Way to Life

The psalm chosen for the texts of the Roman Catholic Lectionary today proclaims that the people of God have been chosen as sons of the Father. Recognition of the chosen nature of the Jewish nation underlies manner in which Paul addresses the members of the synagogue in Antioch in the passage from the Books of Acts. Paul speaks from his own deep commitment to seek God and observe the Law through his experience and education as a Jew who practiced as a leading Pharisee. The invitation Paul accepted from Jesus to proclaim the Good News is a fulfillment of the Promise made to Israel. The pattern of the missionary work of the early Christians was to bring news of Jesus first to the synagogues and after that to address the Gentiles in the communities they visited. Friar JudeWinkler comments on the text, part of the Last Supper Discourse, from the Gospel of John as one which is apparently in contradiction to the dualistic theme of this Gospel. The place which Jesus prepares in His Father’s house has many rooms. The image of this place generates hope that certainly there must be a room for everyone. Our human understanding cannot encompass the breadth and depth of the Spirit of God which desires intimacy with all humanity. John presents the dialogue with Thomas to underline, in a more dualistic manner, that the decision to follow Jesus will be the Way and the full understanding of God will be in the Truth revealed by Jesus and the fullness of life in Jesus begins now and will continue through death. John does not concern himself with the question of other ways to God. He is proclaiming the Life of the intimacy of humanity with the Spirit of God in Jesus.