Readings: Acts 13:26-33; Psalm 2; John 14:1-6
The Gospel of today is commonly selected for a funeral Mass or service because the words are very consoling and powerful.
However, it is appropriate not just for a funeral but also for our meditation at any time.
Jesus says to his disciples “Do not let your hearts be troubled.” We need to look at the context to be able to understand this counsel.
Jesus had just told them that one of them would betray Him. That all of them would deny Him, that He would be taken away that night and that He would die. The disciples had legitimate reasons to be troubled.
Is there anyone here who is troubled? Better still, anyone here who has legitimate reasons for his/her heart to be troubled? Jesus says Mē hymōn καρδία tarassesthō “Do not let your heart be troubled.”
The heart may want to be troubled, the heart may have reasons to be troubled, but do not let it. There is a sense here of intentionally resisting the heart from worrying, do not feed your heart with worry.
Jesus never wanted us to have life without trouble, but He promised that we could have an untroubled heart even in a troubled life.
How? He says, “Trust in God still and trust in me.” The word is πιστεύετε (pisteuete), from “pistis,” that is, believe, lean on, rest in/on, entrust yourself to (God). Rest in the assurance that no matter what may come your way, He is in control, that God doesn’t fail, that your life is safe in His hands, that He knows what He is doing, that nothing is impossible for Him. In the first reading we see evidence of His power, He changed a persecutor to a passionate preacher of the good news. God wants you to trust knowing that your troubles are short-lived; Jesus has gone to prepare a place for us where we shall live eternally without worry.
Dear friends, this is the recommendation of Jesus for worry, rest in God’s arms, believe in God still, and believe also in Jesus.
Sermon preached by Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Baraka-Gukena Okami on April 30, 2021