SAINT JOSEPH THE WORKER (OPTIONAL MEMORIAL)

Whoever believes in me will do the works that I do, and will do greater ones than these. 

In C. S. Lewis’ novel The Great Divorce, a man finds himself in the afterlife journeying toward heaven. Along the way, he encounters a parade of angels and young people singing, dancing, and tossing flowers in front of a beautiful woman named Sarah. The man is surprised to learn that Sarah was just an ordinary woman on earth. She is surrounded by the many young people whose lives were touched by her humble, faithful love for Christ.

In today’s Gospel (John 14:7-14), Jesus makes the stunning promise that anyone who believes in him will be able to do even “greater” things than he did (John 14:12). We might think he means miracles like multiplying food and calming storms, but there are other “miracles” that are just as important: changing human hearts through our acts of love, just as Sarah did.

That is the greatest work Jesus ever did, and now he is telling us to do the same thing. Not necessarily by performing miracles, but by sharing the good news of his mercy with everyone around us.

But why did Jesus say that we will do “greater” works than he did (John 14:12)? Because unlike Jesus, we will have to overcome our sin and selfishness to do it. It isn’t always easy to love as he did. Sometimes you have to say no to your desire to take care of only yourself. Sometimes you have to overcome the fear of stepping out in faith. And sometimes you have to care for someone you don’t like all that much. But that’s okay, because every victory you achieve over your sin makes you an even more moving witness to the Lord. It makes you capable of doing the greater works that Jesus promised.

Every one of us can be like Sarah—because every one of us is filled with the same Spirit. And that Spirit is powerful enough to change every person’s heart.

“Lord, help me to be an instrument of your love and salvation today.”

Acts 13:44-52
Psalm 98:1, 2-4
John 14:7-14

WORD AMONG US