Sunday
- 3 May 2026 – V Sunday of Easter (Year A)
Mass Readings:
Act 6:1-7 Ps 33 1 Pet 2:4-9
Jn 14:1-12
Key Verse to Meditate:
Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one
comes to the Father except through me (Jn 14:6).
Dear Brothers and Sisters in the Lord,
The Liturgy of the
Word on this Fifth Sunday of Easter offers us three beautiful readings centered
on the relationship of Jesus with His Heavenly Father.
In the first reading
from the Acts of the Apostles, we are given a clear vision of the importance of
prayer and the ministry of the Word in the life of the Church. The apostles
remind us that the Church must remain rooted in prayer and in the proclamation
of the Gospel. A synodal Church is one that listens, understands, walks
together, and actively shares in the mission of Christ.
In the second
reading, St. Peter reiterates that Jesus stands at the very center of the
wonderful edifice of the Church, for Christ is the “living stone” (1 Pet 2:4),
rejected by human beings but chosen and precious in the sight of God. Jesus
Himself was rejected—misunderstood, opposed, and ultimately crucified—yet He
became the cornerstone of our faith and salvation.
In the Gospel, Christ invites us to trust in Him at all
times, even amidst betrayal, fear, uncertainty, and anxiety, for He is “the
way, and the truth, and the life” (Jn 14:6). In Him, we find our path, our
hope, and our eternal destiny.
The First Reading
In the First Reading today
(Acts 6:1-7), we see a dispute arise within the early Church. The
Hellenistic Jews complained against the native Hebrews because their widows
were being neglected in the daily distribution of food. Amidst this confusion,
the Twelve Apostles addressed the congregation of disciples, explaining that
they could not neglect the ministry of the Word of God to serve at tables.
Consequently, they suggested choosing seven men—the first deacons—who were full
of the Spirit and wisdom to oversee this practical service. By delegating these
duties, the Apostles were able to devote themselves fully to prayer and the
ministry of the Word: "But we will devote ourselves to prayer, and to the ministry of the
word" (Act 6:4).
This passage from the Acts reminds us that every member of the Church
has a unique and essential role to play in the body of Christ. Just as the
Apostles prioritized spiritual nourishment, the deacons ensured that no one was
left behind in their physical needs, showing that true ministry requires both
action and contemplation. May we seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit to
recognize our own specific calling, serving the community with a heart that is
always rooted in prayer.
The Second Reading: “Called to Be Living
Stones”
The second reading from the first letter of St.
Peter presents to us a beautiful and powerful image: we
are living stones being built into a spiritual house. At the center
of this house is Jesus Christ, the “living stone,” (1 Pet 2:4) rejected by
human beings but chosen and precious in the sight of God. Jesus Himself was
rejected—misunderstood, opposed, and finally crucified. Yet, in God’s plan, He
became the cornerstone, the very foundation of our faith. What the world
rejected, God exalted. St. Peter goes further and says that we are not just
stones, but also a royal priesthood (1 Pet 2:9).
This means that our whole life becomes an offering to God. We may not stand at
the altar as ordained priests, but through our daily lives—our work, our
sacrifices, our prayers, our acts of love—we offer “spiritual sacrifices”
pleasing to God. Finally, we are reminded of our mission: “to
proclaim the mighty works of Him who called us out of darkness into His marvellous
light.” We are not meant to keep our faith to ourselves. We are
called to witness—to bring light into the darkness of the world through our
words and our lives.
The Gospel Reading
The Gospel of this Sunday presents the
Last Supper discourse, where Jesus prepares His disciples for His departure. During the Last Supper discourse, as presented by St. John, Jesus speaks
clearly to His disciples about His imminent departure. He knows that the
betrayal, suffering, and passion that await Him will deeply disturb their
hearts. Therefore, before anything else, He prepares them spiritually.
Jesus assures them that He is going to the Father
to prepare a place for them and will return to take them into eternal communion
with Him. In response to Thomas’ question, Jesus reveals a profound truth: “I
am the way, the truth, and the life,” (Jn 14:6) showing that He alone leads us
to the Father and is the living presence of God among His people.
Jesus invites them not to
be overcome by fear or anxiety: “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe
in God, believe also in me” (Jn 14:1). He asks them to remain strong by
trusting in the closeness and faithfulness of God. Faith becomes their anchor
in the midst of uncertainty.
Jesus also explains the
purpose of His departure. He is returning to the Father in order to prepare a
place for them. His going away is not abandonment, but preparation. Those who
have walked with Him on earth are also called to dwell with Him in the eternal
presence of the Father. He assures them that He will return and take them to
the Father’s house.
