As we journey towards Pentecost Sunday, the culmination of Easter, the readings this week are powerfully speaking of faith, hope and trust. Again, we have no doubts that we continue to live with the impact of the challenging events around us, and subsequently, we are impelled to ask ourselves: Does God exist? Why does evil exist in our world? Else these questions can propel us into the tension of making the right or wrong decisions in our lives.
“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Have faith in God; have faith also in me.”
With these words of Jesus to his disciples, and now being repeated to us, let us treasure the gift of faith. With this gift, we get the truth that gives meaning to human existence.
Uplifted by the words of Jesus, I took an evening walk to the lake and sat by the lake for a couple of minutes in meditation. While in silence, I experienced the calmness, peace, and stillness of the waters. The steady rolling of the waves, and the openness of the waters. The lake is open, with no trees, mountains, bumps, or any obstacle, but clear visibility, flying birds over the waters, water games, the vastness of the space with an abundance of waters, and the beauty of the aging sun awaiting rebirth on the next day. I remembered my birthday and visualized life as a journey between birth and death. I then visualized the walking Jesus over the waters and the terrified disciples after confusing him with a ghost. I heard him speak these words to his terrified disciples, “Courage! It’s me! Don’t be afraid.” With these words, Jesus became my peace and I ended my meditation feeling comfort, encouraged, and having encountered God in the waters of the lake.
“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Have faith in God; have faith also in me.”
Despite the linguistic and cultural tensions experienced by the first Christian community, faith was growing, and the number of disciples was increasing. We learn how the early church devised a way of sharing food and other material necessities among all the believers, giving chance to the Apostles to pray and proclaim the Word. Eventually, with prayer and seeking guidance from the Holy Spirit, they made wise decisions. The Psalm is a prayer of expression of trust in the Lord, for those who fear and hope in him.
“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Have faith in God; have faith also in me.”
Jesus asks his disciples not to be troubled, but to trust in God. He invites us also to trust knowing that we are not left alone, but the risen Lord, who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life, will help us to make decisions during our immediate events in our lives. In Jesus, the Way, the Truth, and the Life lies the fullest meaning, value, and the beauty of life. Do not let your hearts be troubled. Have faith in God; have faith also in Jesus.
Joy and Peace
