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. . . As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord . . . Joshua 25:15b
Easter 5 Yr A
Anonymous. Christ as The Way, The Truth, The Life, from Art in the Christian Tradition, a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library, Nashville, TN. https://diglib.library.vanderbilt.edu/act-imagelink.pl?RC=57829 [retrieved April 17, 2023].
Published date 04/22/23
Introduction
Introduction
God has been trying to show us the way of life from creation as follows: Innocence when man knew no wrong and ended in the Garden of Eden; Conscience—the period from the fall to the first murder; Human governance—from the death of Abel to the Tower of Babel; Promise—from the flood to Egypt; Law—from the ten commandments to the birth of Christ; and Grace—when Jesus walked the earth. The statement “I am the way, the truth, and the life” is a declaration of the transcendence from Law to Grace and is based on the new commandment Jesus gave us: “I give you a new commandment that you LOVE one another as I have loved you. By this will you be known as my disciples, if you love one another.” Basically, the new commandment covers the way (love), the truth (men will know when they see it), and the life (loving one another). . . . The fulfillment of the Bible is not rules of what you can or cannot do, but of love.
© CCLE2020 Coderro Edgecombe Sr. [from a reflection]
Jesus is pretty clear—to get to the Father's, we must go through Jesus. But be mindful that you are not trapped into the delusion that your way through Jesus to the Father is the only way. Look at Irving Amen's woodcut (below) to see another's vision of the concept. God's love is more expansive and encompassing than you (or I) can imagine!
Your comments are welcome.
John 14:1-14
John 14:1-14
Jesus said, “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also. And you know the way to the place where I am going.” Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you know me, you will know my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.” . . .
From sermon4kids.com: “Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” If we will keep our eyes on Jesus and follow his teaching, we will find the path to our goal—eternal life in Heaven with him.”
Scripture: May 7, 2023—Acts 7:55-60 (image); Psalm 31:1-5, 15-16 (image); 1 Peter 2:2-10 (image); and John 14:1-14 (image). Illuminating the scripture, an image and audio journey.
Collect: O God, whose Son Jesus is the good shepherd of your people: Grant that when we hear his voice we may know him who calls us each by name, and follow where he leads; who, with you and the Holy Spirit, lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Reflection: Is the “dwelling place” (John 14:1–14) of which Jesus speaks a place for us after we die, or does it include our life in the present? What does Jesus mean when he says that his disciples “will do greater works”? What does it mean to pray “in Jesus’ name”?
excerpt from Feasting on the Word Worship Companion: Liturgies for Year A, Volume 1 © 2013 Westminster John Knox Press.
Eye Candy:
“Interior of the Church of Light”, the light is actually windows in the concrete walls, Tadao Ando, architect, from Japan, read more about this unique church;
"In my father's house" (2014) by Rick Darrell, digital art inspired by the 1977 mini-series "Jesus of Nazareth";
"Many children dwell in my Father's house", contemporary, color woodcut, by Irving Amen (1918-2011), American painter, printmaker, and sculptor
I am the Gate, Peter Koenig, https://www.pwkoenig.co.uk/Portfolio/i-am-the-gate
Ear Worm:
“I will follow him“, from Sister Act;
“The Way, the Truth, the Life“, sung by The Imperials (fifties sound);
“I am the way, the truth, the life” by David Hurd;
"Wait for the Lord", Taize;
"In my father's house" (1961), recording by Elvis Pressley;
"In bright mansions" by Roland Carter, sung by young people (listen especially to the end)
Brain Food:
“Refuge“, commentary and imagery from Miriam’s Tambourine website, "finding refuge in God does mean having the power to stand up for the poorest of the poor ";
“Mr. One Way” by Barry Robinson, "we have been with him all this time and still don't get it";
"Seeing the glory" by Samuel Wells, "Let’s go looking for the glory."
“He is the Way” by W.H. Auden“
He is the Way.
Follow Him through the Land of Unlikeness;
You will see rare beasts, and have unique adventures.
He is the Truth.
Seek Him in the Kingdom of Anxiety;
You will come to a great city that has expected your return for years.
He is the Life.
Love Him in the World of the Flesh;
And at your marriage all its occasions shall dance for joy.”
Parables:
Signs” (2002), how to interpret lucky incidents;
“At first sight” (1999), a man gains his sight as an adult;
“Instinct” (1999), how a man becomes a criminal (not for young people)
Hymn Notes: "I will follow him", recorded as instrumental Chariot in 1961, became an instant hit when (Little) Peggy March sang it. She was 15 years old and the song sprang to the top of the hit charts. Ms. March continues to perform in Europe. The song was dramatically recontextualized in Sister Act, performed by nun Whoopie Goldberg. Once again it soared in popularity, from a sweet teen love song "I will follow him" to a religious statement "I will follow Him". And it works very well. Churches perform "I will follow Him" with minor changes to the lyrics. Sing out, Louise!
Excerpted from Hymnology Archive.
For families: Study guide and activities (former guide), group activity, snacks; kid video
For children: See family guide/activities (another activity); bulletin; craft
For middlers: See family guide/activities (another activity; bulletin; craft
Coloring: I am the way, John 14
For youth: What do you think about when you hear that Jesus is the Way, the Truth, the Life? I expect you don’t think about buildings but Jesus as the Way, the Truth, the Life is the cornerstone of our faith. And Jesus is our model. So how do you model Jesus in your life?
Excerpted from SOLI website.
Comments welcome.
We begin today the fifth of the seven weeks of the Christian year set apart to celebrate the dying and rising of Jesus. The Gospel reading today is a discussion between Jesus and his disciples, particularly Thomas and Philip, about the results of his dying and rising. He is revealed to be the Way into eternal life, and in knowing Jesus we know and are known by the Father.
Today’s reading from Acts describes the martyrdom of Stephen, the first Christian to suffer death for the name of Christ. This is itself a particularly strong witness to the resurrection of Jesus; as Stephen joins his Lord in dying he sees Jesus raised from the dead and leading him into God’s eternal kingdom.
In the second reading today Peter applies to us the words of God to the people of Israel during their Exodus. By virtue of our baptism into Jesus’ dying and rising, we are set apart as “a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people,” with the vocation of making God’s wonderful deeds known to all people.
In the Eucharistic celebration, we are revealed as the royal priesthood. In most religions, the priesthood is a small group of people who stand between God and the rest of the people. Christians, however, all stand before God on behalf of the entire human race; on behalf, indeed, of the whole creation. That priesthood is enacted most clearly as we stand before God in intercession and in thanksgiving in the Eucharistic liturgy.
From The Rite Light: Reflections on the Sunday Readings and Seasons of the Church Year. Copyright © 2009 by Michael W. Merriman. Church Publishing Incorporated, New York.
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