I ran across this Greek word this week, the word being “monai.”
It seems that the word “monai” was originally associated with caravans…
The caravan that I am talking about was not made by Dodge, Nissan or Chevrolet.
Rather the “monai” that I am referring to usually consisted of a group of people or animals traveling together on a long journey especially through a desert region.
They normally traveled together for protection. (Kind of like the “wagon-trains of the Old American West!)
What I learned about “monai” is that it actually referred to “a temporary resting place for travelers.”
So, I further read how back in the day -a contingent of people would normally go ahead of the caravan to seek out the next resting stop. Or rest area, if you will.
There they would “prepare a place” so that when the caravan finally did arrive – everything would be in order.
That meant – the campground had to be prepared, the water supply located and made available and the food prepared.
In that way – the travelers – in the caravan would have a place of comfort and hopefully of safety to spend the night.
That little word “monai” it turns out is all about, welcome and hospitality for a community of people and animals traveling on a journey.
What caught my attention about the word – “monai” is that it is the same exact word that is used in our gospel text for today.
In what is – one of my favorite gospel texts, Jesus says, “In the house of my father, there are many habitations…”
The word translated as “habitations” is “monai.”
The word has also been translated as “mansions,” “dwelling places,” “a place,” “rooms,” and as a “habitation.”
To put it in more of a first century context, we could probably add the word “tent.”
Looks like there may be camping in the great hereafter!
There is such comfort in this statement…but remember…the original meaning was all about the “hospitality and the welcoming…”
In the popular imagination – this statement by Jesus – is often taken to mean – that the Roman Catholics will have a room, indeed a mansion — and so will the Methodists and the Baptists.
Jesus is himself – preparing a place for you…
A special place, your own place…
“Monai” is less about getting some fancy digs in the hereafter – with its greater emphasis being on the “celebrative greeting and welcoming.”
What Jesus said is reminiscent of Moses’ speech in Deuteronomy 1.33 – where we are told Moses says to the people of Israel – “The Lord always goes ahead of you to find a place for you to camp.”
Just as Moses led the people into the “Promised Land” so Jesus will lead his people to the place where he himself is going…
Jesus said, “I come again, and I will take you to myself so that, where I am, I and you might be.”
Two glorious promises: God himself is preparing a place for you and secondly, he will come and take you to that place, when the time is right.
One Christian author has referred to heaven as being – like a “maternity ward.”
You can imagine angels passing out bubble gum cigars, with horns blaring and rejoicing – each time a new arrival pops onto the scene.
Imagine all groups of people cheering you on – and being really excited to see you again.
I am not sure if we get to pick the people who will be awaiting for us; but if I did, I know I would probably want, Jesus, Moses, Mary, Peter, the gospel writer of Mark, Martin Luther, Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King, Jr. to greet me. That’s who I’d pick. My mom and my dad, my grandparents who loved me unconditionally and a whole host of saints – who went on before me… Did I mention my dogs? It wouldn’t be heaven without them there…
It is a celebration. A reunion. A joyful gathering…a party!
Everything has been prepared. It is all ready. Imagine they were just waiting for me…
…The unbelievable joy, warmth and love to be met like that…with Jesus himself leading the way – with outstretched arms, saying, “Welcome Home!
“Monai” it’s a word worth remembering!