“I am the way, and the truth, and the life” (John 14: 6)

Fifth Sunday of Easter

Acts 6:1-7
As the number of disciples continued to grow, the Hellenists complained against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution. So the Twelve called together the community of the disciples and said, "It is not right for us to neglect the word of God to serve at table. Brothers, select from among you seven reputable men, filled with the Spirit and wisdom, whom we shall appoint to this task, whereas we shall devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word." The proposal was acceptable to the whole community, so they chose Stephen, a man filled with faith and the Holy Spirit, also Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicholas of Antioch, a convert to Judaism. They presented these men to the apostles who prayed and laid hands on them. The word of God continued to spread, and the number of the disciples in Jerusalem increased greatly; even a large group of priests were becoming obedient to the faith.

1 Peter 2:4-9
Beloved: Come to him, a living stone, rejected by human beings but chosen and precious in the sight of God, and, like living stones, let yourselves be built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For it says in Scripture: Behold, I am laying a stone in Zion, a cornerstone, chosen and precious, and whoever believes in it shall not be put to shame. Therefore, its value is for you who have faith, but for those without faith: The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone, and A stone that will make people stumble, and a rock that will make them fall. They stumble by disobeying the word, as is their destiny. You are "a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people of his own, so that you may announce the praises" of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.

John 14:1-12
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. If you know me, then you will also know my Father. From now on you do know him and have seen him." Philip said to him, "Master, show us the Father, and that will be enough for us." Jesus said to him, "Have I been with you for so long a time and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, 'Show us the Father'? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on my own. The Father who dwells in me is doing his works. Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else, believe because of the works themselves. Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever believes in me will do the works that I do, and will do greater ones than these, because I am going to the Father."

In this Sunday's Gospel reading, Jesus tells us in no uncertain terms the way to the kingdom of heaven. Jesus is the way. We must live out the truth - Jesus' teachings - during our earthly journey if we are to reach our eternal destination in the kingdom of heaven and to have eternal life.

We live in an affluent society which makes it somewhat easier to live out some of Jesus' teachings, such as loving our neighbors far and near through giving generously. But it is the same affluence which makes it harder for us to live well spiritually. We tend to treat ourselves too well and we may become more lax in our ways or even become indulgent in things of this world. What can we do to sharpen our minds against the pitfalls of affluent living which may cause harm to our souls?

Let us listen to St. Peter's exhortation in the second reading. He reminds the faithful “to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ” (Second reading, 1 Peter 2:5). Other than prayers, devotions or scripture readings, another spiritual sacrifice that comes to mind is self-denial. Big self-denials are not easy but we can start small, like denying ourselves of a fancy coffee and replacing it with a regular cup several days a week or giving up some social media time or game time every day. As we enjoy our regular coffee and restrictively use our smart phones or tablets, we remind ourselves that we are offering a spiritual sacrifice, albeit a tiny one, to God Almighty.

Let us pray that we be enlightened to find spiritual sacrifices as an offering to God in our own circumstances. Let us practice such sacrifice consistently and with humility so that our offering may be pleasing to God, help us remain as “God's own people” and be worthy for Jesus who has called us “out of darkness into his marvelous light” (Second reading, 1 Peter 2:9). Let us do all we can in our power to stay in Jesus' way as we walk towards our eternal destination in the kingdom of heaven.

The Way the Truth and the Life

Shiu Lan

Shiu Lan is your Catholic neighbour with a simple faith and likes praying the Rosary. With a B.Sc from the University of Hong Kong, she worked in Information Technology and Project Management before working with joy at home.

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