John 14

This Sunday, we hear one of the most celebrated passages from St John’s gospel. Even non-Christians are familiar with this word of Christ Jesus: “I am the Way, and the Truth, and the Life.” The whole discourse was given at the Last Supper. As the last teaching before his suffering and death, Jesus spoke with a very solemn tone. And he avoids ambiguity but declares with clarity and assurance.

Among these teachings, I find that this teaching cannot go unnoticed: “Very truly, I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do and, in fact, will do greater works than these, because I am going to the Father.”

When you read this word of Jesus several times, you will be surprised. “Can I do the same works that Jesus does? And Can I do even greater works than Jesus does?” Jesus assures us saying “Very truly, I tell you,” or “Amen, amen, I say to you,” at the beginning of the sentence. It is not a wish or a metaphor. It is a definitive declaration without much room for ambiguity. We have to ask ourselves, “Can we really do the same works that Jesus did?”

Of course, Jesus gives this condition: “the one who believes in me [Jesus].” Instantly we will question how, then, so many baptized Christians have done what is contrary to the works of Christ? Abuses, violence, wars… the list goes on and on. Most of us have probably met Catholics whose hypocrisy made us upset. Or you might be even living with one of them now. How does this happen?

Reflection on this question leads us to the nature of faith. Faith is not completed until it reaches works. I believe no one on earth can claim the completion of faith until the moment of death because we do not stop doing something until we die. Then, how do we do the same works that Jesus does without the completion of faith? This is a mystery of faith. As long as we are united in Christ and work in him, we do the works of Christ. As St Paul testifies, it is no longer that we live but that Christ in me lives. But at the same time, this union is not static. We always face the danger of being led astray and failure. St Peter could walk on the water when he put his trust in Jesus. But as soon as he looked down at the water and became afraid, he was sinking.

And here, we should remember Christ is the Way, and the Truth, and the Life. He is the Way: we learn how to do through his examples. He is the Truth: we know what to believe through his teachings. He is the Life: we have the goal and purpose of life on earth through his death and resurrection.

Every decision we make in this pandemic will reflect our faith. In this difficult time, our Lord wants to heal us and renew our family and society. But unless we let him in us with our faith, he won’t be able to do his work. I pray that we may become Christ’s instruments for healing and rebuilding so that our faith may give glory to our Lord