Friday of the Fourth Week of Easter
Lectionary: 283
Lectionary: 283
When Paul came to
Antioch in Pisidia, he said in the synagogue:
“My brothers, children of the family of Abraham,
and those others among you who are God-fearing,
to us this word of salvation has been sent.
The inhabitants of Jerusalem and their leaders failed to recognize him,
and by condemning him they fulfilled the oracles of the prophets
that are read sabbath after sabbath.
For even though they found no grounds for a death sentence,
they asked Pilate to have him put to death,
and when they had accomplished all that was written about him,
they took him down from the tree and placed him in a tomb.
But God raised him from the dead,
and for many days he appeared to those
who had come up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem.
These are now his witnesses before the people.
We ourselves are proclaiming this good news to you
that what God promised our fathers
he has brought to fulfillment for us, their children, by raising up Jesus,
as it is written in the second psalm,
You are my Son; this day I have begotten you.”
“My brothers, children of the family of Abraham,
and those others among you who are God-fearing,
to us this word of salvation has been sent.
The inhabitants of Jerusalem and their leaders failed to recognize him,
and by condemning him they fulfilled the oracles of the prophets
that are read sabbath after sabbath.
For even though they found no grounds for a death sentence,
they asked Pilate to have him put to death,
and when they had accomplished all that was written about him,
they took him down from the tree and placed him in a tomb.
But God raised him from the dead,
and for many days he appeared to those
who had come up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem.
These are now his witnesses before the people.
We ourselves are proclaiming this good news to you
that what God promised our fathers
he has brought to fulfillment for us, their children, by raising up Jesus,
as it is written in the second psalm,
You are my Son; this day I have begotten you.”
Responsorial Psalm PS 2:6-7, 8-9, 10-11AB
R. (7bc) You are my Son; this day I have begotten you.
or:
R. Alleluia.
“I myself have set up my king
on Zion, my holy mountain.”
I will proclaim the decree of the LORD:
The LORD said to me, “You are my Son;
this day I have begotten you.”
R. You are my Son; this day I have begotten you.
or:
R. Alleluia.
“Ask of me and I will give you
the nations for an inheritance
and the ends of the earth for your possession.
You shall rule them with an iron rod;
you shall shatter them like an earthen dish.”
R. You are my Son; this day I have begotten you.
or:
R. Alleluia.
And now, O kings, give heed;
take warning, you rulers of the earth.
Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice before him;
with trembling rejoice.
R. You are my Son; this day I have begotten you.
or:
R. Alleluia.
or:
R. Alleluia.
“I myself have set up my king
on Zion, my holy mountain.”
I will proclaim the decree of the LORD:
The LORD said to me, “You are my Son;
this day I have begotten you.”
R. You are my Son; this day I have begotten you.
or:
R. Alleluia.
“Ask of me and I will give you
the nations for an inheritance
and the ends of the earth for your possession.
You shall rule them with an iron rod;
you shall shatter them like an earthen dish.”
R. You are my Son; this day I have begotten you.
or:
R. Alleluia.
And now, O kings, give heed;
take warning, you rulers of the earth.
Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice before him;
with trembling rejoice.
R. You are my Son; this day I have begotten you.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Gospel JN 14:1-6
Jesus said to his
disciples:
“Do not let your hearts be troubled.
You have faith in God; have faith also in me.
In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places.
If there were not,
would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you?
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.
Where I am going you know the way.”
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.”
“Do not let your hearts be troubled.
You have faith in God; have faith also in me.
In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places.
If there were not,
would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you?
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.
Where I am going you know the way.”
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.”
Meditation: Do not let your hearts be troubled!
Do you allow any troubles to rob you of God's
peace? As much as we try to avoid it, we all inevitably encounter trouble and
difficulties. Jesus knew his disciples would have to face trials and
persecution after he left them to return to his Father in heaven. Adversity can
make us lose hope and become discouraged, or it can press us closer to God and
to his promises for us.
"It is the LORD who goes before you; he will be with you, he will not fail
you or forsake you; do not fear or be dismayed" (Deuteronomy 31:8).
