The Gospel according to John emphasizes Jesus’ Divinity. Jesus’ Divinity is at the service of the physical world, especially healing its pain. The Gospel thus emphasizes all that is physical is being transformed. Everything that brings pain and suffering – our bodies, this world, Jesus’ death – all of it is being transformed. Do not let your hearts be troubled, do not fear the work of transformation, it is Jesus’ work – have faith, in him and in it. Work and faith are an inseparable weave. Working faithfully as Jesus did is the work of disciples. Weaving faith and works as one is Jesus’ Gospel message this Sunday.
In John’s Gospel Jesus says, “Have faith in me.” Have faith that Jesus lives with a power that is beyond this world yet is our guide to live in it during our time here: “I am the way and the truth and the life.” Have faith in the work Jesus does in the world. Have faith that during our time here we continue Jesus’ transforming works. Jesus says that too this Sunday, “Whoever believes in me will do the works that I do, and will do greater ones than these.” Those who set faith and works at odds divert people from Jesus’ faith in humanity to do the same healing works. Jesus’ works included feeding the hungry, caring for the vulnerable, and healing the sick. Jesus’ faithful work is our faithful work. Such work is political work but not as empire confines political work. Empire reduces political work to divisive parties, competitions to allocate suffering, and tribal teamwork for warfare. Politics for disciples is a quite different matter. Politics is community organizing for the common good. It is democracy. It is people’s faithful participation in decisions which affect their lives and doing the work needed to improve them. Faith works.
Charles Peguy, a French philosopher, once said: “Everything begins in mysticism and ends in politics.” Jesus’ faith and works established a spirit of community action for democracy. We can give witness to such an interweaving.
Prayer: Dear Power, let flow from me loving service.
Question: Jesus believed in our ability to continue transforming works; do I?
May 18, 2014 Gospel John 14:1-12 Fifth Sunday of Easter