promise.
The passage is taken from the beginning of the second part of John’s gospel, the so-called Book of Glory. Jesus is making a farewell speech to his disciples among whom we should see ourselves. He does not want us to think that he is leaving us behind. Rather, he wants us to trust in him. “Why?” we may ask with the same uncertainty as Thomas displays in the passage. He answers, because “I am the way and the truth and the life.” Jesus is the way that leads to God. He speaks the truth which shows us the way. And he conveys life in the Eucharist which provides us strength on the journey.
We sometimes find ourselves in bleak situations. Perhaps we face job termination, mortgage foreclosure, or an iffy diagnosis. We must not cower but be confident. Jesus sublimely demonstrates this trust on the cross. In John’s account of the crucifixion, Jesus is not perturbed in the least. He has completed the mission of his Father by his submission to death. Now he returns to Him in glory. We can and should face our trials by similarly trusting God.
(Acts 13:26-33; John 14:1-6)
The Philippines will remember Douglas MacArthur for the words he spoke at his forced departure from the country at the beginning of World War II. He promised the people, “I shall return,” and he did. No doubt, some Filipinos joined the resistance to the Japanese invaders on the strength of MacArthur’s promise. In the gospel today Jesus means to instill such confidence in his disciples with a similar promise.
The passage is taken from the beginning of the second part of John’s gospel, the so-called Book of Glory. Jesus is making a farewell speech to his disciples among whom we should see ourselves. He does not want us to think that he is leaving us behind. Rather, he wants us to trust in him. “Why?” we may ask with the same uncertainty as Thomas displays in the passage. He answers, because “I am the way and the truth and the life.” Jesus is the way that leads to God. He speaks the truth which shows us the way. And he conveys life in the Eucharist which provides us strength on the journey.
We sometimes find ourselves in bleak situations. Perhaps we face job termination, mortgage foreclosure, or an iffy diagnosis. We must not cower but be confident. Jesus sublimely demonstrates this trust on the cross. In John’s account of the crucifixion, Jesus is not perturbed in the least. He has completed the mission of his Father by his submission to death. Now he returns to Him in glory. We can and should face our trials by similarly trusting God.
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