The Gospel according to John (John 14:1-6)
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.”
Opening Prayer: Help me open my spiritual eyes to see what you have prepared for me in heaven.
Encountering Christ: Do we REALLY know the way? Do we really take the time to look at and read our own personal roadmap (through prayer) to find our way through the thick and thin of life? OR do we only rely on Jesus when we need something.
Before we go on today – take some time to just sit and think about how often we ask RATHER than thank! You might even want to make a list with two columns on it. One for – What we ask God for AND What are we thankful for that that God has given to us.
When I talk about being thankful I’m talking about when we ask God for something and that prayer is answered – for example…. “Thank you God for giving me that new position within the company” OR “Thank you God for the new car.” Those are answered prayers true enough, but do we take time to reflect on being thankful for what is simply around us each day? The things we take for granted, like the gift of another day of life or maybe we could thank God for bringing us to a friend that really needs someone to talk with.
Jesus told his disciples – and that includes us! – Have faith in the Father and in Me. He was giving the instruction to follow the Father by simply following himself. We only have to see Jesus and follow his lead. He left a great roadmap to salvation. It has a lot of options for various scenic routes through life – but He didn’t include detours – that was not an option! (No taking a shortcut around our faith).
Jesus also calls us to think and dream about the mansion that is awaiting us back home in heaven. From the very beginning of our existence, that place was prepared for us. It is almost as if the bed is made and the coffee is on just waiting for us to return home. Liken it to going on a trip and when you finally come home how good that feels.
The other AMAZING part of this gospel is that Jesus even goes so far as to tell us that when the Father calls us home after our mission here on earth is finished, He is even going to bring us home himself. WOW!!!
Thomas totally missed the point. It was as if he was sleeping in class most of the time when Jesus was trying to teach all the Apostles. So thankfully Jesus laid it all out very succinctly for him and us. If we realize and live each day with Jesus in us and about us, then we will have known the Father through our following Jesus’ way and teachings. Simple! – BUT – often times very hard to do.
We are told in today’s gospel about what is in store for us when we follow the basic principles and guidelines that Jesus taught. He emphasized the Commandments and he stressed to “Love one another as I have loved you.” We can do it and today is the start of something great in our lives IF we will simply tune into God’s channel and listen to Him. God has a different type of Podcast…. It’s quiet – not much talking. You have to spend time listening in prayer and much of that time is simply waiting to listen for inspiration or instruction!
Closing Prayer: Jesus, in spite of the difficulties of this life, I can’t lose sight of the fact that it is all worthwhile. What you have prepared for me is so wonderful that in spite of my trying to imagine every detail, I will never come close to knowing how great it will actually be. When I am discouraged or down, remind me that my sacrifices and suffering are worth it because I want to spend eternity with you in the mansion you have prepared for me in heaven!
Action for the Day: Sit for five minutes and calm your brain! Say nothing…just sit there and wait for God. He might expect you to wait longer. If you don’t hear anything in that five minutes – try it again later at another time. Try and deprogram yourself from asking and retrain yourself to listen for instruction and the MESSAGE!
DEACON5 