JOHN 14:1–6
The disciples are troubled because Jesus had announced that He would soon leave them(chapter 13:33). His absence ,He says,would be temporary and for their benefit. Jesus’ returning to His Father ensures that His disciples would be permitted to join Him there. In His Father’s house are many mansions, monai(Gr.) The abode of Christ and the Father with the Christian is no temporary affair, it is permanent. He will come again: this futuristic presence (futuristic eschatology) makes the event to be thought of as being certain as to be already taking place: realistic presence(realistic eschatology). The idea is ‘where’ Christ is you may also be there: Jesus longs for the manifestation of Himself in the church. When His image shall be perfectly reproduced in His people, then He will come. It is our privilege to hasten the day of glorious homecoming (2 Pet 3:12). Jesus is the Way,the Truth and the Life. By His humanity, He touches this earth, and by His divinity, He touches heaven. He is ipso facto the ladder connecting earth and heaven. There is no other means of salvation (Acts 4:12, 1Tim 2:5). Jesus Himself says “nemo venit ad Patrem nisi per me”. No one comes to the Father except through me.
In the first reading Acts 13:26-33, Paul, without wounding Jewish sensibilities, addresses them as ‘stock of Abraham'(genos Abraam: Abrahamic descent), classing himself with them but telling them that salvation rests upon the work of Jesus Christ and is gained by union with Him.
Reflection by Paul Nzioki Mbatha SC
(Servus Christi)