In the Gospel reading today, we’re in John 14, at the Last Supper. Jesus tells the Apostles, “Where I am going, you know the way.” Confused, Thomas says, “Master, we do not know where you are going; how can we know the way?” Jesus replies, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
Jesus’ opening words in today’s Gospel reading set the tone. Picture it: the Last Supper. Their worlds are about to be turned inside out. The Master is about to endure unspeakable horror. They will flee in fear. All of this is unbeknownst to them. So Jesus says, “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You have faith in God; have faith also in me.” I wonder if these words rang in the ears as their world was falling apart. Do they ring in our ears?
Times are tough for so many. If we allow it, it can be very easy for our hearts to be troubled. Like the Apostles, our worlds can come crashing down in an instant. Our faith is tested. Do we really believe that Jesus knows what is best for us? Can He actually bring good out of tragedy? Do we trust Him enough to not let our hearts be troubled? Truly, this is a daunting task. But it is not impossible. In fact, it is a proportional relationship: the more we have faith in Jesus, the less troubled our hearts will be.
Father, you know how easily our faith wavers, our trust falters. Increase our faith. Increase our trust in Jesus so that our hearts may not be troubled, but filled with joy. Amen.
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