Daily Scripture Reflection & Prayer: April 26, 2024

Date: Friday of the 4th Week of Easter  

 Scripture Text:  John 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.”

Breaking the text open – background and summary:

The gospel text for today, from Jesus’ “Final Discourse with the Disciples” as recounted in the Gospel of John reminds us of Jesus’ promises for eternal life in abundance. In today’s pericope, Jesus speaks to the disciples about our life “in my Father’s house” and how He will prepare a place for us. He assures the disciples that they know “the way.” But Thomas, unable to grasp all that Jesus is saying, challenges Jesus’ words: “Master, we do not know where you are going; how can we know the way?” We hear Jesus respond to Thomas and to us: “I am the way and the truth and the life.” If we know Jesus, we know “the way and the truth and the life.”

Meditating on the text with personal questions:

Do I truly know Jesus, not just about Jesus? Am I in a real and loving relationship with Jesus? Do I speak His name? Do I seek His company?

Praying:

LORD, Almighty Father, You sent your only-begotten Son to dwell among us as our brother and from among us to reveal your great love for us through His teachings, through His works, and most especially through His selfless sacrifice of His own life so that we might have life and have it in abundance. Send your Spirit to fuel our relationship with our Savior, to open our minds and hearts to His teachings and to His works, to tenderize our very being so that we are receptive to salvation from You, through Him, and in the Spirit. We ask this in the name of Jesus, your Son, who lives and reigns with You and the Spirit, one LORD, forever and ever. Amen.