26 April 2024, Friday of the 4th week of Easter
Homily
Thomas is an interesting character. He never hesitates to intervene, even with undiplomatic questions. When Jesus told the Apostles that he was going to prepare a place for them near his Father and that he would come back to take them with him, Thomas objected: “Lord, we don't know where you're going. How can we know the way?” And as with every time he speaks, Jesus takes him seriously and not only gives him an answer, but makes an important revelation: “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
What is special about Christianity is not that it is a religion, or even the only true religion. Vatican II recognised the great religions of humanity as paths to salvation for people sincerely seeking God. What is unique to Christianity is that it is faith in the person of Jesus of Nazareth - a faith that explicitly recognises Him as the Way to the Father. Our Christian faith is not simply a general faith in God, the Creator of the Universe; it is a personal and loving relationship with Jesus, explicitly recognised as the Way to the Father, as the whole Truth and as the source and fullness of Life.
Jesus has called each of us by name. He has a special relationship with each of us. God made us all different from one another, and he is the first to respect that difference. That is why, Jesus tells us, there are many dwellings in His Father's house. In fact, there are as many dwelling places as there are people called to salvation; and all human beings are called.
The Son of God became one of us. He died and rose again and went to prepare a place for each and every one of us with His Father. As Paul said to the Jews in the synagogue of Antioch of Pisidia, "God has fulfilled the promise made to our fathers for us, their children: he has raised Jesus from the dead" (first reading). Therefore, Paul explicitly and clearly states that it was "on our behalf" that the Father raised Jesus from the dead. So let us celebrate this Eucharist with Easter joy and thanksgiving.
Armand Veilleux