In
the Master's Footsteps
Sr Monique FSM
"I am the way,
the truth and the life." (Jn 14:6).
Our life is a continuous
journey from beginning to end. From the moment of our birth into this world
till our death we are heading towards our goal. Even after death our journey
continues as we are carried to the grave, and we as Christians believe
our life just does not come to an end with death and the grave. So the
journey still continues until we reach the Bosom of the Father, from where
we took our origin.
In this connection, the
beautiful and memorable words of Jesus, quoted above as an answer to the
anxious query of Thomas the Apostle, just before Jesus left the world,
is of great significance. Jesus said to Thomas and in saying so, to all
of us, his would-be followers, "I am the way, the truth and the life."
He added further, "No one goes to the Father except by me." Beautiful words
indeed which no one on this earth could utter with such certainty, either
before him or ever after him.
Let us analyse these significant
words of Jesus, which have come down to posterity and are repeated quite
often in many a Biblical quotation. W e shall restrict our reflection specially
to the words "Jesus - our Way."
What did Jesus mean when
he said to Thomas in a spontaneous reply to his ardent question, "Lord
where are you going?" When we ask a person for the way to our destination,
of which we are uncertain or ignorant, it has a special connotation. Likewise,
in Thomas' mind, which was already clouded and distressed with all that
he heard about his beloved Master's imminent departure, were great doubts.
And Jesus the good Teacher, as he always was, surprised him with a quick
answer: Thomas, I am the way and not only that I am also the Truth and
the Life. He continued, "No one comes to the Father except through me."
Jesus never missed a chance of teaching his friends and particularly his
Apostles about great truths and values making use of their simple doubts
or even petty quarrels. For he had always in view their greater mission
in the world once he had left them. No wonder, I feel, Thomas had the courage
and the determination to take the long and arduous route to India- the
distant land, when this mission was his to accomplish.
Yes, Jesus is our only and
true way to the Father. Jesus had no doubt about it, neither do we have
any. So we follow this way resolutely and confidently in his very footsteps.
We go to God through him since he is the way and also one who leads the
way. This thought has always fascinated me and I used to reflect on it
often, like the other Gospel truth - "Jesus is our Priest and our Victim
on the altar of sacirfice."
And what is the way traced
out for us by Jesus? A way of truth, justice and peace and love for every
other fellow traveller. There is no other way to reach the Father or our
home in Heaven. He has so assured us, through Jesus Christ, the only Son
of God the Father, who is also the Truth and the Life.