THE WORD
Ac 13,26-33 / Jn 14,1-6
Jesus said to his disciples, “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You have faith in God; have faith also in me. In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If there were not, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back again and take you to myself, so that where I am you also may be. Where I am going you know the way.” Thomas said to him, “Master, we do not know where you are going; how can we know the way?” Jesus said to him, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
IN OTHER WORDS
An experience that is familiar to most of us is “being brought” and “being met.” When we go to the airport, especially to travel abroad, we seldom go alone. Someone nearly always brings us there or accompanies us. Upon arrival we like to be met by loved ones. The Filipino language describes this experience much better than English with the two simple words hatid/sundo. These words carry a lot of meaning because the experience they describe is so much a part of Filipino culture Even though it defies practical logic large numbers of family members and friends will still insist on going to the airport to send off or meet their loved one, no matter how inconvenient.
In our Gospel reading the words of Jesus truly capture the emotions of the hatid/sundo experience with the undertones of sadness and anticipated joy. It is no surprise that this reading is so often used for funeral Masses. We sense the inclusive love of Jesus as he goes to prepare a place for us. And this is for absolutely everybody. There is no crowding in heaven, salvation is for all. The idea of Jesus meeting us to accompany us to the place prepared is very encouraging and a great consolation for those who must let their ones go at death. May we indeed be ready at that crucial moment when Jesus awaits our arrival.
Jesus also does what we cannot do when we see off our departing loved ones at the airport.
We must go home again but Jesus goes with us on the journey. He is our way who keeps us from traveling in wrong directions that lead to darkness and death. In other words, the one who believes in Jesus is invited to share in eternal life even now.
As I write this I have just heard of the death of a dear friend. Although still young, I believe he was truly ready to take the hand of Jesus who was waiting for him. I am praying for Jun’s wife Molly and daughter Patricia as they continue their journey with Jesus, their way, truth and life. Jesus cannot take away the pain of departure but he gives us the consoling joy of knowing that our departed one is safe with him.
- Fr. John O’Mahony, SVD | DWST, Tagaytay City
The Word in other words 2016
An annual project of Logos Publications, The WORD in Other Words Bible Diary contains daily scripture readings and reflections written by priest, brothers, and sisters of the three congregations founded by St. Arnold Janssen (the SVD, SSpS, and SSpSAP). It hopes to serve as a daily companion to readers who continually seek the correlation of the Word of God and human experience.
