Dear Friend,
The Gospel was a part of the farewell discourse of Jesus to His disciples. Jesus had earlier introduced Himself as the Good Shepherd. Read John 14:1-12 and find out what were the final words of Jesus as the Good Shepherd to His Flock. He could be summarizing the teachings He gave them in the last three years they were together.
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"Do not let your hearts be troubled." Jesus had told His disciples that He would be handed over to the Gentiles and He would be mocked and insulted and spat upon; and after they have scourged Him they would kill Him, but on the third day he would rise. Jesus knew that His disciples did not understand this but also knew that their hearts would be troubled.
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"You have faith in God; have faith also in me." Throughout their stay together, Jesus had been exhorting His disciples to have faith in God and in Him. They may not understand God’s will but what would happen was to be an opportunity for them to exercise their trust in God and in Him.
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"In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places." This was a reminder of the ultimate destination of the Flock - the Father’s house. This is a significant teaching of Jesus that the true nature of the Flock is a FAMILY -- the Family of God.
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"If there were not, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you?" Each member would be welcomed and have a place in the Father’s house - an assurance of belonging.
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"I will come back again and take you to myself, so that where I am you also may be." Jesus as the Good Shepherd would lead the Flock to the Father’s house. This Good Shepherd is also a brother to the Flock in the same household.
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"I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." There is no other way to the Father’s house except Jesus. Others would mislead and deceive. Jesus is the truth because He and the Father are ONE. And Jesus comes not just to give life but life more abundantly (John 10:10).
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"If you know me, then you will also know my Father." Jesus is the word of the Father. He was sent to the world so that the world will know the Father’s love that the world failed to grasp since the time of Adam and Eve.
Jesus continued to be the Good Shepherd to the Flock "until the end of age" in the Holy Spirit.
Meditation ~
I should learn to recognize the voice (read the numerous signs He gives me) to follow Him.
Jesus is the way - it is passion and death. Knowing this, my heart is troubled but Jesus assures me that He will lead the way to the Father’s house where I truly belong as a member of the Father’s family.
Jesus is teaching this to me so that I too can be a shepherd to my family, helping each one to the way to the Father’s house.
How can I show my untroubled heart to my family as I sacrifice, and instead give life to others?
Contemplation ~
Request the family to respond to the presence of Jesus. Let each one find a place where one may contemplate in silence in His presence. Just request them to imagine themselves listening to His voice saying,
"Do not let your hearts be troubled. You have faith in God; have faith also in me."
Let His faith grow in you.
Joe & Charito
THE CATHOLIC ARCHDIOCESE OF MANILA'S
ONLINE RESOURCE FOR FAMILY MINISTRIES
www.simbahayan.org
servants@simbahayan.org
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