In our first reading today we see a continuation of St. Paul's journey among the Jewish people – his own people – fellow members of the family in faith of Abraham – and all others who are God fearing. Paul is trying his best to convince them that Jesus of Nazareth is truly the long-awaited Messiah of their people – and that in him all of the prophecies have been fulfilled – especially about his death and resurrection.
Jesus did what he came to do – he kept his Father's promise to show mercy to his people – to forgive their sins – and to raise them up on the Last Day.
Jesus is Son of God, Most High. And we who are baptized are also sons and daughters of God through Jesus: Lord, Messiah and Savior.
In the gospel passage Jesus tells his disciples to not let their hearts be troubled at any of the events that they see being fulfilled in him. He commends them on their faith in his Father; and he asks for faith in himself as well. And he assures them that when he departs from them he will be doing so to prepare a place in heaven, in his Father's Kingdom for them: so that at the end of their individual journeys through life – they will have a place awaiting them. He tells them that they know how to reach him at the end of the line.
To this they reply: We don't know where you are going! How can we know the way!
To which Jesus replies – probably in a kind of exasperated tone – "After all this time that I have been with you – you still do not truly understand me: I AM THE WAY, THE TRUTH ABOUT THE WAY, AND THE LIFE ABOUT THE TRUTH!
The Father wants you – his adopted children with him in his Kingdom – but you can't get there except through me – except by believing in me – except by living the way of life that I have proposed to you and empowered you to live.
We too are God's sons and daughters! Let us go through Jesus to get to the Father – let us believe – let us live forever in our Father's house!
No comments:
Post a Comment