—Gospel of John, chapter 14:1–12

The early Christians were called the people of the way. They took to heart the words of Jesus in today’s gospel: “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life.” They made these words the basic test of their lives by imitating Him. No wonder the early Christians grew in strength and attracted members from all around the known world. No wonder they were admired by their persecutors because of their love for one another.

We learn from the Acts of the Apostles (Acts 6/1-7) that the leaders of the early church were both sensitive to the presence of Christ within, and sensible about the needs of the community without. The widows of the Greek-speaking Christians were deprived of helpful services which the Hebrew-speaking Christians were receiving. This was not fair, and thus the apostles prayed and then acted. In order not “to neglect the Word of God”, the apostles selected seven deacons who could take care of the needs of the widows in question. The Christian community, therefore, responded to constructive criticism by expanding its services to take care of the physical needs of all its needy members and by not neglecting the ministry of the Word.

All baptized members of the church are a consecrated people, claimed by God. Even though we are fallible and weak, we are called to be mediators of God’s wonderful life by following the example of His son who is for us: “the way, and the truth, and the life.”
God’s will is disclosed in the daily heroism of ordinary people everywhere who apply the teaching of Christ to their circumstances and situation. That is why Jesus says that the person who has faith in Him will do the works He does, and greater far than these (John 14:12). It is through our commitment to the example and teachings of Jesus and in our concern for one another that God’s glory is revealed.

The early Christians got that right.

Let us make every effort, no matter how challenging, to follow the example of Jesus, and only Jesus, who is the way, and the truth, and the life.

Fr. Hugh Duffy.

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