Friday of the Fourth Week of Easter

Readings for Friday of the Fourth Week of Easter[1][2]
Readings from the Jerusalem Bible

Commentary:

Reading 1 Acts 13:26-33

In the passage from Acts today we find Paul on his first missionary journey to Asia. He is speaking to a mixed crowd of Jews and Gentiles, explaining that Jesus came to fulfill what was written in the Hebrew Scriptures. He concludes his discourse with a quote from Psalm 2 which is used as our psalm response.

Responsorial Psalm Psalm 2:6-7, 8-9, 10-11ab

R. You are my Son; this day I have begotten you.

Psalm 2 is a “royal psalm”. The proclamation of adoption is set in legal terms of the day to establish the relationship between people and God. We hear in this language the baptismal adoption we received, making us God’s children and favored above all creation.

Gospel John 14:1-6

This dialogue with the disciples is taking place at the Last Supper. Jesus has already responded to Peter and now Thomas chimes in with; “Master, we do not know where you are going; how can we know the way?” To which Jesus responds with a phrase known to all Christians “I am the way and the truth and the life.” He ends with another phrase that has been used and twisted throughout the history of Christianity; “No one comes to the Father except through me.”

Reflection:

During the Easter season especially the Story of Jesus gets kind of inverted as we are given stories from the Acts of the Apostles which followed his death and resurrection followed by the Gospel which proceeded that event. Today we hear St. Paul taking the Word, the Good News, into the world. He tells the story once more, again reaching into his scholarly training to link the prophetic literature in the Hebrew scriptures to the events that culminated in the Lord’s passion and death.

Against this broad picture of Christ’s mission, painted so eloquently with St. Paul’s words, we have an important event in Christ’s ministry pulled out in sharp relief. We are transported to the Lord’s Supper - that final meeting with his disciples in the upper room. Jesus is trying to reassure them that what is about to happen, even though it will end in his death, is not the end of their time together. Indeed, it is only the beginning.

Jesus tells them that in the heavenly kingdom there is a place for them, he is going on ahead of them to make it ready. The promise of eternal life with Christ is once again reiterated; “… that where I am you also may be.” If we believe that Jesus is the Christ, as he told us, we must, per force, believe that our place in the kingdom where he has been for all time, is our destination as well.

Today I am in my father’s home in Midland, Michigan. I am waiting with my brother and sisters for my mother, Esther, to pass from this life to the next. I am struck by how difficult it is for those of us who keep that vigil to be at peace in our faith in the resurrection and how at peace my mother is as she rapidly wings her way home to that promised dwelling.

We share St. Thomas feeling of impending loss and his almost childlike doubt; “Master, we do not know where you are going; how can we know the way?” Then comes into this time of testing “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” Hearing these words, his promise, we are reassured and know, beyond doubt that we will be reunited one day. We pray today for all who are called home to the Father and for those who mourn - may this reminder of his great love for us sustain them in their time of pain.

Pax

Please pray for Esther, she is hearing God’s voice calling her home.

[1] After Links to Readings Expire
[2] The picture used today is “Christ Glorified in the Court of Heaven” by Fra Angelico, 1428-30