Scripture: Acts 13:26-33. Psalm 2:6-11. John 14:1-6. Lectionary # 283

Questions are important in the Scriptures. Recently someone wrote a
book on the questions Jesus poses to those who listen even if they
disregard what he says. He questions his disciples and his opponents. The
New Testament has Jesus posing 100 questions; he, however, gives only three
answers to these questions. Perhaps, he wants us to learn from the
questions. Another person composed a sign which reads, "Just when I knew
the answers, the questions were changed!" Today's reading has Thomas
asking Jesus a question. Thomas is important for faith-development in the
Fourth Gospel where he is featured together with Peter, the Beloved
Disciple, and Philip. Thomas however is the one whom we focus upon today.
He questions Jesus, "Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we
know the way?" Jesus then gives us a personal and powerful answer that
keeps us thinking and praying about its meaning. Jesus says to Thomas," I
AM THE WAY, THE TRUTH, AND THE LIFE. NO ONE COMES TO THE FATHER BUT THROUGH
ME." The footnote in the French edition of the Jerusalem Bible has this
comment: "Jesus is the way inasmuch as he reveals who the Father is (John
1:18; 12;45; 14:9); the Truth in that he teaches and incarnates
spirit-filled religion, alone the advocate of the Father, (John 4:23ff);
the Life, since eternal life is knowing that the Father is present in the
Son (John 17:3)." Thus these three identities of who Jesus is show us how
our journey is to follow Him as the way. He is our point of departure on
the journey to God. The truth is a covenantal word in Hebrew, "emeth"
which expresses the constant presence and fidelity of God's love for us.
And for Christians it is Jesus living among us in the sacrament which
"...names the truthfulness of God's commitment to us; a loyalty that will
never waver. It speaks of blood that is poured out for you" (Frank
Andersen,Making the Eucharist Matter, p.39). Jesus has told us he is the
Bread of Life, thus we are nourished by Him and have a realized here and
now taste of eternal life in the Eucharist. Thomas learned much from his
question. At the end of the story about Thomas in the Gospel on the Sunday
after Easter we learn that Jesus asks him a question and Thomas gives us
the best response, "My Lord and my God." He believed Jesus as both human
and divine. May we keep asking questions of Jesus so that we may learn
from him. Perhaps, we could do some homework by reading the Gospels to
find out the questions Jesus is asking. Amen.