4th Week in Easter Time, Friday – 30th April 2021 — Gospel: John 14,1-6
Hope for the Troubled Hearts
Jesus’ final instructions to his committed followers relates with his words and actions. “Do not let your hearts be troubled” is the comforting words of Jesus to his followers. Note that he was not telling them to stay out of trouble but not to be troubled. As disciples of Jesus who live in a dark and scary world, they are not to surrender to hopelessness and despair. Instead, Jesus urges them to “Believe in God and believe in me!” In another instruction, Jesus says, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart, I have overcome the world.” (Jn 16,33). While we may not wholly avoid trouble in the world, it is possible not to allow the troubles to overwhelm or diminish us. Alternatively, Jesus encourages saying, do not allow the troubles around you to define you because there is an end to every one of them. Further, to avoid being troubled by our troubles, Jesus presents a spiritual faculty of faith: “Believe in God and believe in me.” Here faith functions in giving us hope and calmness in the face of the troubles in our lives. The hope of one’s faith is that it leads beyond the earthly troubles, for Jesus promises a heavenly reward, namely His Father’s house, which has many dwelling places.