A place
for you in my Father's house
Just as God, who appeared as a Pillar of Cloud by day and a Pillar of Fire by night, went ahead of Moses and the Israelites to lead them safely through the wilderness to the promised land, Jesus tells his disciples that he is going ahead through his ascension into heaven to prepare a place for them in his Father's house - a place of lasting peace, friendship, and happiness with God. God's house is never closed nor over-crowded - there is plenty of room for everyone who believes in God and in his beloved Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. The greatest fear in this present life - whether it be the separation and loss of a loved one or the threat to one's own life - is put to rest by Jesus' promise that we will live forever with him and the eternal Father. There we will be joined with a great company of saints and angels who will be our friends forever as well.
Just as God, who appeared as a Pillar of Cloud by day and a Pillar of Fire by night, went ahead of Moses and the Israelites to lead them safely through the wilderness to the promised land, Jesus tells his disciples that he is going ahead through his ascension into heaven to prepare a place for them in his Father's house - a place of lasting peace, friendship, and happiness with God. God's house is never closed nor over-crowded - there is plenty of room for everyone who believes in God and in his beloved Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. The greatest fear in this present life - whether it be the separation and loss of a loved one or the threat to one's own life - is put to rest by Jesus' promise that we will live forever with him and the eternal Father. There we will be joined with a great company of saints and angels who will be our friends forever as well.
Do you know the way to the Father's house in
heaven? Jesus expected his disciples to know where his life was headed - to
dwell in everlasting glory with his Father in heaven. And he expected that his
disciples would recognize that this was their ultimate destination as well.
Thomas, who was both a doubter and a realist, spoke for all the disciples when
he said, "we neither know where you are going nor how we shall get there
on our own?" Thomas was a very practical "down to earth" kind of
person who wanted to see the map and landmarks showing the exact path that
would lead the way to the desired haven. Jesus assured Thomas that he would not
only give him everything he needed to complete the journey, he would be Thomas'
personal guide as well.
Taveling alone in unfamiliar or uncharted places
can be unnerving and bewildering without a companion or guide. And some places
are impossible to pass through without the right person who knows the way and
who can guarantee a safe passage. Several years ago I was invited by Christian
friends to visit their community in Lebanon. They were in the middle of a civil
war that would last for 15 years (1975-1990). Months and years of hardship,
exposure to danger, and the uncertainty of the war's outcome, as well as being
physically cutoff from outside contact with friends, was weighing heavily. I
was eager to visit to offer some support. Since I had never traveled there
before, nor spoke the local language, I knew that I was helpless without a
trustworthy guide. Fortunately a close Christian friend from Lebanon met me
half-way on my journey and personally guided me through some unfamiliar territory,
including check-points, road-blocks, physical danger, and some social,
religious, and political hurdles as well. My guide got me safely to my
destination. I literally owed my life to his safe-keeping. The Lord Jesus
promised his followers that he would be their personal guide and friend who
would lead them to the source of lasting peace, enduring friendship, and
abundant life.
I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life
The disciples were surprised that Jesus was going to his Father's house and would return to take them with him. And they were even more surprised when Jesus said he expected them to know the way to the Father's house. Jesus' answer to there question, "show us the way", was both a reminder that his disciples should trust their Master and Teacher to show them the way, and a challenge for them to recognize that Jesus had intimate knowledge of God and where God came from. Jesus made a statement that invoked the very name which God had revealed to Moses, "I am who I am" (Exodus 3:14), and he made three claims which only God could make. He stated unequivocally to his disciples: "I am theWay, the Truth, and the Life" (John 14:6)
The disciples were surprised that Jesus was going to his Father's house and would return to take them with him. And they were even more surprised when Jesus said he expected them to know the way to the Father's house. Jesus' answer to there question, "show us the way", was both a reminder that his disciples should trust their Master and Teacher to show them the way, and a challenge for them to recognize that Jesus had intimate knowledge of God and where God came from. Jesus made a statement that invoked the very name which God had revealed to Moses, "I am who I am" (Exodus 3:14), and he made three claims which only God could make. He stated unequivocally to his disciples: "I am theWay, the Truth, and the Life" (John 14:6)
Jesus proclaims: I am the Way (John
14:6). He alone knows the way to the Father because he has been with the Father
from the beginning - before time and creation ever existed. The Lord Jesus
gives us more than a road map and guide book. He personally is the way to the
Father's kingdom, and we cannot miss it if we follow him. He accompanies us on
our daily journey and watches over us as the good shepherd who leads and
sustains us each and every step of the way. Are you in step with the Lord and
do you trust in his guiding hand for your life?
