There is one particular thing that catches my attention in this gospel reading for today. Jesus said to His disciples: “If you loved me, you would rejoice that I am going to the Father.” And I know that Jesus means much more than only leaving this world. He himself is God, and He is going where He belongs -- to His kingdom. But shouldn’t we think that way about those of our loved ones who have died and left this world or about those who are near death? If you love me, you should rejoice that I am going to my eternal home; if you love me, you should be happy for me because I am going to the Father. This is how we Christians should understand death -- not as the end, but as a transition from this world into the eternal life in heaven. “If you loved me, you would rejoice that I am going to the Father.”
