Jesus, The Way, The Truth, and The Life

Fifth Sunday of Lent

03 May 2026

 

First Reading: Acts 6:1-7

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

Second Reading: 1 Peter 2:4-9

Gospel: John 14:1-12

 

Reflection

By: Carlo Alexis Malaluan

 

When I was going through old photos of my late mother, I came across pictures from her youth I had never seen before. In one, she was dancing in a school program—full of life and confidence. In another, she stood proudly as the leader of a Girl Scout troop. And I found myself thinking: How is it that I lived with her for so many years… and never knew these parts of her? I knew her—but not fully. There were depths, stories, and experiences that remained hidden to me, even in our closeness.

This is precisely the tension we see in the apostles. The apostles had something far greater than photographs. They had Jesus Christ himself. They lived with Jesus Christ—they walked with him, prayed with him, shared meals with him. They listened as he taught, watched as he revealed the heart of God, and received more than anyone could have hoped for. And yet, after all that, one of them still says: “Lord, show us the Father, and that will be enough for us.”

It is a startling moment. Because it reveals that proximity is not the same as a relationship. It is possible to be close… and still not fully know. You can be near Jesus and still not fully recognize him. You can hear his words and still not let them take root. Jesus’ response is both gentle and piercing: “Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me?”

That question reaches across the centuries. And perhaps that is where many of us find ourselves. We have been “with” Jesus for years: through prayer, through the Church, through the rhythms of faith. We can live a “religious” life and yet remain restless, still asking for proof, still waiting for something more. Not because he is hidden, but because we have not yet opened those spaces in our lives to him. And maybe that is the quiet danger of familiarity. When someone has been part of our life for so long, we can begin to assume we already know them. We stop asking questions. We stop paying attention. We settle into a comfortable, surface-level knowing. But Jesus is never exhausted by our understanding of him. That is why his words to Philip the Apostle carry both a correction and an invitation: “Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me?” This is not a rejection but a call to go deeper. So perhaps the real question is not simply, “Do I know Jesus?” But: “Am I still allowing him to reveal himself to me? Or have I already decided who he is and stopped looking any further?” Because the greatest tragedy is not ignorance from a distance. It is familiarity without depth. To know Jesus is not simply to accumulate teachings or perform good works. It is to recognize, with clarity and trust, that in him we have already seen the Father. That in him, nothing essential is missing. That in him, the search finds its end. Jesus never stops revealing himself. He continues to remind us who he is, especially when we begin to forget. Because we do forget. When uncertainty clouds our minds, when fear takes hold, when life becomes heavy or confusing, we lose clarity. And in those moments, Jesus speaks again, not with something new, but with something eternal: “I am. I am the way, and the truth, and the life.” Not “I will show you a way someday” or neither “I was the way in the past” but “I am”. Right now at this moment, in the middle of your uncertainty. He calls our attention to his presence.

And slowly, our lives begin to reflect that certainty not perfectly, but genuinely. We begin to live not as people still searching in the dark, but as those who have glimpsed the light and are learning to walk in it.

Say what you mean

Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time 

15 February 2026

 

First Reading: Sirach 15:15-20

Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 119:1-2, 4-5, 17-18

Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 2:6-10

Gospel: Matthew 5:17-37

 

Reflection

By: Grace B. Madriñan

 

Today’s Gospel is quite a long one and there are a lot of good points for which we can base our reflection on. 

But this one caught my attention.

“Let your 'Yes' mean 'Yes,' and your 'No' mean 'No.' Anything more is from the evil one." - Matthew 5:37

Today’s Gospel is a reiteration of some of the ten commandments and this verse came along in the end. The verse reminds me of “white lies”, “gray areas”, or “half truths”. How many of us are playing with these excuses once in a while? 

How many of us say the food tastes great (when it is totally not) when asked by a loved one who just learned a new recipe? How many wives are saying they are fine when asked by their husbands how they were? How many of us answer “Yes” when our minds clearly say “No”.

Why can’t we tell the truth? Do we fear disappointing others? Do we fear judgement or rejection? Do we tell white lies to gain acceptance or affection? Or do we just avoid conflict and further explanations. 