Jesus proclaims that he is the Truth (John
14:6). Many can say, "I have taught you the truth." Only Jesus can
say, I am the Truth. He posseses in himself the fulness of truth.
Jesus claims to be one with the Father and to speak the truth which proceeds
from the Father. Jesus promised his disciples that if they continued in his
word, they would learn the truth and the truth would set them free"
(John 8:31). The truth which Jesus proclaims has power to set us free from
ignorance, deception, and sin. The words which Jesus speaks are true because
there is no lie or falsehood in him. Moral truth requires more than mere words
or ideas because the person who speaks them must be true - true in thought,
speech, deed, example, and action. Jesus embodies the truth in his person.
Jesus proclaims that he is the Life (John
14:6). He not only shows us the path of life (Psalm 16:11); he
gives the kind of life which only God can give - abundant life that lasts
forever. Is there any trouble, fear, or distracton that keeps you from the
perfect peace and joy of a life surrendered to Jesus Christ?
"Lord Jesus, you fill us with the joy
of your saving presence and you give us the hope of everlasting life with the
Father in Heaven. Show me the Father that I may grow in the knowledge of your
great love and truth."
 Our Gaze Fixed on Christ |
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Friday of the Fourth
Week of Easter
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John 14:1-6
Jesus said to his disciples: "Do not
let your hearts be troubled. You have faith in God; have faith also in me. In
my Father´s house there are many dwelling places. If there were not, would I
have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? 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. Where I am going you know the way."
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."
Introductory Prayer: Father, how empty is the life that doesn’t
know the joy of Jesus your Son. I have come to this prayer today to know you
and your Son better, to love you more and to imitate your perfections. Thank
you for this time of prayer.
Petition:Lord Jesus, grant me a greater intensity in my relationship
with you, the Way, the Truth and the Life!
1. Follow Me, I Am the Way: Remember the olden days, when you would stop
in a gas station and ask directions? “Follow me” was the easiest way to give
directions. Something like that is happening in the Gospel today. To Thomas’
question, “How can we know the way?” Jesus gives himself as the answer. We
know the way with infallible precision. A personal and passionate
relationship with Christ is the sure way through this confusing world. Let us
keep our relationship with Jesus always on our spiritual GPS. Whenever we
have a doubt, we should ask ourselves, “How would Jesus act in this
situation? What is the path he would follow?”
2. Believe in Me, I Am the Truth: Jesus gives his followers a truth so rock
solid, that nothing can shake them. Just as he is the Way, he is also the
Truth. “There is no salvation through anyone else, nor is there any other
name under heaven given to the human race by which we are to be saved” (Acts
4:12). With the Truth of Jesus, we have the answer to basically any question
we need to ask. What a comfort it is to have Jesus as the Truth in this world
of jaded souls and in this climate of relativism.
3. Come to Me, I Am the Life: “He’s the life of the party” is a compliment
of high regard in certain circles. He’s the spark plug, the guarantee for an
entertaining evening. If he’s not there, a deflated feeling hangs in the air
and everybody wonders if there isn’t a better way to be spending their time.
A life lived with Jesus is never dull. He is the “Life” of more than just a
party. The Christian with an intense relationship with Christ is completely
fulfilled — he is never bored, nor is he boring.
Conversation with Christ: Lord, you are the Way, the Truth and the
Life. I thank you for giving me the great grace of my Catholic faith. Help me
to share with others the immense joy of this personal relationship you have
given me.
Resolution: I will speak to someone today about having a
personal relationship with Christ.
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EASTER WEEKDAY, FRIDAY,
MAY 16, JOHN 14:1-6
(Acts 13:26-33; Psalm 2)
(Acts 13:26-33; Psalm 2)
KEY VERSE: "I am the way and the truth and the life" (v 6).
