The Nazareth Page - A gospel meditation for your home
May 10, 2020 – Fifth Sunday of Easter - John 14:1-12
REFLECTION QUESTIONS:
Download this simple process to Prepare for Sunday using the Observe, Judge, Act Method.
Over the years, many books have been published summarizing “the greatest” of this or that. Like “Greatest short stories” or “Greatest sayings” or “Greatest poems.” And now with the sports world mostly shut down, we are offered on TV “Greatest Super Bowls” or “Greatest fights of the century” or “Greatest blunders in baseball.” Since we are so limited now, it’s good to be able to see the greatest of something.
If we were to list “the Greatest sayings of Jesus,” a passage from this Sunday’s gospel would likely qualify. It is this: “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you know me, you will also know the Father.”
Are there more important words in the New Testament? Of course, there are many gospel passages that are worth our serious consideration. But none are greater that this one. It is definitely worth our effort to think about these words of Jesus. And to assist us in this task, perhaps it might be helpful to restate the first sentence this way: I am the way to the truth of your life.
One of the greatest spiritual books ever written was called The Imitation of Christ. And while the saints are given to us as guides for our lives, Jesus is the primary example of a life well-lived, a holy life. Jesus offers us the best example of how to live. Not only by his words, but even more importantly, by his example.
He lived the truth of what it meant to be fully human and fully alive. And to live as God desired us to live our lives. For instance, Jesus accepted others in all their uniqueness, especially those who were dismissed or side-lined by society. He reached out to anyone suffering or in need. There was no limit to his generosity, his willingness to help, his concern for everyone. He once said in the same gospel that the greatest love is when one gives her or his life for another. As did he.
We are now passing through perhaps some of the most challenging times of our lives. Many have given exceptional service to the victims of the Covid-19 pandemic. Many have put their own lives in jeopardy to help others survive. While it is rarely mentioned, I do so here. They are living the truth of the way that Jesus called all of us to do.
©David M. Thomas, PhD