Whatever our reasons, our seemingly harmless white lies will send us to the Gehenna as per today’s Gospel. Regardless of the circumstance of the white lies, it is still not telling the truth. Half truths are also half lies. And any lie is a sin. No excuses.

Today’s Gospel tells us to be mindful to “say what we mean and mean what we say” always. After all, "The truth shall set us free" (John 8:32), the recipient of our words shall be free from fallacy while we shall be from the bondage of sin.

Prayer

Dear Father, forgive our habitual sins of white lies or half truths. Teach us to always be mindful of our thoughts and words. May Your truth always remain. Amen. 

Jesus Christ, King of Truth!

    

The Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe

24 November 2024

 

First Reading: Dn 7:13-14

Responsorial Psalm: Ps 93:1, 1-2, 5

Second Reading: Rv 1:5-8

Gospel: Jn 18:33b-37

 

Reflection

By: Benj Santiago

 

"You say I am a king. 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."

Jesus' message is clear when He said He came to testify to the truth to expose the falsehood and deception of the world and the teachings of the Pharisees and Sadducees of His time. He came to reveal the Father's love, mercy, forgiveness, and generosity.

To listen to His voice in my daily activities and interaction with people around me is to follow His teachings, and examples of humility, service, compassion, healing, guidance, and above all, love. It is very challenging in many instances even with the people I love.

I examine my conscience if I am truly listening to Him or to the lies of the world. I find myself still failing in many instances.

Prayer

Dear Jesus, we humbly implore You to continue to make Your truth known to us. Forgive our shortcomings, remove all the lies in our minds and hearts, and send Your spirit of generosity and love. We pray this in Your Name, Amen.

Source of Truth

    

Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time

25 June 2023

 

First Reading: Jer 20:10-13

Responsorial Psalm: Ps 69:8-10, 14, 17, 33-35

Second Reading: Rom 5:12-15

Gospel: Mt 10:26-33

 

Reflection

By: Grace B. Madrinan

 

"Fear no one. Nothing is concealed that will not be revealed, nor a secret that will not be known." - Matthew 10:26

Have you ever watched some news on television? Unless you are living under a rock, you definitely watch some news whether you like it or not, either on television or social media. Have you ever seen someone in the news which made your blood boil? I can definitely see some hands raising up, including mine.

I don't know why I don't like this politician that much. Not that he did something personally to me or to my family, but I did know the history behind his family and his wealth. Well, some of his followers will definitely dispute that version of history. With their influence and power, they can definitely create another truth favorable to rectify their image.

Good thing the Gospel today is a consolotation to my worried mind, "Fear no one. Nothing is concealed that will not be revealed nor secret that will not be known" (Matthew 10:26). If we are for truth, then God is with us.

So if this politician is insincere and has ill intentions, I can be assured that it is just a matter of time before the truth is revealed. And if we believe and love God, we will be protected for "we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him" (Romans 8:38).

Furthermore, there is judgement.

"Everyone who acknowledges me before others

I will acknowledge before my heavenly Father.

But whoever denies me before others,

I will deny it before my heavenly Father." - Matthew 10:32-33

So we will remain faithful to God who is the ultimate Source of Truth and fear not.

Prayer

Father, evil is all around spreading deceit into the world. May we be able to discern the truth and fear not the works of men but rather fear the consequences of sin. Amen.

May Our Talents Glorify God

   

  Twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time

18 September 2022 

 

First Reading: Am 8:4-7

Responsorial Psalm: Ps 113:1-2, 4-6, 7-8

Second Reading: 1 Tm 2:1-8

Gospel: Lk 16:1-13

 

Reflection

By: Gharri Tulabut

 

It really amazes me how students can come up with different tactics on how to cheat during an examination. In my personal experience with my students, small things such as making noise to signal whether the answer is A, B, C, or D is a common thing.  Some would even make their own alphabet and write kodigos right there on the board before my very eyes. Oh, I can only wonder what other techniques they come up with especially recently that they take quizzes online. Have you seen the movie Bad Genius? Students in that movie are for me the Mafia or drug lords of cheating.

