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Gospel: John 14: 1-6
Jesus said to his disciples:
“Do not let your hearts be troubled.
You have faith in God; have faith also in me.
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 I am going you know the way.”
Thomas said to him,
“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.”
The Gospel of the Lord.
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Today’s Gospel passage comes from part of Jesus’ Last Supper discourse as he begins revealing to his disciples that this will be his final night on earth.
Their faith will be shaken. Their world will be turned upside down. Their Lord will be taken from their midst, and placed in a tomb.
Yet he tells them, “Do not let your hearts be troubled.”
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To be troubled meant, “to be overwhelmed by the fear of death or some other grave evil.”
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Although dark hours are ahead, the Lord urges his friends not to be shaken; rather, to trust in God and thus, to be at peace. Jesus is stronger than death.
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What troubles my heart? What makes me feel overwhelmed?
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In those moments, turn to the Lord, who whispers gently, “You have faith in God. Have faith also in me.”
Have faith in the promise of his comfort; have faith in his victory over death; have faith in God’s Spirit dwelling with you.
As Saint Paul once wrote, “No trial has come to you but what is human. God is faithful and will not let you be tried beyond your strength; but with the trial he will also provide a way out, so that you may be able to bear it.”
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Although life may be difficult at times, we are not to be troubled. Christ has overcome the world.
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Image credits: (1) United Faith Church (2) The Last Supper, DaVinci (3) The Word Among Us