Fifth Sunday of Easter

Dominica V Paschae A

3 May 2026

The Gospel passage today takes us back to Jesus’ extended remarks to his apostles at the Last Supper where he was preparing them for their life and mission when he would no longer be with them in the same way. He had just informed the group of his own imminent departure (Jn. 13:33). The apostles are stirred up, maybe even confused and hurt. And so, in response to their likely state of mind, we can appreciate the context for why Jesus says, “Do not let your hearts be troubled.”

Jesus prepares the Apostles for his departure. In an immediate sense, he is preparing them for his suffering and death, about to take place in the moments after the Last Supper. But in a larger more remote context he is preparing them for after his resurrection and ascension when he will return to his rightful place in Heaven with the promise to return again in glory. While Jesus indicates he will go away, his departure is not without a promised return. A rich layer of meaning comes to the surface when we understand what is evoked when the Lord says about his departure, “I am going to prepare a place for you”. He is going to the Father, to the Father’s house, where there are many dwelling places. And after a time of preparation he says, “I will come back again and take you to myself”. The type of departure and return that Jesus indicates evokes the image of Jewish betrothal and wedding ceremonies. A bride and groom in ancient Jewish practice, once betrothed were legally married and already husband and wife, yet they did not immediately live together. That’s why if you think with me in a different context, when Joseph plans to leave Mary after discovering she’s pregnant, the angel can appeal to him and say “Do not be afraid to take Mary, your wife, into your home.” That’s because upon betrothal they are already legally married yet not living together. Upon betrothal the groom would “go away” to prepare a dwelling place for his wife and new family. He would often do so on familial land, “in his father’s house” in other words. And once a suitable dwelling place was prepared he would return and a joyful wedding procession would take place to the new home where the bride and groom would begin only then their common life living together.

This is the language employed by Jesus in today’s selection. This imagery might help us understand why his departure is not to cause trouble in the hearts of disciples. Yes, he is going away. But it is a going away that i