by Rev. Canon David B. Tabo-oy
“Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. 2 In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. 4 And where I go you know, and the way you know.” 5 Thomas said to Him, “Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way?”
6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. (NKJV ) Read: John 14:1-14.
As of this writing about 200 church people are gathered at the Asia Pacific Theological Seminary here in Baguio City for a two-day Mental Health First Aid Training (May 4-5). The training is focused on Loneliness, Depression Healthy Boundaries and Anger Management. The Health Enhancers Advocates of the Lord (HEAL), the health organization of the Episcopal Church recognizing the present depressing mental health due to the pandemic sends thirteen of its members. The Lord’s Fellowship, a stateside Christian organization based in Vallejo, California is sponsoring the training. According to the World Health Organization there has been increasing acknowledgement of the important role mental health plays in achieving global development goals with the inclusion of mental health in the Sustainable Development Goals. Depression is one of the leading causes of disability. Suicide is the fourth leading cause of death among 15-19-year-olds. People with severe mental health conditions die prematurely – as much as two decades early – due to preventable physical conditions.
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The disciples are anxious. On the eve of Jesus Christ’s departure from this world, he bids farewell to his disciples who are frightened by the prospect of loneliness and loss of leadership. Jesus calms their anxiety and tells them not to be troubled by his absence because he is going away temporarily to prepare a home for them in his Father’s house. With words of consolation and instruction he offers them a proper antidote of the depression setting in among them: ‘…you believe in God, believe also in me.’ They have to have faith in God and confidence in him. Jesus never wanted us to have life without trouble, but He promised that we could have an untroubled heart even in a troubled life. Jesus didn’t say, “I’m happy you men are troubled and filled with doubts. You’re doubts are wonderful.” “He takes no delight in the doubt and disquietude of his people. When he saw that because of what he had said to them sorrow had filled the hearts of his apostles, he pleaded with them in great love, and besought them to be comforted.” (Spurgeon)
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His disciples felt His departure like a torture. And it was then that He consoled them with such simple and glorious speech that all Christendom is the debtor to their agony. You believe in God, believe also in Me: Instead of giving in to a troubled heart, Jesus told them to firmly put their trust in God and in Jesus Himself. This was a radical call to trust in Jesus just as one would trust in God the Father, and a radical promise that doing so would bring comfort and peace to a troubled heart. “What signalizes Him, and separates Him from all other religious teachers, is not the clearness or the tenderness with which He reiterated the truths about the Father’s love, or about morality, and justice, and truth, and goodness; but the peculiarity of His call to the world is, ‘Believe in Me.’” (Maclaren).
Jesus spoke with complete confidence about heaven, here spoken of as His Father’s house. Jesus didn’t wonder about the life beyond this earth; He knew it and told His disciples that there was room for all in heaven (many mansions). He told the disciples later, ‘Peace is what I leave with you; it is my own peace that I give you.’ (John 14:27)
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The gospel text this 5th Sunday of Easter tells us of Jesus’ message of assurance. Even among his disciples there was a degree of anxiety and confusion about the truth and expectations about the future. Even then, the disciples struggled to maintain their faith in God’s promises. They had their doubts. But Jesus says to them, “Do not let your hearts be troubled” (v.1). Do not be depressed or lose faith for any reason. Remain focused on what God has promised. You already have a place set aside for you in God’s presence. So then, regardless of what happens, whether the church is under persecution or not, whether it is growing or in decline, where there is confusion and anxiety or excitement, the promise will stand.
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The same message stands today in our spiritual pilgrimage, both as individuals and communities. There will be situations that raise doubt in our hearts or may cause us to be cautious about the future. We will not be full of excitement and passion about our faith. There will be times when we as a community or individuals go stale, lose sense of direction, vision and passion. Jesus says, ‘Do not let your hearts be troubled.’ Do not think that all is lost because even if we lose the way or the will to keep on the right path, God will not lose us. God will always be on our side because through Jesus a place has already been set aside for us in God’s presence. It is a powerful message of assurance and security in the situation of depression or anxiety.
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According to one preacher we view life as a pilgrimage to the house of the Father – a journey home. It is a rough passageway through the turmoil of this world, with the inevitable sacrifices, sufferings and grief. Access to the Father is along the narrow road where there is little comfort and a lot of hard work. Jesus travelled it and to negotiate it properly we need his guidance. He is the way, the truth, and the life. In every trial of life he is the person who helps us make the leap of faith which points us to our destinations. When in the anxiety of the present moment our focus narrows to the problems that hem us in every side – a sick child, financial difficulties, addictions, unemployment and depression – the list seems endless, his presence and his power give us encouragement and strength. However desperate our situation, faith in Jesus Christ will break the grip of worries that shackle us. If we really believe in this promise of Christ – not to let our hearts be troubled – a lot of tumults will be vanished from our lives.
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This text is frequently read at funerals, and for good reason. It contains promises that are profoundly comforting in the face of the death of a loved one. But let us look deeper and understand that this text is not only about life after death, but is a text that has everything to do with our lives here and now.
Let us pray.
Almighty God, whom truly to know is everlasting life: Grant us so perfectly to know your Son Jesus Christ to be the way, the truth, and the life, that we may steadfastly follow his steps in the way that leads to eternal life; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.**
