Saturday of the Sixth Week of Easter
St. James and St. Philip, apostles
May 3, 2008


Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
1 Corinthians 15:1-8
Psalm 19:2-3, 4-5
John 14:6-14


A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

There is a temptation in the spiritual life, for us to believe that Christ thinks of us only when we "tune in to Him," so to speak. It is almost that we think He exists whenever we think of Him. Intellectually we realize that God is always thinking of us, holding our very being in existence.

God is always loving and caring for us, even when we aren't thinking of Him! The readings for today are a good example of that. In the First Reading today, St. Paul reminds us of the gifts that have been given to us. It's almost as though Paul is doubling back to make sure that we got the message of salvation the first time.

We are aware through scripture that Christ always turned to the Father in prayer. As His Ascension drew near He taught the apostles and disciples more about the Father, to be sure that they understood His own relationship to the Father and what our relationship is to Him. He reminded us that He and the Father are one, and that we can only go to the Father through Him! He showed that ongoing love and concern! (read: John 14:6-14)

Let us listen to Him . . . and be not afraid!

- By: Joan of Jesus, OCDS

 

The spirit of truth (4-30-08)
John 16:12-15

Gospel:
Jesus said to His disciples, "I have much more to tell you, but you cannot bear it now. But when He comes, the Spirit of truth, He will guide you to all truth. He will not speak on His own, but He will speak what He hears, and will declare to you the things that are coming. He will glorify Me, because He will take from what is Mine and declare it to you. Everything that the Father has is Mine; for this reason I told you that He will take from what is Mine and declare it to you."

COMMENTARY:
The very word for "spirit" in Hebrew, Greek, and Latin is the same as the word for "breath" and "life."

The idea can be applied to the Holy Spirit, the Third Person of the Blessed Trinity. Today’s reading from John’s Gospel shows Jesus at the portion of His Last Supper where He highlighted the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit represents the continued presence of God, sustaining Jesus’ followers, clarifying His message, and bringing a fuller understanding of God’s revelation. Although the Holy Spirit is called many things – the Paraclete, the Advocate, Intercessor, Consoler, Comforter – here Jesus emphasized the Holy Spirit’s role of abiding guidance: To lead the disciples to a fuller understanding of Jesus, to free us, give us a sense of direction, enable us to understand Jesus as "the way, the truth, and the life." Jesus speaks of the Holy Spirit of truth who will guide us to all truth. Because "all truth" can only be found in the impenetrably mysterious God, we see the mind-boggling scope of the task.

We’ve come to recognize the Holy Spirit in three aspects. First, as participant in creation – when, as the Book of Genesis beautifully portrays (1:2), the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters, bringing order out of chaos. Secondly, God’s Holy Spirit prepares the world for redemption through Jesus’ life, ministry, teaching, and sacrifice. Thirdly, He has guided, and still guides, humankind into all truth, inspiring us to acts restraining evil, promoting good, and leading us onward to union with God.

SOURCE: "366 Days with the Lord," ST PAULS

Last Supper discourse (04-18-08) - John 14:1-6

Gospel:
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."

COMMENTS:
The Gospel – appropriately for this Paschal season – is from a part of Jesus’ profound farewell discourse at the Last Supper. Mindful perhaps of the betrayal of Judas, Jesus counsels us not to let our hearts be troubled (v. 1).

Jesus was about to be murdered, but His death would result in victory. In His Father’s house there are many dwelling places (v. 2), where He and His faithful followers will be together. Jesus’ departure is in order that He might prepare a place for each of us, a place where we will be eternally at home. We all know the comfort, peace, and well-being of being together "at home," especially at family feasts like Christmas and Easter. Further reassurance comes with his promise that he would return from death (v. 3) and give new life.

He tells us that we know the way to the Father (v. 4). When we travel, to insure places to stay we make advance reservations. Today Jesus gives us a guarantee that He has made reservations for us at our last resting place. Beyond what any travel agent would do, He goes ahead to check out our place. He gives it a special name: "My Father’s House." And since Jesus’ heavenly Father is also "Our Father," we, too, can call it "Our Father’s House." The name brings to mind all the warm images of home: A place where we’re always welcome, a comfortable place where we feel safe and secure, a place where we can just be ourselves.

