Read
Jesus said, “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me. In my house there are many dwelling places. If it were not so, would I have told you that 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. And you know the way to the place where I am going.” Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. (John 14:1-6)

Reflect
There are certain passages of Scripture we often associate with particular liturgical moments or events. It’s difficult to hear 1 Corinthians 13 (“Love is patient, Love is kind”) without being transported to the pageantry of a wedding. Who hasn’t heard a bridesmaid stumbling through that reading like a “noisy gong or a clanging cymbal?”

Similarly, this passage from John’s gospel is often read at funerals. It has provided comfort to generations of grieving loved ones, who have gathered in the “sure and certain hope” of the resurrection to eternal life. For many of us, it’s hard not to hear it without thinking about a specific family member or friend who has moved on to larger life in God’s care.

I admit I always change one word to the more poetic King James Version: “In my Father’s house are many mansions.” Somehow “dwelling places” just doesn’t do justice to God’s kingdom. I prefer to reflect upon the abundance and majesty of heaven rather than getting caught up in condo fees.

During this Easter season there should be an abundance of joy worthy of a mansion. We may walk humbly with our Lord in this life but resurrection glory transports us to a place of true wealth — ineffable communion with Jesus Christ. We are rich in resurrection during these 50 days and we are invited to spread the wealth.

-Tim Schenck

Respond
Think about a familiar Bible passage you associate with a specific event or season. It might be the 23rd Psalm or the Magi’s visit to the manger (Matthew 2:1-12). What might these verses be saying to you outside their normal context? How do they reflect the warm glow of the resurrection during this Eastertide?