5 Easter Sunday – 20 04. 2008

Reading 1 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.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 33:1-2, 4-5, 18-19

R. (22) Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Exult, you just, in the LORD;
praise from the upright is fitting.
Give thanks to the LORD on the harp;
with the ten-stringed lyre chant his praises.
R. Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Upright is the word of the LORD,
and all his works are trustworthy.
He loves justice and right;
of the kindness of the LORD the earth is full.
R. Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you.
or:
R. Alleluia.
See, the eyes of the LORD are upon those who fear him,
upon those who hope for his kindness,
To deliver them from death
and preserve them in spite of famine.
R. Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you.
or:
R. Alleluia.

Reading II 1 Pt 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.

Gospel Jn 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.”

“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

What is the deepest meaning of these words of Jesus Christ? Why Jesus call Himself the Way, the Truth and the Life. What He would like to tell me by this statement?

"The Way" - Strange words from Christ, calling himself "the way." Not, I can show you the way. Not, here is a guide book to follow. Jesus says, "I am the way."

"The Truth" - and we know that He said also: “If you remain in my word, you will truly be my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” Jn 8:31-31

but also: “For this I was born and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice."” Jn 18:37

"The Life" – “Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes in the one who sent me has eternal life” Jn 5:24

“Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever believes has eternal life. I am the bread of life.” Jn 6:47

“Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him on the last day.” Jn 6:54

What does it mean for me that Jesus is my Way, My Truth and my life?

Few days ago I was listening with a certain curiosity a discussion of some of my friends. One of them tried to proof that for us Christians and Catholics Jesus is an option, that we have a choice, that we as priests we shouldn’t press and push the Catholics in their moral and religious decisions.

It was really a peculiar dissertation in the mouths of a priest. Later on I read these words, the words of today’s Gospel: “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” and I clearly realized that for me Jesus is not an option, not a choice not a possibility, not an alternative!!!

Jesus as the Way, the Truth and the Life is for me not an option … He is an obligation with all consequences of this statement!!

Jesus is the only WAY of my life and I shouldn’t have any other paths or passages, which are not in accordance with HIM!

He is the only TRUTH in my life, and I shouldn’t believe any other truths or create my private religious or moral truths!

Jesus is not an option He is my LIFE, because what is the other option besides LIFE ??? The DEATH!!!