The Way, Truth and Life

How can we know the way? (John 14:5)

Your brother is going on a business trip, but he won’t say where. “You should know me well enough by now to know where I’m going,” he says. Evidently, it’s not knowledge of geography you need; it’s knowledge of your brother—his ways and his habits.

The night before his death, Jesus tells his disciples that he is going to his “Father’s house.” He says there are plenty of “dwelling places” for them there and, surprisingly, that they already know how to get there (John 14:2).

You can appreciate the disciples’ surprised reaction: “We do not know where you are going; how can we know the way?” (14:5). What the disciples don’t yet understand is that they don’t need a map to reach this destination; they need a person. They need him—his way of living, the truths that he has taught them, and his life poured out in sacrifice for them.

What a revolutionary teaching! Of course Jesus gave us commandments as a way to live, but he also summed up all of them in the two greatest commands: to love God and to love one another. If we can just try to do these two things, everything else will fall into place.

Don’t you find it comforting that you don’t need to adhere to every single direction in order to find your heavenly “dwelling place”? In fact, that dwelling place isn’t far off at all. A little bit after he told his disciples that he was the way, Jesus made another promise: “Whoever loves me will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our dwelling with him” (John 14:23). You are the dwelling place of God—he is already in you! 

This is a great paradox of the Christian life: the more you settle down and spend time with Jesus, the farther you will travel on the road to union with him. The way isn’t a set of prescriptions to follow; it’s a Person to love. And even better still: this Person loves you even more. He wants to dwell with you.

“Jesus, you are my way, my truth, and my life.”

from wau.org

An Invitation

I came into the world as light. (John 12:46)

Let’s imagine Jesus speaking directly to us today.

“My brothers and sisters, I came to earth so that everyone who believes in me may not remain in the darkness. So come! Come into my light!

“Come into my light so that you can see the path you should go. Many of you are facing important decisions right now. You don’t have to make these decisions all on your own. Come into my light so that I can help you find the way. Let me show you my hopes, plans, and dreams for you. So often you wonder: ‘Am I on the right path? Is this what I am supposed to be doing with my life?’ Don’t let yourself be consumed with worry. Come into my light, and I will help you.

“Come into my light, for there you will experience the warmth of my love for you. It is cold outside in the darkness. Come and be warmed by the light of my love. Don’t ask if you are worthy to come. Don’t list all the things you need to fix first. Your coming does not depend on your worthiness. It depends on my mercy, and I have already done all that is necessary for you to come! I have already endured the cross. I have already risen from the grave. I have already ascended to heaven and poured my grace into your heart. So come! Come into my light, and let my love warm your heart.

“Come into my light, for no sin will be able to find you there. My light is pure, holy, and true. So come to the light, and let your sin be exposed so that I can cleanse you for good. You say, “How can I rid myself of this thing that has hobbled me for so long?” But you have not yet felt the relief of seeing years of guilt and shame burned away by my light, so that you can shine forth to the world. So come; come and receive my light, and be cleansed.”

from wau.org

Super joy

They left the presence of the Sanhedrin, rejoicing that they had been found worthy to suffer dishonor for the sake of the name. (Acts 5:41)

It’s easy to imagine superheroes winning battles using their superhuman strength and speed, but can you imagine beating your opponents with superhuman joy?

This is the situation in today’s readings. Members of the Sanhedrin were frustrated by how unstoppable the apostles seemed. They had them thrown in jail, but an angel released them, and they went right back to preaching at the Temple. When they were brought once more before the council, the elders were wringing their hands: how do you stop a group of people who seem genuinely happy, no matter what happens to them? Not even a flogging could defeat their spirits! 

The apostles rejoiced that they could suffer in imitation of their Master, and then they continued preaching—even in the Temple. Again!

Where did this joy come from? And even more to the point, how can we get some of it? Here is a three-step process that may help.

First of all, try your best to be as courageous as the apostles were. As you do, you’ll find the Holy Spirit giving you a new energy and excitement. That’s the beginning of joy.

