In St. John’s Gospel, the final night of Jesus’ life is five chapters in length! At Mass over the weekend, we heard from John 14, 1-12, verses found near the end of the five chapters. Jesus is about to leave. He gives us some final words of encouragement and consolation. Some have referred to these words as His “last will and testament.” There is a Biblical precedent for this sort of farewell address. Moses, Joshua, David, and others had done much the same. Each gathered his family and closest friends to bid them farewell and offer insight into the future, giving some final instructions.
No one offers such a “farewell” in a haphazard or uncaring way, do they? Such a thing calls for deep thought and an intimate moment, just like we see in John 14. Again, Jesus is about to leave. He gives some final words of encouragement and consolation. A summary of those words is: “Be faithful to God’s Word and Law. Remember and live what I have taught you. Better days are coming.”
A challenge for us this week is this: to see and appreciate that those who really love Jesus are those who carry out the teachings He has given, knowing that words alone will not be enough. Where there is real love from a disciple, Jesus will return that love and reveal Himself to the disciple, living and abiding in such a person. The challenge is not an easy one, but His grace (as always) is enough!
