DO NOT LET YOUR HEARTS BE TROUBLED

John 14:1-12

In a small village, a ten years old John is in the kitchen with his mother who is preparing supper. It is dark outside as it is night and there is no electricity. The mother asks the boy to go to the nearest shop and buy a can of tomato sauce. “It is dark outside and I’m scared,” replies John. The mother tries to convince him “it is safe to go to the shop” but no much success. Finally she says “It’s all right, John, don’t be scared, Jesus is with you. Go, he will accompany you.” John walks hesitantly to the door and slowly opens it. He looks to the left and to the right, he sees that it is very dark; he is scared and goes back in the house. “I am scared Mom”. Then, suddenly he gets an idea. He says to his mother: “Mom, is Jesus really there with me?” The mother said: “yes he is there; he will go with you.” Then the boy continued: “Mom, then ask Jesus to go and buy the tomato sauce for you because he is not scared.”

John’s fear in this short story is similar to the fear of the disciples as the time draws near for Jesus to leave them. They are afraid to face the world alone as the master goes. In today’s gospel reading, Jesus convinces them that there is no need to be afraid. He says to them: “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God, believe also in me.” These words of Jesus are the most consoling, reassuring and trusting words we find in Bible. However, for most of us, they appear to be unrealistic. Like the boy John in the story, we seem not to see Jesus in our lives. How can Jesus tell us not to be troubled, in fact, we are faced with different troubles and dangers. In many levels, our lives are threatened. In various places we hear news about war, increasing violence, crimes, and kidnappings. Our planet is threatened by global warming. Natural calamities like hurricanes and typhoons are destroying lives. We are troubled in our place of work, in our families, even in the Church. We are troubled even within ourselves. When Jesus says: Do not let your hearts be troubled; what does he mean? How can he say that to us and how can we welcome this message in our world today? Do not let your hearts be troubled.

I think we need to know that this is a very deep teaching of Jesus. Jesus sees himself at this point in his life as having to make a painful journey alone. He knows that as a result of this journey the community of the twelve will face great persecution and martyrdom. And thanks to the questions of Thomas and Philip, He reveals the most important truth about himself. He gives the most consoling and encouraging words for the disciples and for us today. Jesus says clearly that he entered in our lives so that we can see God the Father in him. Whoever has seen me has seen the Father because I am the way the truth and the life. Here, Jesus calls us for basic trust and faith. He calls us to have confidence that he is really, faithfully and significantly revealing the Father to us in our places, in the people we meet, the tasks we do, and the relationships have in our lives.

Not only that. Jesus goes on saying that if we believe in him we will perform the works he did. He places himself on the same platform with us and ensures us that if we believe, God can use us and work through us in spite of our human deficiencies. In fact, Jesus even goes as far as placing the disciples on a higher platform than himself: “Very truly, I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do and, in fact, will do greater works than these, because I am going to the Father to intercede for you.

The important message this morning is a call to have faith and trust. Even though we are troubled in many areas of our lives, Jesus Christ is the way the truth and the life. And if we believe that, then we will conquer everything. He calls us to be his disciples.  It is fascinating to see how people identify with professional sports teams and rock bands. They wear their T-shirts and hats and sometimes the uniforms. Jesus wants us to be identified with Him and His team and to wear his uniform of love here on earth.

I received this text message from a friend of mine which says: “If you were accused of being a follower of Christ today, would there be enough evidence to convict you?” Would there be enough words and deeds to show that really you are a follower of Christ? The first time I read it, it didn’t sink in my mind. But now let us look at it, if you are accused of being a Christian, which evidence can the accuser find in your life to convict you?