Reflection From

Fr. Davis

May 3, 2026

This week, we continue to read from the Gospel of John. We hear from chapter 14 of St. John's Gospel, which begins the Last Supper discourse. During the Last Supper, Jesus comforts His disciples before the start of His Passion. He tells them, “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You have faith in God; have faith also in me. In my Father's house there are many dwelling places. If there were not, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you?” (John 14:1-2)

As Jesus reassures His disciples that He has indeed prepared a place for them in Heaven, He also reassures each one of us who follow Him. He continues to comfort His Apostles by mentioning, “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back again and take you to myself, so that where I am you also may be. Where I am going you know the way.” (John 14:3-4)

It is here where St. Thomas questions Jesus. St. Thomas begins by asking, “Master, 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 14:5-6) This question by St. Thomas is very revealing of the relationship between St. Thomas and Jesus. St. Thomas, in addition to being one of my favorite Apostles, is also one of my favorite characters in Sacred Scripture.

He is often portrayed as speaking exactly what is on his mind, and his questions are very concrete and literal. Unlike the other Apostles, who may not have had the courage to ask Jesus what He meant, St. Thomas unashamedly asks. Jesus doesn't dismiss Thomas but listens to his question and gives a succinct answer. Jesus answers that He Himself is the Way, the Truth and the Life.

At one point or another each one of us has asked the same question, “Lord, how can we know the way?” (John 14:5) Whether we were in a difficult circumstance, questioning God's presence with us, or simply desiring to grow in our faith, we have all desired to learn how to better follow Christ. In those moments, we don't need to be afraid to ask the Lord for guidance or clarity. Like St. Thomas, we need to turn to ask Jesus. Jesus wants to deepen and increase our faith. He wants us to show us that He truly is with us always.

We only come to know Jesus, who is the Way, the Truth and the Life by spending time with Him. Unlike other religious leaders who pointed to doctrine and teachings as a source of enlightenment, in response to Thomas' question, Jesus directed Thomas to Himself. We don't come to know Jesus only by learning about Him. We learn most about Christ by being with Him.

Jesus in His Last Supper with His Apostles didn't provide them with a set of instructions or a manual for getting to Heaven. He gave them His very Self, the gift of His Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity in the Holy Eucharist. He gave them a living Memorial of His Presence that continues to this very day.

Hans Urs von Balthasar, a prominent theologian and Swiss Catholic priest famously wrote that it is incumbent upon the theologian to do theology “on one's knees”. Prayer is the source of true knowledge and union with God. It is not predominantly an intellectual exercise or a memorization of different Scripture verses. Rather, prayer is primarily a dialogue, a conversation, between the God who loves us and our own heart. It is a union between the beloved and the lover. The more we open ourselves and seek out the living presence of Christ, in the silence of our hearts, in the Holy Eucharist, in Sacred Scripture, and in the beauty of the natural world around us, the more we will come to know Jesus and follow Him.

Father John

Read More