Today, and for the next few weeks, we shall read excerpts from John’s account of Jesus’ farewell teaching at the last supper, in which he speaks about his continued presence with his disciples.

Reference to the many dwelling places of the Fathers’s house emphasizes his desire to be with us, to make his abode in our hearts if we allow him. "Place" is less a physical location than the sense of "room": God has room in his life for us; what sort of room do we make for him?

Thus Jesus as the "way" is the perfect pattern of one who has made room for God in human life. Jesus in his humanity fully acknowledged and accepted the presence of divinity in him to the point of total self-giving.

Thus we can come to the Father only by following his way. "Way" is not so much a "road" or a "path" as a "manner" or "ability." Jesus is saying, "I have submitted to God the Father; this is how you do it. You can do it, for I am with you."

Just as the faithful servant reflects his master, a faithful lover reflects his beloved, or a child reflects the parent, so Jesus reflects the Father perfectly. Jesus, the Son of God, is not the Father, and yet can say, "The Father and I are one."

The perfect unity of the early Jerusalem Christian community (2:42-47; 4:32-35) was perhaps more idealized than real. This section reveals developing tensions and jealousies between Christians of differing Jewish origins. There were probably many unrecorded conflicts, also painful, that had to be solved in the power of the Spirit. Note that the authority of the Twelve is clearly recognized, but was exercised communally, with the community’s acceptance. This passage also shows a developing diversity of ministry. Those with different gifts complement each other rather than compete.

This is a song of trusting praise — the Lord has been faithful in the past, and so he will continue to be faithful. He recognizes his own, those who hope in him, and will preserve them in sharing his life. Response: "Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you."

This section forms the introduction to the practical considerations of the Christian way of life in the light of Christ’s resurrection.

The "living stone" (v 4) alludes to the first covenant, founded on Mount Sinai which could not be approached under pain of death (Ex 19:23). As the chosen people of the old covenant were established upon Sinai, so the chosen people of the new covenant are founded upon Christ (vv 9-10). The other allusion, which corresponds to the Gospel reading, is that of God’s dwelling, no longer centered in a stone temple, but now is the temple of the spirit, the heart that accepts God’s presence as Christ did.

1. How do we see the Father in Christ? Where do we now see Christ?

2. How can we learn from the experience of the Church through history to handle the conflicts within the Church today?