Homily Fourth Friday of Easter (John 14:1-6) “Where Do I Want to Live?”

Fourth Friday of Easter (John 14:1-6) “Where Do I Want to Live?”

A rich man died and went to heaven.  St. Peter told him that he was going to take him to the house he would live in for all eternity.  St. Peter and the wealthy man wandered down the streets made of gold past mansion after mansion to the edge of heaven.  The gold streets turned into asphalt.  The asphalt turned into dirt paths. Finally, they came to a little clapboard shack.  The wealthy man was very disappointed.  He asked St. Peter, “Is this all there is?” St. Peter said, “Well this is the best we could do with the money you sent us.”

We get a sense from today’s gospel that everyone of us has a place in heaven, but some will have better places.  What determines what our dwelling place will be like?

If we have a lot of difficulties in life does that mean that we will have a nicer room in heaven?  If we have everything, we could possibly want in this life does that mean that we will a less opulent space in eternity?

If we look at our salvation in this way it seems all very transactional.  Salvation is a gift from God.  When we read Jesus’ words perhaps the many dwelling places are really all the same and there is a similar one for all of us.  Would that disappoint us?

My uncle Mell who fought through addictions in his life wrote a poem about dying and going to heaven.  In it, he described going through the pearly gates.  He was surprised to see Bill and John and Bob and Ralph and all the other men he had caroused around with in life.   He didn’t know what to say to them, but their faces showed their befuddlement as well. There was silence until one of the men said, “Well Mell, I expected to see a lot of people here, but I never expected to see you.”

Fortunately, our God has a sense of humor.

Questions for Reflection:

1. Do I feel like life is all about earning my way to heaven?  Do I feel uncomfortable when someone gives me a gift when I did not do anything to deserve it?

2. Do I have anyone in my life that I don’t want to meet up with in heaven?  Can I accept the fact that the Lord might love them as much as he loves me?

Dear Parishioners,

          This week is National Appreciation Week for Teachers.  This has been a hard time for all teachers.  They are separated from their students. I have heard of teachers working 10- and 12-hour days developing lesson plans and answering emails as they try to educate their students. Seeing a face on a screen is not the same as seeing someone in person.

          I have heard of teachers driving around to houses just to greet their students from a distance. This shows how much love teachers have for the children they teach. If we have an opportunity, we need to encourage the teachers we meet today.

          We had the rosary before Mass today.  I would like to thank Deb and Joe Terronez for leading the prayer.  We are going to try to continue this during the Fridays of May.  Each Friday, we will try to invite different parishioners to come to Mass and lead the rosary. This may remind us that we still are a community of faith.

          Mary Our Lady and all the angels and Saints watch over you today.

                                      Fr. Mark