May 1, 2015

Let Christ Guide You

Had we been alongside of Thomas during the Lord’s Last Discourse, would we have been as confused as he was? The Lord is leaving us and he’s talking as though we know where he’s going; he even says we know the way to where he’s going. But as with Thomas the only thing we can say is, “Lord, we don’t know where you’re going. How can we know the way?”

Maybe Thomas wasn’t expecting Jesus to clear up the mystery. Maybe he only wanted a few words that would lessen his bewilderment and enable him to survive the separation Jesus was foretelling. Jesus had told the apostles, “Do not let your hearts be troubled.” Maybe Thomas wanted more assurance along this line.

And today, we’re aware that Jesus will not step in and change the situation that pains us so, or miraculously cure the terminally ill, or show us the way to a buried treasure, or suddenly transform a person’s character. We accept this. We want to be told again and again by Jesus, “Do not let your hearts be troubled.”

And so, perhaps, we have to focus our minds and hearts on the last words Jesus speaks in today’s Gospel, “I am the way, the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through me.”

We need only stretch out our hand and let Jesus take it and guide us, we need only walk with him. He is the way that will lead us to the truth that he is, to the fullness of life that he has promised us, to the Father.

One Bread, One Body

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All Issues > Volume 31, Issue 3

<< Friday, May 1, 2015 >>

St. Joseph the Worker

Acts 13:26-33
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Psalm 2:6-11

John 14:1-6
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AN IDENTIFICATION PAPER

"We ourselves announce to you the good news that what God promised our fathers He has fulfilled for us, their children, in raising up Jesus, according to what is written in the second psalm, 'You are My Son; this day I have begotten You.' " —Acts 13:32-33

Paul preached that Jesus' resurrection from the dead was referred to in "the second psalm, 'You are My Son; this day I have begotten You' " (Acts 13:33; see Ps 2:7). Paul implied that Jesus' resurrection was a new birth in which Jesus was designated as the eternal Son of God (see Rm 1:4). This shows why the Church has connected the celebration of Jesus' resurrection with the new birth of Baptism and with our renewal of the baptismal promises. If we fully accept God's grace in this Easter season, the Spirit will cry out in our hearts "Abba" ("Father") (Gal 4:6; Rm 8:15). We will be confirmed as baptized sons and daughters of God the Father.

As we become increasingly aware of our identity as God's children "begotten from above" (Jn 3:3), we dare to pray with and in Jesus that our Father give us "the nations for an inheritance and the ends of the earth" for our possession (Ps 2:8). We then claim our inheritance by making "disciples of all the nations" (Mt 28:19). We become witnesses for the risen Jesus (Acts 1:8), the uniquely begotten Son of God (see Jn 3:16).

Sons and daughters of God, keep renewing and living your new birth and new life to give birth to a new world (see Ps 104:30).

Prayer: Father, may I know who I am in Christ and act accordingly.

Promise: "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Have faith in God and faith in Me." —Jn 14:1

Praise: St. Joseph the carpenter trained Jesus in the skill of construction and building. Jesus built a Church which has lasted two-thousand years.