I am the Way, the Truth and the Life

I am the Way, the Truth and the Life

By REV. FR. SAMUEL FREDERICK

Acts 13:26-33, Jn 14:1-6. In today's first reading, Paul roamed through the Hebrew Scriptures, beginning with the patriarchs to Moses and ending with John the Baptist preparing the way for Jesus. In this second half of this Synagogue sermon, Paul speaks directly to the situation of his hearers. He turns from the written word to the message spoken by the living God. The whole Scriptures, he says, leads up to Jesus, who gives each event its full meaning. Paul moves from the parchment to the person, calling us to move on from formal doctrine and have personal experience of Jesus. We must move beyond the creed to refresh our personal encounter with the Lord who speaks to our hearts. We are also on “the way” even when sin or misfortune makes us desolate. Even in times of turmoil and struggle, we are still “on the way,” with Jesus. Just as there are many mansions in the Father’s house, so the ways that lead to those mansions are many and varied.

In today's Gospel, Jesus tells His disciples that though He is leaving them, He is really going back to God from whom He came. He promises that we will also make the journey after Him. He will return to take us with Him into the Father’s house for which we are destined. Jesus came among us to show the way to the Father. His whole purpose was to bring God to us and take us to God. The many rooms in the Father’s house indicate a place of universal hospitality. Heaven is not an elite place for a selected few, but an open space for the many, just as Jesus did not come for the sake of the just, but for sinners. He is the 'Way' to the Father for all who follow Him. He promised that, when lifted up from the earth, He would draw all people to Himself. If we follow Him as our 'Way' in this life, we will in the end come to live with Him in the Father’s house.

May the Lord help us to bring hope to those who are despair and bring genuine faith in us that we may truly proclaim God’s glory through our everyday lives and actions! Amen!! Be safe and have a pleasant day!!!

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