A Tunnel Vision

Last Sunday when we prayed for priestly vocation, we read that Jesus claimed to be the door.
So Jesus again said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep." (John 10:7) When we read John, we have to keep a meditative mind because the images conjured up in the passages are very fluid. Take this passage as an example, Jesus said that those who did not enter by the door of the sheepfold were thieves and robbers. He who entered by the door was the shepherd of the sheep (John 10:1-2). Later in verse 7, Jesus claimed to be this door of the sheepfold. In verse 11, he became the good shepherd.
I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep (John 10:11).
Never mind how Jesus transforms himself into a door and then a shepherd. If we have difficulty in envisioning this, how shall we see Jesus as a piece of wafer?

Now, keep this door image in mind and read what Jesus said about himself in the Last Supper. In the Gospel reading today, Jesus told his apostles that he was returning to his Father to prepare rooms for them. If Jesus had only said these words, life would have been easy. But Jesus made one last remark to stir up Thomas' protest.
And you know the way where I am going (John 14:4).
This statement was an enigma for all those present at the Last Supper. People, including the apostles of Jesus, had expectations on him. However, Jesus' actions after entering Jerusalem had surprised everybody. He did not work well with the Jewish authorities. Jesus must have some other agendas in his mind but he had not confided them to his disciples.
This morning, Fr. Lejeune told the congregation that we should thank Thomas for his candour. He did not pretend to understand and confessed his ignorance. Without this humility, we will never have the opportunity to learn a greater truth.
Thomas said to him, "Lord, we do not know where you are going; how can we know the way?"
Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but by me." (John 14:5-6)

Now, how do you transform or combine the image of a door with the image of a way?
There are several possibilities. For example, suppose we are going out. We go through the front door of the house and in front of us is the way. Jesus is the front door as well as the way!
Or perhaps we take a 3-D approach. The 4 sides of the door extend out and form a tunnel. The tunnel is both the door and the way. It is a secure way and usually opens up to a new world. Babies go through the vagina of their mothers to enter into this world. We dig tunnels to go through mountains which we do not need to climb any more. These tunnels save us a lot of time and energy. Prisoners dig tunnels to gain freedom. The lighting inside the tunnel may be good, may be bad. But to be sure, at the end of the tunnel, there will be a new light, a new world. In short, we may envision Jesus as a tunnel leading to the inner life of the Godhead.

The reading of Acts today encourages me once more on my diaconate vocation.
As the early Church expanded, complaints arose because some Greek-speaking widows were neglected in the daily distribution. The apostles needed helping hands. New needs demanded new structures. Seven deacons were elected to relieve the burden of the apostles.
Therefore, brethren, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may appoint to this duty (Acts 6:3).
Here, three criteria are set: deacons must have a good reputation,  must be full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom. Later, more criteria were set (1 Timothy 3:8-10). I should work hard towards satisfying these criteria. May God help me.

Dear Lord, I pray that we may pass through this tunnel of yours safe and sound to the eternal life in our Father. Amen.