One time, before an exam, I made a speech before my students, “We hate cheaters, don’t we? Cheaters in business. Cheaters in the government. But here you are, helping each other planning a scheme on how to cheat in small things such as these exams. We hate cheaters in relationships, but here you are young boyfriends and girlfriends helping each other cheat in your quizzes.” Then I even made a false claim, ”Well, studies say that cheaters in class becomes cheaters in relationships.” I think I heard someone say “That’s why we don’t believe in studies.” Hahaha.

What really amazes me is the fact that those who cheat, whether in class or in any other aspect of life, can spend so much energy in planning and executing their shrewd deed. Why not use this energy in doing the right things? Like instead on planning where to write the answers inside the classroom or what signals to use for the answers, why not use the energy to study? Instead of planning a scheme on how to cheat in business, why not plan on how to please the customers to have a loyal customer base? Or plan on how to improve the product.

Today in the Gospel, Jesus praised the shrewd steward in the parable. I am sure the steward was not commended for his cheating but rather for his strategic abilities. If only he could use this ability for good. Same is true with us. God has blessed us with wonderful talents. If only we could use these talents and our energy in doing God’s works on earth. God will truly be glorified.

Prayer

We thank you Father for our talents. May we use these talents to do Your works. May these talents bear fruit that will give back the glory to You. Amen.

Rock the Boat

   

  Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time

07 August 2022 

 

First Reading: Jer 38:4-6, 8-10

Responsorial Psalm: Ps 40:2, 3, 4, 18

Second Reading: Heb 12:1-4

Gospel: Lk 12:49-53

 

Reflection

By: Grace Madrinan

 

"Do you think that I have come to establish peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division." - Luke 12:51

When I read the Gospel today, the best example I can think of is abortion among others. The US Supreme Court eliminated the constitutional right to an abortion last month and it blew up the news with protests everywhere. For a predominantly Christian country like the Phippines, it would not be a big deal, since most Filipinos would accept that killing an innocent life is a sin.

But in the US, it's a different story. I can hear in every meme or in the chant that says, "My body, my right." They mock Christians for imposing the law and imposing their "religion" to them. They wanted to be left alone with their choice since they don't believe in God anyway.

But I was glad that there is a division in the US about abortion right now. I have always thought that US have long treated abortion as legal. To have a "change of heart" means that their Christianity is still alive. It means hope is not at all lost.

So when Jesus talks about division in today's Gospel, it means being vocal about the truth of the Word regardless of whoever you are up against. It is about standing your ground for the sake of the Gospel. Are we going to remain silent in order to achieve peace or rock the boat to defend the Gospel?

Prayer

Father teach us to be bold and be brave for the sake of the Gospel. Amen.

Jesus, the King of Truth!

 The Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of Universe 22 November 2020

 First Reading                                                            EZ 34:11-12, 15-17

Thus says the Lord GOD:
I myself will look after and tend my sheep. 
As a shepherd tends his flock
when he finds himself among his scattered sheep,
so will I tend my sheep.
I will rescue them from every place where they were scattered
when it was cloudy and dark. 
I myself will pasture my sheep;
I myself will give them rest, says the Lord GOD. 
The lost I will seek out,
the strayed I will bring back,
the injured I will bind up,
the sick I will heal,
but the sleek and the strong I will destroy,
shepherding them rightly.

As for you, my sheep, says the Lord GOD,
I will judge between one sheep and another,
between rams and goats.

Second Reading                                                   1 COR 15:20-26, 28

 

Brothers and sisters:
Christ has been raised from the dead,
the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 
For since death came through man,
the resurrection of the dead came also through man.
For just as in Adam all die,
so too in Christ shall all be brought to life,
but each one in proper order:
Christ the firstfruits;
then, at his coming, those who belong to Christ;
then comes the end,
when he hands over the kingdom to his God and Father,
when he has destroyed every sovereignty
and every authority and power. 
For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. 
The last enemy to be destroyed is death.
When everything is subjected to him,
then the Son himself will also be subjected
to the one who subjected everything to him,
so that God may be all in all.

