A Heavenly Home Is Prepared For Us

Acts. 13:26-33 & Jn. 14:1-6

The leaders of the Jewish community failed to recognize Jesus for who He was, the fulfilment of Jewish prophecy, and had Him executed. This is what Saint Paul said in the Antioch synagogue, in today's first reading, before making the point, “We have come here to tell you the Good News. It was to our ancestors that God made the promise but it is to us, their children that God has fulfilled it, by raising Jesus from the dead. As scripture says in the first psalm, “You are My Son; today I have become your Father.”

Each of those words from the psalm is significant. Here we see the Father saluting His Son, "You are My Son; this day I have begotten You." Here we touch at the very heart of the Christian doctrine of the Trinity. In human terms a father is naturally older than and superior to his son. But in the mystery of the Trinity there is no such priority for each Person is co-equal and co-eternal. "This day" refers to the day of eternity, and eternity means that there is no beginning, no past, no future. With God it is always NOW … God the Father is from all eternity; the Son is from all eternity; the Holy Spirit is from all eternity.

God the Son became man through the power of the Holy Spirit and the consent of Mary. He who existed before all ages, who is God, second Person of the blessed Trinity, becomes man, grows as a human being, preaches, works miracles, founds a Church, suffers, dies, and is buried. But as Paul tells us today, God raised Him up according to the Psalm, “You are My Son, this day I have begotten You” with “this day” being the day of eternity.

In today's Gospel Jesus has some comforting words to those who have followed and loved Him in their lives. “I am going to prepare a place for you, and after I have gone and prepared you a place, I shall return to take you with Me, so that where I am you may be too.” It is not surprising that this passage is frequently read at funerals to give comfort and hope to those who grieve. Jesus promised His followers that He was going to prepare a special place for them where they will live with Him for eternity. He told His disciples this to comfort and assure them that His own impending death would not ultimately separate them.

And He was giving them hope and courage to face the lonely and bitter struggles they would have to face before their own deaths. We have no clearer picture of what Heaven will be like than these promises of Jesus, a place for everyone who has died in the community of those who love Jesus and are loved by Him. If we want to live forever in the place that Jesus has prepared for us, let us make sure that right throughout our lives Jesus is our Number One focus.

Lord Jesus, every day may we long to be with You, Your Father and the Holy Spirit in Heaven.