A sermon on John 14:1-12

Fr. Mike Paraniuk
HCP columnist

My heart was troubled the night before my surgery to remove a big tumor in my intestine. It would be easy to remove if it were benign. If it that tumor had cancer cells, I would lose a lot of my intestine and must wear a colostomy bag. I found great peace in something I read on the internet.  

"I don’t know what tomorrow holds, but I know Who holds tomorrow.” That phrase reminded me that God is in control. He holds my future in His hands. God's power bursts forth when I am powerless. St. Paul wrote, "For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong." (2 Cor. 12:10.) The yard signs that popped up around town took on a special meaning for me. They read, "God's Got This."

Jesus offered a way for his apostles to find peace the night before they would witness tomorrow's horror of Jesus dying on the Cross. “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me." (John 14:1.) After Jesus comforts the apostles by urging them to keep faith, He offered them hope. "In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places... I go to prepare a place for you.  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also." (John 14:2-3.) 

I have read this gospel at many funerals to offer hope that Jesus has prepared a place for their loved one where sickness, pain and suffering are no more. The "Father's House" is Heaven. St Paul saw Heaven. He wrote about it. “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.” (1 Cor. 2:9.) 

Some of the children at Children's Hospital also got a glimpse of Heaven before they went to live in one of the Father's dwelling places. I will never forget witnessing a teenager who came out of a coma to proclaim to his mother, "Look at the people of the light! They are so beautiful." He then proclaimed, "I am cured. I am cured! I don't hurt anymore." 

He actually tried to get out of bed believing he was no longer sick. His mother asked me, "Who are these people of the light?" I told her, "The angels are here to take your son to Heaven." Several hours later, the angels took him to begin his new journey in the Father's House. 

Permit me to offer a further insight of Jesus proclaiming "I go to prepare a place for you." I believe Jesus prepares a place for you in your life here on earth. It is a place that you enter by faith where Jesus now calms your troubled heart. Jesus is here now to bring you peace, to surround you with His Love, to bring the joy of forgiveness, and to make your life better by healing whatever troubles your heart. 

The proof of this is the works Jesus performed as written in the Bible. The prodigal son, the woman caught in adultery, and the sinner in the temple begging forgiveness received God's mercy. Jesus gave a new wonderful life to the blind man begging to see. And Jesus restored the life of Lazarus and the only son of a grieving mother by raising them from the dead. How many people yearn to find peace. It can only be found in Jesus who is the Way to fullness of Life because He is Truly in Love with you. All you have to do is believe and let Him in.

God sees each person's heart as a dwelling place where He can live. The Father wants to bring to you the joys of Heaven now. Jesus worked to prepare each heart to receive Him. Jesus calls you to continue this work. What are you to do? You are called to proclaim God's presence, His love, His care, His compassion by the witness of your faith.

A nurse approached me one day at Children's Hospital. She said, "When I see you pray over a sick child, it reminds me that God is here. He works through everyone to make these kids better. What keeps me going is seeing a sick child become happy again." Jesus felt joy before He died knowing His death would open many dwelling places for His Father. "I have told you this to make you as completely happy as I am." (John 15:11.) 

Help others overcome their troubled hearts. Help them to let God in. Happy Easter.