SOURCE: "366 Days with the Lord," ST PAULS, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 895-9701; Fax 895-7328; E-mail: publishing@stpauls.ph; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph/.

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Sunday (4/20/08): Jesus said, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life"

Scripture: John 14:1-12

1 "Let not your hearts be troubled; believe in God, believe also in me. 2 In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? 3 And when I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you  to myself, that where I am you may be also. 4 And you know the way where I am going." 5 Thomas said to him, "Lord, we do not know where you are going; how can we know the way?" 6 Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but by me.7 If you had known me, you would have known my Father also; henceforth you know him and have seen him." 8 Philip said to him, "Lord, show us the Father, and we shall be satisfied." 9 Jesus said to him, "Have I been with you so long, and yet you do not know me, Philip? He who has seen me has seen the Father; how can you say, `Show us the Father'? 10 Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own authority; but the Father who dwells in me does his works. 11 Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father in me; or else believe me for the sake of the works themselves. 12 "Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I go to the Father.

Meditation: Do you allow any troubles to rob you of God’s peace? As much as we try to avoid it, we all inevitably encounter troubles and difficulties, and sometimes more than we think we can handle! Jesus knew his disciples would have to face adversity and trials after he left them to return to his Father. Jesus assured them that his departure is for their good, in order to secure a place for them in God’s house – a place of refuge, peace, and everlasting happiness. Homer’s Odyssey describes a moving scene when Odysseus miraculously finds his way home, after twenty years of wandering the nether world. After much struggle he convinces his dear father, son, and wife that it is really he who has returned from the “land of the lost” to the land of the living. He secures freedom for his wife and household after fighting off the suitors who have imprisoned them in his own home. The Lord Jesus assures us of a safe passage to our true home in heaven with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

If heaven is our destination, how can we be sure we know the way without some kind of map or guide? The scriptures speak of the way we should go. And a highway shall be there, and it shall be called the Holy Way; the unclean shall not pass over it, and fools shall not err therein (Isaiah 35:8). You shall not turn aside to the right hand or to the left.  You shall walk in all the way which the Lord your God has commanded you (Deuteronomy 5:32-33). Teach me your way, O Lord; and lead me on a level path (Psalm 27:11). Jesus proclaims: I am the Way.  The Lord Jesus does not simply give advice and direction.  He personally is the way, and we cannot miss it.  He leads and guides us personally every day. The Lord Jesus also is the Truth. Many can say, "I have taught you the truth."  Only Jesus can say, I am the Truth.  Moral truth cannot be conveyed in words alone; it must be conveyed in example. Jesus embodies the truth in his person.  Jesus also is the Life.  He not only shows us the path of life (Psalm 16:11); he gives the kind of life which only God can give – eternal life. Is there any fear or trouble which keeps you from the perfect peace and happiness of a life surrendered to Jesus Christ?

One of the greatest truths of the Christian faith is that we can know the living God. Our knowledge of God is not simply limited to knowing something about God, but we can know God personally. The essence of Christianity, and what makes it distinct from Judaism and other religions, is the knowledge of God as our Father.  Jesus makes it possible for each of us to personally know God as our Father. To see Jesus is to see what God is like.  In Jesus we see the perfect love of God – a God who cares intensely and who yearns over men and women, loving them to the point of laying down his life for them upon the Cross. Jesus is the revelation of God – a God who loves us completely, unconditionally  and perfectly. Jesus also promises that God the Father will hear our prayers when we pray in his name. That is why Jesus taught his followers to pray with confidence, Our Father who art in heaven ..give us this day our daily bread.  Do you pray to your Father in heaven with joy and confidence in his love and care for you?

"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 know and glorify him more fully."

Psalm 331-2,4-5,18-19

1 Rejoice in the LORD, O you righteous! Praise befits the upright.
2 Praise the LORD with the lyre, make melody to him with the harp of ten strings!
4 For the word of the LORD is upright; and all his work is done in faithfulness.
5 He loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of the steadfast love of the LORD.
18 Behold, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear him, on those who hope in his steadfast love,
19 that he may deliver their soul from death, and keep them alive in famine.

(Source: http://www.rc.net/wcc/readings/index.html)