[ Today's Readings ]
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 are you going, Jesus? Is it a place of fluffy clouds or pearly gates? There may be a sense to those images. But more than that, you are going to a place on the far side of death. It is a place which is not prepared before your cross and resurrection but only after.
But God raised him from the dead,
and for many days he appeared to those
who had come up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem.
That is how you can say, "Where I am going you know the way."
Even though we've never been there this is true. Even though we may not fully appreciate what it means to take up our cross and follow you we still know the way.
The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, “Follow me.” (see John 1:43).
We don't have a map memorized. Instead, we follow someone who knows the way and who won't leave us behind.
“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.”
This is a good thing to remember when we feel lost. LORD, when we don't know the next step to take let us look to you. You lead us and guide us to the place you prepare for us. Even though we may pass through dark valleys we need not fear with you at our side with your rod and your staff to comfort us.
Ask of me and I will give you
the nations for an inheritance
and the ends of the earth for your possession.
You guide us to our inheritance. It is the homeland of the blessed where the children of the Father dwell in endless peace. It does involve usually involve death. Even if you come again in glory first it involves dying to ourselves. But the destination is the life of the resurrection. Renewed in body and soul we are united with you forever. You wipe away every tear from our eyes.
He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away (see Revelation 21:4).
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