Second, keep your mission in the forefront of your mind. Even when you’re washing dishes at home or building a spreadsheet at work, remember that you are here to witness to Jesus. The more you keep this perspective, the more you’ll rise above minor distractions and road bumps.

Finally, don’t let hardship get you down. Keep moving forward, remembering that Christ is in you, no matter what happens. Even if fulfilling your mission causes you some suffering, he is still there to give you all that you need to put one foot ahead of the other.

Superhuman joy may seem unattainable, but remember the apostles’ story. You can be just as joyful if you work toward the goal. Flex your “joy muscles” a little more every day so that you can grow stronger and stronger. Before you know it, you’ll be smiling even in the midst of the greatest of challenges!

“Lord, help me find the path to joy. Help me stay focused on you so that I can learn to rejoice in all things.”

from wau.org

Companions

They recognized them as the companions of Jesus. (Acts 4:13) 

In nineteenth-century France, there lived a young widow who was struck by the apostles’ example. It was not what they had done or what they had said but simply that they had walked with Jesus as his companions. This woman, Marie Madeleine d’Houët, went on to found a religious order based on the calling to be a faithful companion of Jesus. The sisters developed a spirituality of being in the Lord’s presence even as they devoted themselves to serving the children and mothers of their war-torn country.

In today’s first reading, we see what must have inspired Marie Madeleine. Peter and John were preaching the gospel with boldness. They had just healed a man who had been unable to walk for thirty-eight years, and everyone who witnessed the miracle was praising God. It was a scene of great excitement, but the thing that caught the attention of the elders and scribes was that these two men were companions of Jesus.

How do you recognize a companion? Well, think about your friends. After spending time together, you begin to share mannerisms and phrases. You are marked by similar experiences, and you share each other’s ups and downs, griefs and joys. Companionship is not so much about what you do as it is about who you become. It’s about how your common experiences change you.

Companionship with Jesus is no different, really. If anything, it’s more involved than a close friendship. Think about it instead in terms of a marriage. Over time, a husband and wife become companions in the deepest possible way. It doesn’t happen right away, but the years spent together make them more and more alike. Many people have even commented on how older married couples actually begin to look like each other!

This is exactly what can happen as we become companions with Jesus. So make it a point to spend time with him, as you would with your spouse or closest friend. Invite him to be with you as you go about your day. Talk to him in your heart. Share your experiences with him. And listen for his response. Never forget that Jesus wants to share his life with you. He wants to be your companion!

“Lord, I want to be your companion; help me walk through every day with you.”

from wau.org

Scars of Love

Look at my hands and my feet. (Luke 24:39)

As the funeral service ends, a young man and his girlfriend walk out of the church. Unexpectedly, he turns to her, gets down on one knee, and asks her to marry him. While it may seem like an unusual setting for a proposal, the man was actually being strategic. “I will love you and care for you for the rest of your life,” he tells her. “I want to be with you until the day of my funeral.”

Is it any less strange—or strategic—that the greatest demonstration of God’s love was the death of his Son? Or think about the way Jesus proved his resurrection to his disciples: by showing them his still-wounded hands and feet and side. Up until that point, the disciples thought they were seeing a ghost. But now came the “big reveal,” the moment when they discovered that by dying he had overcome death. All at once, their sorrow was turned into amazement and joy.

Jesus’ victory looked so different from what the disciples had expected. Instead of arriving with a king’s crown or a huge army, he returned bearing the wounds of a brutal death. Even though he is now risen in glory, his body remains marred. He isn’t just restored to his former state—he is transformed in a way that reflects the price he paid for our salvation. God didn’t just press a reset button. He took Jesus through death into a new and eternal life.

Jesus’ scars are the marks of his love for us—a love unto death. Every day, he invites us to gaze at these wounds and to see in them the proof of his victory. What’s more, he wants to convince us that he can turn our own wounds into marks of triumph. There is no situation too desperate for him to overcome.