This is a beautiful
revelation of God’s heart: in the Father’s house, there is room for everyone.
In the heart of God, there is always a place for every human person. This
intimate communion with the Father is what Jesus Himself lived throughout His
earthly life and ministry. His mission was always rooted in His union with the
Father.
The Spirituality of the
Father
The Gospel of this Sunday reveals
to us the profound mystery of the union between the Father and the Son in Jesus
Christ. Jesus often spoke to His disciples about the Father. His entire life
was a reflection of the Father’s love and will. Therefore, the disciples too
must learn to follow Jesus in His relationship with the Father. Yet, they still
struggle to understand the depth of His message. Thomas, speaking with honesty
and confusion, asks: “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we
know the way?” (Jn 14:5). Jesus responds with one of the most powerful
declarations in the Gospel: “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No
one comes to the Father except through me” (Jn 14:6).
This is not merely a
teaching; it is a revelation of His identity. Jesus does not say that He knows
the way—He says, I am the way. He does not simply teach the truth—He is
the truth. He does not merely give life—He is life itself. In this declaration,
Jesus reveals Himself as the living presence of God among His people, echoing
the divine revelation of God in Exodus: “I AM WHO I AM” (Ex 3:14). God
is life, and it is He alone who gives life.
Life in Abundance
Jesus came into the world
so that we may have life in abundance (Jn 10:10)—not merely physical existence,
but fullness of life in God. He is the source of eternal life. The Psalmist
beautifully prays: “You show me the path of life” (Ps 16:11). Jesus is
that path. He leads us not only through the struggles of this earthly life but
also into eternal communion with the Father.
He is also the truth—the
only truth worth seeking. In a world filled with confusion, half-truths, and
false promises, Christ remains the unchanging truth. Before Pilate, Jesus
declared: “For this I was born, and for this I came into the world, to
testify to the truth” (Jn 18:37). He also assures His disciples: “If you
continue in my word… you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free”
(Jn 8:31–32). True freedom is found only in Christ. Truth is not an idea; it is
a person—Jesus Himself.
And He is the way. There
are many roads offered by the world, but only one leads to the Father. Christ
alone reveals the Father and leads us safely to Him. Therefore, like the
Psalmist, we must pray: “Make me to know your ways, O Lord; teach me your
paths” (Ps 25:4). And again: “Teach me your way, O Lord, that I may walk
in your truth; give me an undivided heart to revere your name” (Ps 86:11).
Jesus Means Knowing the
Father Personally
Jesus continues by teaching
the disciples that to know Him is to know the Father personally. Jesus lived in
deep intimacy with the Father—through prayer, preaching, healing, and every act
of His ministry. He constantly experienced the Father’s presence and acted
according to His will.
Then Philip asks: “Lord,
show us the Father, and we will be satisfied” (Jn 14:8). This is a deeply
human request. Every human heart longs for God. Only God can fully satisfy the
human soul.
Jesus answers Philip with
gentle firmness: “Whoever has seen me has seen the Father” (Jn 14:9). To
see Jesus is to see God. To hear Jesus is to hear God. To walk with Jesus is to
walk with the Father. This is the heart of Christian faith: God is not distant.
In Christ, God has become visible, touchable, and approachable.
That is why Jesus asks
Philip: “Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in
me?” (Jn 14:10). Faith begins here—believing in the inseparable union of
the Father and the Son. This same faith led St. Peter to proclaim Christ as the
cornerstone of life: “To you who believe, He is precious” (1 Pet 2:7). For
the believer, Jesus is not simply important—He is everything.
Faith in Jesus and Miracles
Jesus finally assures His
disciples that their faith in Him will empower them to continue His mission: “The
one who believes in me will also do the works that I do and, in fact, will do
greater works than these” (Jn 14:12). This is an astonishing promise. Faith
is never passive. True faith makes us participants in the mission of Christ.
Through preaching, healing, forgiveness, and service, believers continue the
saving work of Jesus in the world.
Wherever we go carrying the
presence of Christ, we can be certain that His power accompanies us. His grace
works through ordinary people who trust Him with extraordinary faith. It takes
courage to believe. It takes simplicity of heart to surrender. But when we
trust in Him, His mighty presence sustains us.
Therefore, let us not allow our hearts to be troubled. Let us remember
always: Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life.
Points for Personal
Reflection
Do I
trust in the Lord’s powerful presence during moments of crisis, suffering, and
uncertainty?
Do I
truly know Jesus as my life, my truth, and my only way to reach the Father?
Do I ask
the Lord each day to reveal the father more deeply to me?
Do I live
with the awareness that God is present in my life and walks with me always?
