Even for the tough and strong-willed among us, good-byes can be difficult, both for the ones who are leaving and for those who are staying behind.

When we know we will soon be seeing a loved one or close friend from whom we’ve been separated, the wait seems endless and can be unbearable.

If you’ve already shed, or are holding back, a tear or two, don’t be embarrassed. It proves you’re human, have a heart, and are lucky enough to have someone who means so much to you.

Our own feelings and experiences in this regard enable us to understand and appreciate how the Apostles must have felt as Jesus was speaking to them in today’s passage (known as “The Last Supper Discourses” or the “Farewell Discourses”) from John’s Gospel. We can be sure they were upset, if not devastated, at the thought of their Master’s departure.

We are uplifted and inspired by Our Lord’s obvious concern for His Apostles. He tries to reassure them as He says: “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You have faith in God; have faith also in me. In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back again and take you to myself, so that where I am you also may be. Where I am going, you know the way …. I am the way and the truth and the life.”

With these words Jesus assured the Apostles He was not abandoning them. These same words tell you and me, Jesus’ disciples of today, He has something great in store for us. He makes it clear that by trusting and following Him we will experience the joy He has promised us. Jesus is the guide and the road to fulfillment of the promise. We need look no further.

At the end of the road is our life’s goal – union with God, Our Father, and Jesus, Our Redeemer.

Jesus Christ reveals Himself in today’s Gospel as the One who has prepared a place for each of us with Him for eternity.

How comforting it is to know that waiting for us at the end of this life’s journey is Our Blessed Lord who desires us with love, who opens His arms to us, and welcomes us to the place He has prepared for us. Though there are many dwelling places in heaven, every dwelling place is unique because unique and personal is God’s love for each one of us.

Once we accept and follow Jesus as the way to eternal life, we need never again worry about being alone. Jesus is always with us. As we follow His example, He is the light that guides us. When we stumble and fall, sin, make mistakes, or are discouraged, He wants us to turn to Him; He understands – He fell on the way to Calvary, and at one point asked His Father why He had abandoned Him.

We would be wise to follow the advice given in First Peter to come to Jesus, “a living stone, rejected by human beings but chosen and precious in the sight of God,” the stone that “has become the cornerstone.” When we invite Our Lord into our lives we let ourselves “be built into a spiritual house,” and can “offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.”

As we grow spiritually we think less of ourselves and more of others. We are more inclined to care for the needy and come to the aid of the poor as did the early Christians we read about in The Acts of the Apostles. As, individually and collectively, we serve others, we become a community according to the heart of God; by our good deeds done in Jesus’ name we announce His Gospel to the world and make it real and effective in peoples’ lives.

Jesus’ promise that He will prepare a place for us so we can be with Him in His heavenly Kingdom and the sufferings he endured for us assure us we are as precious to Him. Being so loved we can live this life filled with confidence, purpose, and hope as we look forward to the life which is to come!

   Readings for the Fifth Sunday of Easter
   Acts 6:1 - 7
   1 Peter 2: 4-9
   John 14: 1-12