READING: As Jesus approached his impending death, he prepared his disciples for the work that he would hand over to them. He told them that it was necessary for him to go so that he could prepare a place for them. Jesus assured them that they would know the way to the place where he was going. His anxious disciples were troubled by Jesus' words, and Thomas plaintively asked, "How can we know the way?" (v 5). Jesus assured them that he was the "way" to God's "truth" that he had revealed by his words and deeds. He was the bridge to the Father and to "life" eternal. Jesus likened heaven to a huge mansion in which there were many rooms. He promised his faithful followers that he would "return" and take them to live with him there (Greek, Parousia, the second coming).
REFLECTING: Is my life a light to show others the way to God's truth?
PRAYING: Risen Lord, guide me to the Father by your eternal truth.
MINUTE MEDITATIONS
Come In, Lord
Divine Master, we love your stories. We hear them year after year
and do not tire of them. We are often too anxious to be thrilled by religion,
to get an emotional kick. We know we should become the good ground in which
your love and forgiveness can take root. Here’s the key to our hearts: Open the
door and come in.
You are my Son; this day I have begotten you
‘Do not let your hearts be troubled.’Wonderful words, dear Lord. Thank you for telling us that the way to the Father, is through you. How do we find this way? How do we soothe our troubled hearts? Prayer is always the answer. You regularly retreated by yourself to pray in the mountains. Most of us can’t go to the mountains, but we can retreat to a quiet place in our hearts, to pray. Please give us the grace to realise that you love each of us totally and without boundaries or conditions. Trust is the way to find you. We know from Luke, in Acts, that the good news of your being raised from the dead is true. So in prayer we thank and praise you.
May
16
St. Margaret of Cortona
(1247-1297)
St. Margaret of Cortona
(1247-1297)
Margaret was born of farming parents in Laviano, Tuscany. Her
mother died when Margaret was seven; life with her stepmother was so difficult
that Margaret moved out. For nine years she lived with Arsenio, though they
were not married, and she bore him a son. In those years, she had doubts about
her situation. Somewhat like St. Augustine she prayed for purity—but not just
yet.
One day
she was waiting for Arsenio and was instead met by his dog. The animal led
Margaret into the forest where she found Arsenio murdered. This crime shocked
Margaret into a life of penance. She and her son returned to Laviano, where she
was not well received by her stepmother. They then went to Cortona, where her
son eventually became a friar.
In 1277,
three years after her conversion, Margaret became a Franciscan tertiary. Under
the direction of her confessor, who sometimes had to order her to moderate her
self-denial, she pursued a life of prayer and penance at Cortona. There she
established a hospital and founded a congregation of tertiary sisters. The poor
and humble Margaret was, like Francis, devoted to the Eucharist and to the
passion of Jesus. These devotions fueled her great charity and drew sinners to
her for advice and inspiration. She was canonized in 1728.
Comment:
Seeking forgiveness is sometimes difficult work. It is made easier by meeting people who, without trivializing our sins, assure us that God rejoices over our repentance. Being forgiven lifts a weight and prompts us to acts of charity.
Seeking forgiveness is sometimes difficult work. It is made easier by meeting people who, without trivializing our sins, assure us that God rejoices over our repentance. Being forgiven lifts a weight and prompts us to acts of charity.
Quote:
"Let us raise ourselves from our fall and not give up hope as long as we free ourselves from sin. Jesus Christ came into this world to save sinners. ‘O come, let us worship and bow down, let us kneel before the LORD, our Maker!’ (Psalm 95:6). The Word calls us to repentance, crying out: ‘Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens and I will give you rest’ (Matthew 11:28). There is, then, a way to salvation if we are willing to follow it" (Letter of Saint Basil the Great).
"Let us raise ourselves from our fall and not give up hope as long as we free ourselves from sin. Jesus Christ came into this world to save sinners. ‘O come, let us worship and bow down, let us kneel before the LORD, our Maker!’ (Psalm 95:6). The Word calls us to repentance, crying out: ‘Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens and I will give you rest’ (Matthew 11:28). There is, then, a way to salvation if we are willing to follow it" (Letter of Saint Basil the Great).
LECTIO DIVINA:
JOHN 14,1-6
Lectio:
Friday, May 16, 2014
Easter Time
1)
OPENING PRAYER
Lord our God,
your Son Jesus Christ is to us
the way that leads to you and to one another,
the truth that is good news of love and hope,
the life which he sacrificed to give it.
