5th Sunday of Easter - May 22 Rdgs and Reflection

The Readings:
May 22, 2011
Liturgical Year A, Cycle I
Fifth Sunday of Easter



First Reading: Acts 6:1-7
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 33:1-2, 4-5, 18-19
Second Reading: 1 Peter 2:4-9
Gospel: John 14:1-12


These readings can be viewed at http://www.usccb.org/nab/052211.shtml.


Gospel Reflection



Our Gospel reading this Sunday challenges us to keep our focus entirely on Jesus, and promises us some special help to keep that focus strong. Remember that this passage comes from the Lord’s Last Supper discourse. The first thing that Jesus mentions to His disciples is not to let their hearts be troubled. Why are they troubled? They don’t know exactly what is going to happen, but the disciples know that they are about to undergo a stressful situation: Jesus had predicted that His life would be taken from Him, and the disciples know that time is near. Jesus now acknowledges they are ‘stressed out’, and tries to comfort them. Notice how He doesn’t try to get them off the hook or remove them from suffering. Rather, He tries to console them, and assures them that if they hang in there, they will not be alone. In this Gospel we see that Christ promises them a special place, meaning a place of reward for them in heaven. It is crucial for us as Christians not to think of the earth as a final resting place but a testing place to prepare us for heaven. (In this way it can be said that earth is like Purgatory.) Jesus also promises the disciples intimacy with the Father, which comes from intimacy with Jesus. This is what all of us long for, an intimacy that fills the empty hole inside each one of us and gives us true joy. It is important for us to see ourselves in the place of the disciples, in that Jesus makes all these promises to us as well. Many will doubt that God loves them and wants intimacy with them, but Christ’s tells us that His works will be the proof. What great works has Christ done? Christ shows us that God is so serious about intimacy with us that He died for us out of love. Christ then promises that we will do even greater works than He! How can this happen? Our great works will come when we die to ourselves and allow Christ to live in us. He Himself will give us the strength to do this through the Holy Spirit. The greatest example of God working through him is when someone offers his life for the Lord, whether it is in the day to day opportunities of life, or through actual martyrdom. The Church has always grown in times of martyrdom and strong witness, even though it cost many their physical lives. These are our opportunities for great works, and through them the Church will always grow. You and I are called to continue these great works today. No matter the place God puts us, we are called to put our complete faith and trust in Him. We are called to have total confidence in His love for us. May God grant us the strength to always grow deeper in our love in intimacy with Him, and in doing so, may we be an instrument of His love to everyone we encounter.


Reflection Questions


1. Christ promises that we who believe in Him will do greater works that He did. What kind of works is Jesus talking about? Give real-life examples.


2. In our day-to-day struggles, what events seem to ‘trouble’ our hearts the most? Give personal examples.


3. How is Jesus the Way, the Truth and the Light of your life? Give personal examples.