FIFTH SUNDAY OF EASTER – A: 22nd May, 2011

FIFTH SUNDAY OF EASTER – A: 22nd May, 2011

Acts 6:1-7; Ps. 32; 1 Peter 2:4-9; John 14:1-12


My dear Brothers and Sisters,


In the Gospel according to John there are not a few “I am” sayings of Jesus. In the Gospel last Sunday Jesus calls Himself the Good Shepherd and the Gate of the Sheepfold. He also states that He is the Light, the Bread of Life and the Vine. In today’s Gospel, He calls Himself “the Way, the Truth and the Life.” Let us ponder prayerfully each of these statements.


Jesus is the Way. The way directs us to the destination where we wish to go. Jesus is the Way to the Father. He is in the Father and the Father is in Him. No one knows the Father and no can come to the Father except through Him. He is the Way – the safest way but the narrow way. If we walk this Way that is Jesus we will never stumble or go astray. Our life on earth is a journey. We do not know how long or short the journey will be. But we know for sure that the journey will one day come to an end. We know too that every day we move closer to the destination. While we journey we must never lose sight of our destination. How foolish is that traveller who gets distracted by the wayside and forgets his destination! If we walk the Way that is Jesus, the Way to the Father, the Way of love which He himself trod, we are certain to reach our destination.


Jesus is the Truth. He is the Truth that sets us free. He breaks the shackles of falsehood that bind us. He is the Truth that enlightens our minds. He is the Truth that helps us discern between right and wrong, good and evil, virtue and vice. When we live the Truth that is Jesus we become free and fearless. Truth is neither popular nor palatable; but it is necessary. It takes courage to stand up for one’s convictions. No one knows the truth better than the one who lies. Yet, when we lie we live in fear – the fear of being exposed, the fear of being known for who we really are. When we lie we live in bondage for we are entangled and enmeshed in untruth and often to conceal and cover one lie we have to tell another. He who lives the truth comes out into the light. How liberating truth is! That is the fearlessness and freedom we enjoy when we live the Truth that is Jesus!


Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life. We cling to life. We preserve, protect and strive to prolong life. We need to. The Life that Jesus offers us is not a life that is earthly but eternal, not a life that will end but one that is everlasting. He came that we may have this life and have it in greater abundance. He shares with us this life for He himself has said: “I am the bread of life. He who eats of this bread will live for ever!” How blessed we are to receive Jesus in the Holy Eucharist! Here we receive Jesus and in Him the foretaste of heavenly bliss, the pledge of eternal life. The moments after receiving Holy Communion are indeed profoundly precious and personal. Jesus is with us and we are with Him. Heart speaks to heart and words get lost in silence!


Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life. May we walk His Way. May we live His Truth. May we enjoy His Life. Amen.



[St. Tudwal Church, Barmouth – Msgr. Alex Rebello (595 Words)]