Our houses (homes) are precious. That’s where life is lived. That’s where we share family. That’s where we grow up. That’s where we go to rest and be refreshed. I remember a program on T.V. that took us into the mansions of movie stars in Hollywood. People often just ride around on a Sunday afternoon and look at houses. There are suburbs even around here with houses that look somewhat alike. There are houses on ponds, on a high hill. And, there are beautiful old homes that have been preserved and renovated. A couple of our scripture readings today speak about our faith in terms of “house” or dwelling.

   From St. Peter’s Letter we here that Jesus is a living stone, and we are to be built into a spiritual house. And, Jesus speaks about His father’s house with many dwellings. Encouraging His disciples He tells them that He is going to prepare a place for them. God is our destination, and Jesus is the “Way.” Under all of this Jesus is saying that heaven, being with God, is not a place, but a relationship. That happens now, as well as when we check out of life here on earth.

   As Jesus is the “way,” we are not to be a detour or dead end street. We are to be truth, not a lie. We are to do the works of Jesus. We are to give life and not take it.

We encounter the Risen Lord by doing the works of Jesus and recognizing Him in others. With His Spirit, together, we are the windows and doorways to the “sacred” for others. We are to be the load-bearing walls to share burdens and responsibilities. We are to be the arches and cathedral ceiling that reach heavenward. We are to be the paving stones others pass over as they make their way to religious understanding.

    It might be good to ask ourselves if we really believe that our destination really is God and heaven. Do we spend as much time preparing for our real destiny as we do for our earthly goals and destinations?

   Jesus didn’t leave without leaving behind directions. He is the direction!  How we live now, determines where we’re going. If we embrace the way of Jesus, we’ll find our reservations in order when we arrive at our final destination.