Jn 14:1-10 Troubled Hearts Part II

Jn 14:1-10 Troubled Hearts Part II
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It seems as though the Church wishes to emphasize this reading. Within a week we have read this passage twice, and so Church gives us another opportunity to reflect upon it.

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You have faith in God; have faith in me.”
Recently I read an article entitled, “Things I would do differently” ...or something like that. It must have been written for those who are experiencing a mid-life crisis. The list included: Love who you are, Have more fun, Character really counts, Awkwardness fades, Memories fade too, Think of your career, Don’t rush, Tune out the haters.

How different the Lord is when it comes to advice! On the night he was betrayed, he gave his Apostles the best advice ever: Do not let your hearts be troubled. I am with you. I will always be with you. I will never abandon you. There is nothing to fear; nothing that is outside of my power.

The stone rejected as become the cornerstone. I believe what brings us to a mid-life crisis is when we begin to examine our past. That is, when we finally come to terms with what we did long ago. How we threw Jesus away! You know, when we thought we could live our lives without Him? Maybe that moment was after confirmation or after a dance or prom? Maybe it was during our Senior year - in celebration of our all-important graduation? The list of all the "Things I could do differently" will never be complete if I do not include allowing the Lord to be the cornerstone of my life.

Christ invites his disciples to abandon themselves to God’s providence, to follow Him more closely, to change directions, to change our route, our path.

As I mentioned before, what makes a great story is its ending, a surprise ending, an ending different from the beginning. So instead of an eye for an eye, or tooth for a tooth, the Lord invites us to not get stressed when others are stressed; to trust when in doubt, to not cuss when cussed at and to not bully when bullied! This is the beginning of a new ending!

Temptations, when defeated, are a great opportunity to show who is first in our life. Temptation won leads to God’s glory! Temptations are not an invitation to get further away from the Lord but to do things differently – the right way! It is an invitation to change our lives and the story of our lives!

Be patient for the Lord is patient. Thomas said, “Master, we do not know where you are going; how can we know the way?” The Lord’s response is one of patience. He understands that this is a teaching moment. If Thomas had not asked this question, we would never be in possession of one of the most beautiful verses in the Bible: “I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you know me, you will also know my Father. From now on you do know him and have seen him.”

“Beloved: Come to him, a living stone, rejected by human beings but chosen and precious in the sight of God, and, like living stones, let yourselves be built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.” (1 Peter 2:4)

Heavenly Father, you gave the world your heart, the heart of your Son Jesus Christ, to fill our hearts with his peace. Grant us the strength and courage to follow in your son's footsteps, to end the world of boredom and to give it the joy and peace it seeks. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.