4th Week of Easter

Our hearts become troubled by many things:
fears and anxieties,
the state of situations in our world,
family problems,
inner struggles,
people who make our lives difficult,
violence and destruction,
hatred and sin.
The disciples’ hearts were troubled because Jesus was leaving them
and he tells them they couldn’t join him in the moment.
They had become attached to him….and now he was going away.

It’s easy to become overwhelmed with it all.
We wonder at times what the future has in store for us.

Jesus encourages us to put our faith in him.
He encourages us to put our trust in the future his power makes possible.
The power of God’s love over sin and death has made possible an everlasting future.
The resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead gives us a new hope.
There is a place for all of us in the Kingdom to come.
We will come to share in this Kingdom through him.
He is the way.
He is the truth.
He is the life.

If we follow Jesus he will bring us to the Father
for Jesus and the Father are one.
He will bring us to heaven, not on our terms but on his terms,
to the dwelling places of the holy.
Jesus is our guide to salvation.
He is not only our guide.
He is the source of life and he is the source of truth.
On this side of heaven he reveals to us the complete truth of our human existence.

There is no access to God the Father except through Jesus.
There is only one way that will bring us to heaven:  Jesus is that way.
There is only one truth that will bring us to heaven:  Jesus is that truth.
There is only one life that will bring us to heaven:  Jesus is that life.

Let us follow Jesus in his life;  let us follow him in his death on the cross;
let us follow him in resurrection.

Today’s prayer: “O Lord, You promise us a share in the eternal life of Your Son Jesus Christ.  Direct our hearts and our minds to this life for it lasts forever and ever.  Amen!”