This Sunday’s readings begin to point to the Ascension (May 17) and the Descent of the Holy Spirit (May 24). However, Jesus first admonishes the disciples not to let themselves become confused: “Have faith in me.” Trust that what I am doing is what is best for you. Then he speaks about his departure: I am going away to prepare a place for you, and I shall come again to take you back with me, so that “where I am, you may also be.” This means that we also would be with the Father for all of eternity. The disciples, afraid of the great distance to the Father, and ask how to find their way to the Father’s place. Jesus’ answer is strong: He himself is the WAY and there is no other. But Jesus is much more than the way — he is also the GOAL. The Father to whom he leads is in him, precisely visible for anyone who truly sees Jesus for who he is.
In today’s Gospel, Jesus is surprised that one of his disciples after such a long period of closeness, has not yet realized this. It is in Jesus that God the Father speaks to the world. It is true that the Father does his deeds in Jesus – miracles and revelations through words. These signs really should bring anyone to believe that the Father is in the Son as the Son is in the Father. Yet, the earthly form of Jesus must disappear toward the Father so no one will confuse this form with God. Jesus will return in a form that cannot be misunderstood. He will return transparent with the glory of the Father. However, prior to that, he will not leave his own people as “orphans.” Together with the Father, he will live with them in a hidden way (John 14:23), yet in a way that permits him to reveal himself to them. The Holy Spirit will give people the insight that Jesus is in his Father and the Father is in him. If someone read the series of books or watched the series of films “The Chronicles of Narnia” by C.S. Lewis, they will clearly find the suggestive visualization of this truth. Starting from the second book or film, Jesus is portrayed as Aslan, a lion, who is present in the world but only in a hidden way, as if from a distance.
At the end of today’s Gospel, Jesus gives an almost incomprehensible promise to the Church: if she believes in Jesus, she will do greater works than he has done. This refers not to outstanding miracles, but that the Church will have an effect on the world that Jesus himself did not wish to have while on earth. The Church, under persecution, will smash through all barriers erected against her, and the Holy Spirit will guarantee the strength to do so.
Fr. Mark Jurzyk