Contemplating today's Gospel
Today's Gospel + homily (in 300 words)
The proposal was acceptable to the whole community, so they chose Stephen, a man filled with faith and the Holy Spirit, also Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicholas of Antioch, a convert to Judaism. They presented these men to the apostles who prayed and laid hands on them. The word of God continued to spread, and the number of the disciples in Jerusalem increased greatly; even a large group of priests were becoming obedient to the faith.
Upright is the word of the Lord, and all his works are trustworthy. He loves justice and right; of the kindness of the Lord the earth is full.
See, the eyes of the Lord are upon those who fear him, upon those who hope for his kindness, to deliver them from death and preserve them in spite of famine.
Therefore, its value is for you who have faith, but for those without faith: The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone, and a stone that will make people stumble, and a rock that will make them fall. They stumble by disobeying the word, as is their destiny. You are «a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people of his own, so that you may announce the praises» of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
Thomas said to him, "Master, 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 except through me. If you know me, then you will also know my Father. From now on you do know him and have seen him."
Philip said to him, "Master, show us the Father, and that will be enough for us." Jesus said to him, "Have I been with you for so long a time and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, 'Show us the Father'? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on my own. The Father who dwells in me is doing his works. Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else, believe because of the works themselves. Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever believes in me will do the works that I do, and will do greater ones than these, because I am going to the Father."
“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me”
Fr. Walter Hugo PERELLÓ (Rafaela, Argentina)Today, the scene we contemplate in the Gospel puts us before the intimacy that exists between Jesus Christ and the Father —but not only that. It also invites us to discover the relationship between Jesus and His disciples: "And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back again and take you to myself, so that where I am you also may be" (Jn 14:3). These words of Jesus not only direct the disciples to the future, but also invite them to remain faithful to the course they had undertaken. Thus, in order to share with the Lord the glorious life, they must also share the same path that leads Jesus Christ to the Father's dwellings.
"Master, we do not know where you are going; how can we know the way?" (Jn 14:5). Jesus says to him, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you know me, then you will also know my Father. From now on you do know him and have seen him" (Jn 14:6-7). Jesus does not propose a simple way, certainly; but He marks the path for us. Moreover, He Himself becomes the Way to the Father; He Himself, with His resurrection, becomes the Wayfarer to guide us; He Himself, with the gift of the Holy Spirit, encourages and strengthens us so that we do not falter on the pilgrimage: "Do not let your hearts be troubled" (Jn 14:1).
In this invitation that Jesus makes to us —to go to the Father through Him, with Him, and in Him— His most intimate desire and His deepest mission are revealed: " He who for our sake became like us in order to make us his brothers, now presents to his true Father his own humanity in order to draw all his kindred up after him " (St. Gregory of Nyssa).
A Way to walk, a Truth to proclaim, a Life to share and enjoy: Jesus Christ.
Thoughts on Today's Gospel
“It is not said to you, ‘Labor in finding a way to come to the truth and life’; this is not said to you. Sluggard, arise: the way itself has come to you, and roused you from your sleep; if, however, it has roused you, up and walk.” (Saint Augustine)
“The Lord is the only way that leads us to true life. The construction of a world where love and harmony reign begins in each human heart, when in it the scale of values and the evangelical attitudes of the Lord come to life.” (Saint John Paul II)
“Faith in the Son introduces the disciples into the knowledge of the Father, because Jesus is ‘the way, and the truth, and the life’ (Jn 14:6). Faith bears its fruit in love: it means keeping the word and the commandments of Jesus, it means abiding with him in the Father ...” (Catechism Of The Catholic Church, Nº 2614)
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