Fr Paul reads from the Gospel of John (14: 1-6) in which Jesus says, ‘Do not let your hearts be troubled; trust in God still and trust in me’.
Fr Paul says this Gospel reading today comes from the beginning of Jesus’ talk after the Last Supper. In reality, he says, it is a speech being given by a departing leader who is preparing his followers to carry on his mission after he is gone. Jesus is about to go to the Garden of Olives, and he instructs his disciples to continue his work and promises the presence of the Holy Spirit to accompany them. Fr Paul says, it is comforting to re-read these words as we approach the coming of the Spirit at Pentecost. The reading begins with a firm demand for faith in Jesus, which is the same as belief in the Father, to have a confidence that we can leave everything in the hands of Jesus. As usual, a disciple, this time it is Thomas, fails to understand as they try to avoid the challenge of continuing this mission as we ourselves do, again and again. Jesus replies with the great statement, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life’. Mindful of today’s Gospel, Fr Paul says, during our reflection we might ask ourselves, ‘Can I accept the challenge of discipleship that Jesus is challenging us with?’
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