Help us to show the way to him
and to go his way to one another,
to speak the truth that is encouraging and credible,
to give life by sharing happiness,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
your Son Jesus Christ is to us
the way that leads to you and to one another,
the truth that is good news of love and hope,
the life which he sacrificed to give it.
Help us to show the way to him
and to go his way to one another,
to speak the truth that is encouraging and credible,
to give life by sharing happiness,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
2)
GOSPEL READING - JOHN 14,1-6
Jesus said to his disciples: "Do not let your hearts be
troubled. You trust in God, trust also in me. In my Father's house there are
many places to live in; otherwise I would have told you. I am going now to
prepare a place for you, and after I have gone and prepared you a place, I
shall return to take you to myself, so that you may be with me where I am. You
know the way to the place where I am going.
Thomas said, 'Lord, we do not know where you are going, so how
can we know the way?'
Jesus said: I am the Way; I am Truth and Life. No one can come
to the Father except through me.
3)
REFLECTION
• These five chapters (Jn 13-17) are a beautiful example of how
the communities of the Beloved Disciple of the end of the first century in Asia
Minor, which today is Turkey, carried on the catechesis. For example, in
chapter 14, the questions of the three disciples, Thomas (Jn 14, 5), Philip (Jn
14, 8) and Judas Thaddeus (Jn 14, 22) were also the questions and problems of
the communities. Thus, the answers of Jesus to the three of them are like a
mirror in which the communities found a response to their doubts and
difficulties. To understand better the environment in which the catechesis was
carried out, it is possible to do what follows. During and after the reading of
the text, it is good to close the eyes and pretend that we are in the room in
the midst of the disciples, participating in the encounter with Jesus. While we
listen, it is necessary to pay attention to the way in which Jesus prepares his
friends to separate themselves and reveals to them his friendship,
communicating to them security and support.
• John 14, 1-2: Do not let your hearts be troubled. The text
begins with an exhortation: “Do not let your hearts be troubled!” And
immediately he adds: “In my Father’s house there are many places to live in!”
The insistence in continuing to use encouraging words which help to overcome
the trouble and the divergence is a sign that there was much polemic and
divergence among the communities. One would say to the other: “Our way of
living the faith is better than yours. We are saved! You live in error: If you
want to go to heaven, you have to convert yourselves and live like we do!”
Jesus says: “In my Father’s house there are many places!” It is not necessary
that everybody thinks in the same way. The important thing is that all accept
Jesus, the revelation of the Father and that out of love for him, they have
attitudes of understanding, of service and of love. Love and service are the
basis which unite the bricks and help the diverse communities to become a
Church of brothers and sisters.
• John 14, 3-4: The farewell of Jesus. Jesus says that he is
going to prepare a place and that afterwards he will return to take us with him
to the Father’s house. He wants us to be with him forever. The return which
Jesus speaks about is the coming of the Spirit that he sends and who acts in
us, in such a way that we can live as he lived (Jn 14, 16-17.26; 16, 13-14).
Jesus ends by saying: “You know the way to the place where I am going!” Anyone
who knows Jesus knows the way, because the way is the life that he lived and which
led him through death together to the Father.
• John 14, 5-6: Thomas asks which is the way. Thomas says:
“Lord, we do not know where you are going, so how can we know the way?” Jesus
answers: “I am the Way, I am Truth and Life! No one can come to the Father
except through me”. Three important words. Without the way we cannot go.
Without the truth one cannot make a good choice. Without life, there is only
death! Jesus explains the sense. He is the Way, because “No one can come to the
Father except through me”. And he is the gate through which the sheep enter and
go out (Jn 10, 9). Jesus is the truth, because looking at him, we see the image
of the Father. “Anyone who knows me knows the Father!” Jesus is the life,
because walking like Jesus we will be united to the Father and we will have
life in us!
4)
PERSONAL QUESTIONS
• What beautiful encounter of the past do you remember,
encounters which give you the strength to continue ahead?
• Jesus says: “In my Father’s house there are many places”. What
does this affirmation mean for us today?
5)
CONCLUDING PRAYER
Sing a new song to Yahweh,
for he has performed wonders,
his saving power is in his right hand and his holy arm. (Ps 98,1)
for he has performed wonders,
his saving power is in his right hand and his holy arm. (Ps 98,1)
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