Dear Saints,

This weekend's Gospel passage, this Fifth Sunday of Easter, packs quite the punch. In it, we hear Jesus speak powerfully, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."

Jesus is THE way, THE truth, and THE life.

But before that leads us to pride - that we have it right over and against other people's opinions - let's situate Jesus' claim in its original context. Here's what comes before this weekend's passage in the Gospel of John:

- John 13.1-20: The Washing of the Disciples' Feet

- John 13.21-30: Announcement of Judas' Betrayal

- John 13.31-35: The New Commandment (love one another)

- John 13.36-38: Peter's Denial Predicted

So what is the way, the truth, and the life if not love all the way through? There's simply no room for arrogance in our hearts and lives when we hold fast to Jesus as the way, the truth, and the life.

Is this life of loving service to the point of self-sacrifice difficult? No. It's impossible. But Jesus has blazed the trail for us, and by giving us his Spirit he inspires us to follow him into fullness of life.

In the Peace of our Risen Lord,

Father Daniel

δοῦλος Χριστοῦ Ἰησοῦ