Gospel: John 14: 1-12
When religion is based upon law inevitably two negative results. The first is a harsh legalism that is arbitrary and tyrannical; the other is an endless series of disputes about the meaning of the law that leads to no real solutions but rather disagreements and schisms and condemning of others for their interpretations that are not your own.
Jesus, however, did not come to offer an interpretation of the Law. He came to offer the Way, an example for us to follow, not an interpretation to adhere to. In giving us the example of love and mercy we now have the Way to an authentic faith life, for we can now show love and mercy to others in the various circumstances and situations of our life just as Jesus did.
The life of faith, then, does not consist in an endless and fruitless set of disputes about the meaning of the law, but rather a life of ongoing discernment and dialogue about how best to show love and mercy to others in our world. As communities of faith the institutions we then create do not merely occupy space and issue decrees, but rather they are places of discernment where processes are developed to extend love and mercy to the world. It is truly a house of many dwelling places.
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