The gospel today is a favorite among countless followers of Jesus: “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Have faith in God and have faith in me. In my Father’s house are many dwelling places...and I am going to prepare a place for you, that where I am you also may be.” These are such beautiful words, so needed today, when our hearts are so troubled by all that is going on.
I read this very gospel at my mom’s funeral Mass, a memory that surfaces as we prepare to celebrate Mother’s Day. Mothers are usually the first teachers of the faith. They hopefully teach us about a God who wants us to have life and have it abundantly. And there is a “place” for each and every human being in God’s dwelling. ALL have a special room prepared just for them.
Later in the reading, Jesus says so poignantly, “I am the way, the truth and the life.” Jesys is our “dwelling place,” where we go in prayer. Just open your heart in prayer and you will get a glimpse of that specially prepared room in God’s dwelling place. We don't have to wait to experience heaven, it’s there in the Person of Jesus, the Way. But we can only enter this burst of heaven in prayer. Pray...pray...pray...
In these times of separation, go to Jesus in prayer. Let him lead you into the room prepared for you by God, a room that is right in the center of your heart. NOW is the time. These times of prayer give us momentary experiences of when we will dwell FOREVER in that room of joy. But why wait!!!!! Get in there NOW. Your hearts will never be troubled. Pray...pray...pray...
Peace,
Fr. Frank