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