Galatea
05-07-2004, 01:32 AM
Reading I
http://www.usccb.org/nab/bible/acts/acts13.htm#v26
Acts 13:26-33
When Paul came to Antioch in Pisidia, he said in the synagogue: "My brothers, children of the family of Abraham, and those others among you who are God-fearing, to us this word of salvation has been sent. The inhabitants of Jerusalem and their leaders failed to recognize him, and by condemning him they fulfilled the oracles of the prophets that are read sabbath after sabbath.
For even though they found no grounds for a death sentence, they asked Pilate to have him put to death, and when they had accomplished all that was written about him, they took him down from the tree and placed him in a tomb. But God raised him from the dead, and for many days he appeared to those who had come up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem. These are now his witnesses before the people. We ourselves are proclaiming this good news to you that what God promised our fathers he has brought to fulfillment for us, their children, by raising up Jesus, as it is written in the second psalm, You are my Son; this day I have begotten you."
Responsorial Psalm
http://www.usccb.org/nab/bible/psalms/psalm2.htm#v6
Ps 2:6-7, 8-9, 10-11ab
R (7bc) You are my Son; this day I have begotten you.
"I myself have set up my king
on Zion, my holy mountain."
I will proclaim the decree of the LORD:
The LORD said to me, "You are my Son;
this day I have begotten you."
R You are my Son; this day I have begotten you.
"Ask of me and I will give you
the nations for an inheritance
and the ends of the earth for your possession.
You shall rule them with an iron rod;
you shall shatter them like an earthen dish."
R You are my Son; this day I have begotten you.
And now, O kings, give heed;
take warning, you rulers of the earth.
Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice before him;
with trembling rejoice.
R You are my Son; this day I have begotten you.
Gospel
http://www.usccb.org/nab/bible/john/john14.htm#v1
Jn 14:1-6
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."
Homily Reflection
Peter thinks Jesus should be doing something 'nobler' than washing their feet. Thomas complains that they don't know where he is going - implying that they need a better view of the destination. Philip wants a vision: "Show us the Father, and that will be enough" (tomorrow's reading). All are unsatisfied with what they actually have; they want something 'higher'.
But Jesus points to what they already have: "Thomas...I am the way; Philip...whoever has seen me has seen the Father."
About the same time that John's gospel was being written, Clement of Rome was writing to the Corinthians, "There was a time when you were ...satisfied with the provisions of Christ." (Evidently that day was gone!) Satisfied with what Christ provides for the journey. Now they were looking for something more.
Disciples of every age - including our own - seem to want more than is given. We look for "signs and wonders," bleeding statues, 'messages' etc. But Jesus points to what they/we already have: "Thomas...I am the way; Philip...whoever has seen me has seen the Father."
The scripture is an interesting mix today. It presents some interesting challenges to believers. In Acts, Paul goes to the synagogue in Antioch and greets the Jews there as his brothers. He proclaims to them the good news of Christ. He points out to them that Jesus is the fulfillment of God’s promise described in the second Psalm. In John, Jesus comforts the disciples. He tells them to believe in him. Jesus tells them that he is going to prepare a place for them and that he will come back for them. It is almost encouraging for those of us on the journey that Thomas was right there, talking to Jesus and he still didn’t understand. It might make us feel better when we read scripture and don’t always understand.
The challenge comes at the end of John’s reading. Jesus says I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. It can be a hard teaching. You may be a nice guy. Maybe a good husband and father. Maybe coach or participate in children’s programs. Maybe do all sorts of good deeds. But do you believe Jesus is the way to God?
We live in a society that tells us to mind our own business. Be a good citizen. Live and let live. If someone is doing good deeds, why do they need to hear about Jesus? If someone has all the material comforts they can find in life, why would they need to hear about Jesus? Well, because Christ says so. Christ’s challenge is compounded by the fact that believers are not all angels. Who am I to tell someone that Jesus is the way? The Body of Christ is filled with people who do bad things and are hypocrites. I’m a prime example. So should that be an excuse not to spread the Good News? No. We will never be as good as Christ, but that cannot be our excuse for not telling people about him. Paul walked into the synagogue in Antioch, probably filled with good people, and told them about Jesus. This may be a hard challenge for us. We don’t feel worthy or adequate to present Christ to others. We hate rejection. We are easily embarrassed. We don’t want to offend. What if we drive people away from Jesus? And yet Jesus puts it out there, right in front of us. What a challenge. Sometimes it seems like a formidable task. So how do we do it? To be honest there aren't many answers. Scripture, trust, prayer, example and obedience are keys. Our prayer today is for all of those around the world presenting the Gospel.