Jesus, the scarred and wounded Messiah, has already “proposed” to you. He is already living out his vows to love you and honor you and be true to you all the days of your life. If you ever find yourself doubting, just look at his hands and feet.

from wau.org

minutes of stillness

In your house I shall celebrate the Passover. (Matthew 26:18)

Many people refer to today as Spy Wednesday, an allusion to the day of Judas’ betrayal. But did you know that it’s also called Silent Wednesday? 

This name comes from the fact that the Gospels don’t tell us what Jesus was doing on Wednesday of Holy Week. He was “silent” on that day. Some speculate that after journeying to Jerusalem and spending two exhausting days in disputes with the authorities, Jesus rested on Wednesday with his close friends in Bethany.

If you want to observe this special day, imagine that Jesus is inviting himself over to rest in your house for a bit. Imagine him inviting you to join him in a day of quiet reflection and respite.

It can be so easy for our minds to become overbusied, our bodies overworked, and our calendars overscheduled. But rest is essential because it’s restorative. Rest is also holy because it creates an opening for us to welcome Jesus into our hearts. Imagine yourself sitting with him at your kitchen table, catching up as you would with a friend. Or picture yourself coming home from a busy workday to find him waiting at your front door, eager for you to invite him in for dinner. Even if it means just slipping away for a few minutes of stillness with him, make the most of the opportunity; nothing is as refreshing as spending quiet time with the Lord!

Throughout this season of Lent, you have been journeying with Jesus as he walks toward Calvary. You’re almost there! Tomorrow evening, you will watch as he is arrested and beaten. On Friday, you’ll witness his crucifixion. And on Sunday, you’ll see him gloriously resurrected. But today, Silent Wednesday, is the calm before the storm.

As you read the Gospel for today, listen to Jesus’ voice echoing through the centuries, telling you, “In your house I shall celebrate the Passover” (Matthew 26:18). Jesus has chosen to spend today with you. Your schedule may not be silent today, but you can still find a special way to rest with him and prepare yourself—body, soul, and spirit—for the great celebrations that will start tomorrow evening.

“Jesus, help me to find some quiet time today. Come, Lord, and prepare me for what you have in store this week.”

from wau.org

A new outlook

Abraham your father rejoiced to see my day. (John 8:56)

There is a scene in The Wizard of Oz where Dorothy’s dog, Toto, pulls back a curtain to show that the terrifying wizard really is a pleasant, rosy-cheeked old man. Mounting tension goes away after his identity—and his goodness—is revealed.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus tells the Jews gathered in the Temple that their forefather Abraham had a special gift for seeing “beyond the curtain.” Where everyone else thought God was punishing and fearsome, Abraham discovered how loving and trustworthy he was. 

This close relationship between God and Abraham came about as God revealed himself to him and walked with him on the journey to the Promised Land. He blessed Abraham with a long-desired child, and he made a covenant, promising Abraham many descendants. And so, Jesus says, Abraham rejoiced, literally, he “exulted with joy,” that he might see the day of the Lord. 

Because of all the other promises God had fulfilled, Abraham expected to see God’s promise of salvation come about. As Jesus describes it, Abraham’s faith was equivalent to sight: “Abraham your father rejoiced to see my day” (John 8:56). In other words, he experienced the joy of Jesus’ coming before it took place in time. 

You might think it was easy for Abraham to have faith because he had experienced prosperity on earth. But remember that his wife, Sarah, was infertile for many decades before they had a child. And although Abraham was promised many descendants, he didn’t live to meet most of them. He could have despaired, but his faith changed his outlook.

Not all of your prayers have been answered yet either. But God’s salvation has come to you through Jesus. You can live with an outlook of faith just like Abraham, knowing that God will be victorious. This is not a happy delusion or a coping mechanism. It is meant to be the foundation for your whole life. Today, think about specific ways that God has loved you. Let this awareness enkindle a greater desire in you to see God’s kingdom come. Your expectant faith will help you see beyond even the most difficult challenges, just as it helped Abraham.

“Lord, give me eyes to see your glory breaking through.”

from wau.org