Do You Not Know?

THE MAP

As the disciples gathered and Thomas and Philip questioned Jesus as he told them where he was going. Still not quite understanding Thomas asks, "Master, we do not know where you are going; how can we know the way?” Much can be said about this especially during this time? How can we know the way when there is so much confusion? How can we know the way when we don't know where the next meal is coming from? How can we know the way when we don't know what it will be like going back to work? How can we know the way when we don't know what our financial status will be in the next few months? There is so much uncertainty that one begins to spin and spin in dizzying trance. 

THE GATE

Last week we heard Jesus talking of the gate and the shepherd. This week he is more explicit in stating that he is the way, the truth and the life. What does that mean for one is overwhelmed with being restricted, whose life has been upended? Perhaps, first of all it is asking us to find Jesus. Thinking of life before the pandemic, I had time to pray and meditate in the morning, however once I arrived at work it was pretty much non-stop as well as my drive. There were moments that I had time to reflect on God's grace, but they were momentary. Now I have find time between work sessions at home to go outside take in the air, the quiet, the birds chirping, the hummingbird whirring around the yard, and the butterflies flapping around the flowers. "Slow down,"  I hear the voice say.

THE QUESTION

Do I not know that Jesus is the way? Of course I do, but my humanity beckons and I forget so soon. Despite the tragedies that are besetting our nation and the world daily, there is a sense that Jesus is the way. Even with fear in the newly established Christian community, the followers of Christ knew this. They had a compass that pointed towards Christ, though sometimes the path was filled with persecution and incredible uncertainty. 

Our times mirror that as well. Believing that Jesus is the way means submitting to his guidance, trying to find his will. Looking out to others instead of our own problems. Much like the passage in Acts today, we are asked to look to see how to serve those less fortunate. They may be closer than we know. Putting our faith in Christ and asking what is it that we should know today to serve the kingdom might be in order.