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?
"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."
http://www.usccb.org/nab/bible/acts/acts13.htm#v26
Acts 13:26-33
When Paul came to Antioch in Pisidia, he said in the synagogue: "My brothers, children of the family of Abraham, and those others among you who are God-fearing, to us this word of salvation has been sent. The inhabitants of Jerusalem and their leaders failed to recognize him, and by condemning him they fulfilled the oracles of the prophets that are read sabbath after sabbath.
For even though they found no grounds for a death sentence, they asked Pilate to have him put to death, and when they had accomplished all that was written about him, they took him down from the tree and placed him in a tomb. But God raised him from the dead, and for many days he appeared to those who had come up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem. These are now his witnesses before the people. We ourselves are proclaiming this good news to you that what God promised our fathers he has brought to fulfillment for us, their children, by raising up Jesus, as it is written in the second psalm, You are my Son; this day I have begotten you."
Responsorial Psalm
http://www.usccb.org/nab/bible/psalms/psalm2.htm#v6
Ps 2:6-7, 8-9, 10-11ab
R (7bc) You are my Son; this day I have begotten you.
"I myself have set up my king
on Zion, my holy mountain."
I will proclaim the decree of the LORD:
The LORD said to me, "You are my Son;
this day I have begotten you."
R You are my Son; this day I have begotten you.
"Ask of me and I will give you
the nations for an inheritance
and the ends of the earth for your possession.
You shall rule them with an iron rod;
you shall shatter them like an earthen dish."
R You are my Son; this day I have begotten you.
And now, O kings, give heed;
take warning, you rulers of the earth.
Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice before him;
with trembling rejoice.
R You are my Son; this day I have begotten you.
Gospel
http://www.usccb.org/nab/bible/john/john14.htm#v1
Jn 14:1-6
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."
Homily Reflection
Peter thinks Jesus should be doing something 'nobler' than washing their feet. Thomas complains that they don't know where he is going - implying that they need a better view of the destination. Philip wants a vision: "Show us the Father, and that will be enough" (tomorrow's reading). All are unsatisfied with what they actually have; they want something 'higher'.
But Jesus points to what they already have: "Thomas...I am the way; Philip...whoever has seen me has seen the Father."
About the same time that John's gospel was being written, Clement of Rome was writing to the Corinthians, "There was a time when you were ...satisfied with the provisions of Christ." (Evidently that day was gone!) Satisfied with what Christ provides for the journey. Now they were looking for something more.
Disciples of every age - including our own - seem to want more than is given. We look for "signs and wonders," bleeding statues, 'messages' etc. But Jesus points to what they/we already have: "Thomas...I am the way; Philip...whoever has seen me has seen the Father."
The scripture is an interesting mix today. It presents some interesting challenges to believers. In Acts, Paul goes to the synagogue in Antioch and greets the Jews there as his brothers. He proclaims to them the good news of Christ. He points out to them that Jesus is the fulfillment of God’s promise described in the second Psalm. In John, Jesus comforts the disciples. He tells them to believe in him. Jesus tells them that he is going to prepare a place for them and that he will come back for them. It is almost encouraging for those of us on the journey that Thomas was right there, talking to Jesus and he still didn’t understand. It might make us feel better when we read scripture and don’t always understand.
The challenge comes at the end of John’s reading. Jesus says I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. It can be a hard teaching. You may be a nice guy. Maybe a good husband and father. Maybe coach or participate in children’s programs. Maybe do all sorts of good deeds. But do you believe Jesus is the way to God?
We live in a society that tells us to mind our own business. Be a good citizen. Live and let live. If someone is doing good deeds, why do they need to hear about Jesus? If someone has all the material comforts they can find in life, why would they need to hear about Jesus? Well, because Christ says so. Christ’s challenge is compounded by the fact that believers are not all angels. Who am I to tell someone that Jesus is the way? The Body of Christ is filled with people who do bad things and are hypocrites. I’m a prime example. So should that be an excuse not to spread the Good News? No. We will never be as good as Christ, but that cannot be our excuse for not telling people about him. Paul walked into the synagogue in Antioch, probably filled with good people, and told them about Jesus. This may be a hard challenge for us. We don’t feel worthy or adequate to present Christ to others. We hate rejection. We are easily embarrassed. We don’t want to offend. What if we drive people away from Jesus? And yet Jesus puts it out there, right in front of us. What a challenge. Sometimes it seems like a formidable task. So how do we do it? To be honest there aren't many answers. Scripture, trust, prayer, example and obedience are keys. Our prayer today is for all of those around the world presenting the Gospel.
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?
"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."