Vigils Reading – 5th Sunday of Easter

A reading from

ST AMBROSE

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Let us march forward intrepidly to meet our Redeemer, Jesus, pursuing

our outward course without swerving until we come to the assembly of the

saints and are welcomed by the company of the just. It is to join our Christian

forebears that we are journeying, to those who taught us our faith – that faith

which comes to our aid and safeguards our heritage for us even when we have no

good works to show. In the place we are making for the Lord will be everyone’s

light; the true light which enlightens every human person will shine upon all. In

the house where we are going the Lord Jesus has prepared many dwelling places

for his servants, so that where he is we also may be, for this was his desire. Hear

his own words about them: In my Father’s house are many dwelling places,

and about his desire: I will come again, he says, and take you to myself, so that

where I am you also may be.

“But he was speaking only to his disciples” you say, “and so it was to them

alone that the many dwelling-places were promised.” Do you really suppose it

was only for the eleven disciples they were prepared? And what of the saying

about people coming from all corners of the earth to sit at table in the kingdom

of heaven? Do we doubt that the divine will will be accomplished? But with

Christ, to will is to do!

Accordingly he has shown us both the way and the place: You know

where I am going, he said, and you know the way. The place is where the father

is; the way is Christ, according to his own declaration: I am the way, and the

truth and the life; no one comes to the father except through me. Let us set out

on this way, let us hold fast to truth, let us follow life. It is the way that leads us,

the truth that strengthens us, the life that is restored to us through him.

To make sure that we really understand his will, Christ prays later on:

Father, it is my desire that those whom you have given me may be with me

where I am, so that they may see my glory.

How graciously he asks for what he had already promised! The promise

came first and then the request, not the other way around. Conscious of his

authority and knowing the gift was at his disposal, he made the promise; then,

as if to show his filial submission, he asked the father to grant it. He promised

first to make us aware of his power; he asked afterwards to show us his loving

deference to his Father.

Yes, Lord Jesus, we do follow you, but we can only come at your bidding.

No one can make the ascent without you, for you are our way, our truth, our life,

our strength, our confidence, our reward. Be the way that receives us, the truth

that strengthens us, the life that invigorates us.