I am the Way - What is the Way of Jesus

Gospel Thoughts

*Easter Season : 4th Week - Friday*

*GOSPEL -  Jn 14:1-6*

*First Reading - Acts 13:26-33*

*I am the Way - What is the Way of Jesus*

*1) I am the Way*

When Jesus says I am the way, it has a special significance

Jesus is not saying, I will show the way, or I have way, or these are the things which will show the way. Jesus simply says *I am the Way*

So there is no difference between Jesus and the Way. The way and Jesus is one and the same. 

*2) One needs to use this way for salvation*

Jesus says, *No one comes to the Father except through me*

This particular expression tells us the need and necessity of using this way. 

Only those who pass through this way will be able to reach the destiny of their life.

*3) What is this way? How to understand it?*

*Jesus' way means forgiveness* One who is going through this way, that is the way of forgiveness, he/she is going through Jesus' way which leads to the salvation

Jesus' way means Love. Jesus means love and Love means Jesus. God is love. Jesus/Love is the way to eternal life 

*Way of Sacrifice* Jesus means sacrifice. Look at the Cross. Cross/sacrifice/Jesus is the way which leads to salvation

*Way of Humility* Jesus/Humility is the Way. One of the surest and powerful ways to reach the final destiny of our life 

*The way of Service* Service/Jesus is the way. Service of the needy and the sick is the way to go through Jesus and to grow in Holiness 

The way of Truth,  Justice, Sharing, sincerity, faithfulness, Holiness are the ways of Jesus. When we follow the above ways we are following the way of Jesus, which finally leads to us to our destiny 

*4) Am I following the way of Jesus?*

One of the important questions of our life 

What is the way that I follow in my day today life? 

Where does it lead to me? Is it leading me to become better human being or a selfish being, or arrogant being, or insensitive being? 

What can I do to follow the ways of Jesus in my Life? 

*5) Jesus and His ways challenging, but always with a great reward*

All the ways of Jesus or those ways which make us to pass through Jesus Himself are very much demanding and challenging

But all these ways have definite and sure rewards. All those who follow this way, will definitely, achieve their goal in life 

Am I ready to face the challenges of this way? 

*6) There is no shortcut for Jesus' Way*

It is very challenging and surest way towards the ultimate goal of life 

In this way one can't have shortcuts and manipulation

One has to go through this way with full sincerity and commitment. Only then this way will work. 

For all those who are greedy, selfish, craving for name, power, money and worldly pleasure, the way of Jesus or Jesus' way will not work 

So we need to make a choice between the way of Jesus and the way of this world. 

*Choice is yours*

*God bless you and your family. Praying for you and your dear ones*

*Fr Maxim Dsouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*