John 14:1-12 is the beginning of Jesus' Last Supper Discourses. Here, Jesus tries to console the disciples who have begun to grieve because of his impending departure. In this first part, he is still just beginning to describe what will happen to his disciples when he is no longer visibly present. Read the article "I Shall Return"
1. Jesus' return in the last day to receive to himself his disciples is the hope that keeps the Church alive. Yet we also know that Jesus is the true "manna" that comes down from heaven and He who walks in the midst of the Churches (symbolized by the lampstands in Rev. 1:13.20).
Reflect. Jesus, the Risen One, is still present among us as "the one who comes". He is present among the disciples gathered "on the first day of the week" (Jn. 20:19ff) and he continues to walk with them, opening their minds to the Scriptures and breaking bread with them (Luke 24:13-35) in the Eucharist. How do you make the Eucharist your opportunity for "knowing" the Lord?
2. Jesus continues to tell his disciples what he had been telling the Jews: that he is one with the Father. You have heard Thomas confess him as "My Lord and My God" (2nd Sunday of Easter). Jesus' words and deeds are God's words and deeds.
Reflect. The Plenary Council of the Philippines declared that for the Filipino nation to be truly maka-Diyos and maka-tao, Filipino Christians should keep before their minds the words and deeds of Jesus. This is so that they can truly become agents of renewal in their society. To keep the words and deeds of Jesus "before one's mind" constantly means two things: to re-present his life, death and resurrection in the Eucharist, and to listen to the Word of God.
How much time do you set aside for keeping before your mind the words and deeds of Jesus?
3. In his dialogues with the Jews, one notices that it matters to Jesus that people believe that "the Father is in him, and he in the Father." He also expects his disciples to see him that way. For Jews "the Father" was the God who revealed Himself to Moses (cf. Isa. 64:8, Jn. 5:18). Thomas, confessing Jesus and speaking for the rest of the disciples, declares him "My Lord and My God".
Reflect. There are those who would either deny the existence of God (atheists) or would not accept that He has anything to do with ordinary human existence (agnostics). And yet there are many who consider themselves "seekers of Truth", people who try out different religions to quench their thirst for the Divine.
Jesus declares Himself "The Way, the Truth and the Life." What does this say to you? How would you help others understand and even experience the truth of that statement?