Gospel                                                                        MT 25:31-46

Jesus said to his disciples:
"When the Son of Man comes in his glory,
and all the angels with him,
he will sit upon his glorious throne,
and all the nations will be assembled before him.
And he will separate them one from another,
as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.
He will place the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.
Then the king will say to those on his right,
'Come, you who are blessed by my Father.
Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.
For I was hungry and you gave me food,
I was thirsty and you gave me drink,
a stranger and you welcomed me,
naked and you clothed me,
ill and you cared for me,
in prison and you visited me.’
Then the righteous will answer him and say,
'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you,
or thirsty and give you drink?
When did we see you a stranger and welcome you,
or naked and clothe you?
When did we see you ill or in prison, and visit you?’
And the king will say to them in reply,
'Amen, I say to you, whatever you did
for one of the least brothers of mine, you did for me.’
Then he will say to those on his left,
'Depart from me, you accursed,
into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.
For I was hungry and you gave me no food,
I was thirsty and you gave me no drink,
a stranger and you gave me no welcome,
naked and you gave me no clothing,
ill and in prison, and you did not care for me.’
Then they will answer and say,
'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty
or a stranger or naked or ill or in prison,
and not minister to your needs?’
He will answer them, 'Amen, I say to you,
what you did not do for one of these least ones,
you did not do for me.’
And these will go off to eternal punishment,
but the righteous to eternal life.

 

Reflection

By: Art Reyes

 

Today is the Solemnity of Christ the King, the King of universe. This is also the day when we as a Church, conclude our liturgical year. In today's Gospel we proclaim the great mystery of our faith. By his crucifixion, Jesus is shown to be the King and Savior of all. Christ is our King!

Many of our leaders today are very privileged, untouchable, and unjust. It is because they think that their power is endless, that they can manipulate anyone's mind. A true king leads us to truth, serves not himself but the very people who look up to him.

I recently heard a story about somebody asking an archaeologist about when they thought civilization appeared in the human race. We would think that the evidence of early civilization would be wall carvings on an explored cave or finding ancient clay pots. But the archaeologist answered that it was a broken thigh bone.

In the ancient world, a broken leg meant death. A broken leg made you easy prey, you could not hunt to get food, and you could not get to the river to drink. Somebody had to take the time to protect, feed, and tend to the injured person, nursing them back to health until they could do the tasks that they needed to do to survive by themselves. This is the first sign of civilization: someone caring for the life of another.

The social media that we are hooked into now is a platform that are full of lies, deceit, and distractions. There are people whose livelihood is to tell lies in favor of their patrons--usually the politicians who are addicted to power. The civility among us is almost extinct as we exchange hurtful words, insults, and lies to save our pride in the lost argument. We have lost the ability to interact with one another authentically. We have stopped caring for each other.

The social media may end the culture and human civilization. Or has it already? We need our God the most at this time so we can stay focused on the truth. Let us continue to faithfully listen to His voice.

Let us be reminded that there is One who is the truth. All worldly power, influences, and wealth will pass. Let us not be influences by lies by those who are in power. We owe them nothing.

Only Christ is our King! The King of Truth!

 

Prayer 

 

O Lord Jesus Christ, You are the way, the life, and the truth. Help me to live in truth, to speak it, to experience it, and to share it. Lord, You are King! Amen.

 

 

Good Stewards

Twenty-seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time

04 October 2020
First reading Isaiah 51:1-7

Let me now sing of my friend,

my friend's song concerning his vineyard.

My friend had a vineyard

on a fertile hillside;

he spaded it, cleared it of stones,

and planted the choicest vines;

within it he built a watchtower,

and hewed out a wine press.

Then he looked for the crop of grapes,

but what it yielded was wild grapes.

Now, inhabitants of Jerusalem and people of Judah,

judge between me and my vineyard:

What more was there to do for my vineyard

that I had not done?

Why, when I looked for the crop of grapes,

did it bring forth wild grapes?

Now, I will let you know

what I mean to do with my vineyard:

take away its hedge, give it to grazing,

break through its wall, let it be trampled!

Yes, I will make it a ruin:

it shall not be pruned or hoed,

but overgrown with thorns and briers;

I will command the clouds

not to send rain upon it.

The vineyard of the LORD of hosts is the house of Israel,

and the people of Judah are his cherished plant;

he looked for judgment, but see, bloodshed!

for justice, but hark, the outcry!

Second reading                                                          Philippians 4:6-9

Brothers and sisters:

Have no anxiety at all, but in everything,

by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving,

make your requests known to God.

Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding

will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.Finally, brothers and sisters,

whatever is true, whatever is honorable,

whatever is just, whatever is pure,

whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious,

if there is any excellence

and if there is anything worthy of praise,

think about these things.

Keep on doing what you have learned and received

and heard and seen in me.

Then the God of peace will be with you.

Gospel                                                                          Matthew 21:33-43

Jesus said to the chief priests and the elders of the people:

"Hear another parable.

There was a landowner who planted a vineyard,

put a hedge around it, dug a wine press in it, and built a tower. 

Then he leased it to tenants and went on a journey.

When vintage time drew near,

he sent his servants to the tenants to obtain his produce. 

But the tenants seized the servants and one they beat,

another they killed, and a third they stoned. 

Again he sent other servants, more numerous than the first ones,

but they treated them in the same way. 

Finally, he sent his son to them, thinking,

'They will respect my son.'

But when the tenants saw the son, they said to one another,

'This is the heir.

Come, let us kill him and acquire his inheritance.’

They seized him, threw him out of the vineyard, and killed him. 

What will the owner of the vineyard do to those tenants when he comes?"

They answered him,

"He will put those wretched men to a wretched death

and lease his vineyard to other tenants

who will give him the produce at the proper times."

Jesus said to them, "Did you never read in the Scriptures:

The stone that the builders rejected

has become the cornerstone;

by the Lord has this been done,

and it is wonderful in our eyes?

Therefore, I say to you,

the kingdom of God will be taken away from you

and given to a people that will produce its fruit."

Reflection

By Theresa Ballo

The theme of today’s readings is about vineyards and seeing the fruit of one’s labor. In the Gospel, Jesus shares the story of a vine owner who leases the vineyard to others who seek only their own benefit from fruits of the vineyard. Too obvious it may seem, God is like the owner of the vineyard. The servants are the prophets from the Old Testament. They were sent by God to be messengers and protectors of his creation. The Son is Jesus. The son dragged outside the vineyard is Jesus’ passion and death on the cross.

The readings made me think of the things, people and events God has given me. Going more into thinking made me feel grateful and happy yet going deeper into the depths of my thoughts, I asked this question to myself, what have I done with all God has entrusted to me? In spite of a few true friends, supportive boyfriend and a loving family, there are still nights where I feel all alone. I know I am doing my part maximizing God’s gifts to me like for example the gift of emphatic listening. I listened very well, without judgment, without pre-conceived notion. Yet, in most cases I feel drained and tired of listening to people’s trauma, pains and desolations. Sometimes they bring back my own childhood trauma. Sometimes, I feel worthless especially when I cannot do anything to help. My powers are limited. My skills fell short. I have been given many tools that I can use in order to care for the part of the vineyard which God has let me work. I am sometimes tempted as the tenants in the Gospel, to be greedy and see what I can get out of the crop just for myself.

At night I ask myself, am I still willing to help them carry their crosses faithfully and be exemplary counselor and journey with them in their highs and lows? Maybe, this is my cross too. Maybe this is what I have been called to do. As St. Therese of Lisieux is famous for her “little way”, in which she said, no amount of effort, no matter how small, is insignificant in the effort for the conversion of souls and glory of God. I tell this to myself. I would like to be like her. She had her moments of being insane too but she became a saint, a doctor of the Church in fact.

At the start of this pandemic in the Philippines, I feel sorry and I also cried to all the fallen heroes. To the doctors, health professionals and frontliners who willingly sacrificed their lives in the service of their professions. Yet as months progresses, there are the “other” frontliners who are courageous to give their time and skills listening to people’s mental health issues, helping people manage and lessen their anxieties, extending spark of hope so people can continue to choose to live and to breathe. Simply because they cannot say “no” to the inner crops in their soul. They listened to it and stay faithful to their call.

At this time of global pandemic, we are all invited to be beacons of God’s light, truth and hope. This may expose both the best and worst of humanity but we should bear witness to God’s love and show His love to one another in these trying moments.

PRAYER

Blessed are you, O Lord God, provider and owner of all things. Through Your goodness, You have gifted us with care of those who You have entrusted to us. We ask that we may continue to be good stewards and give back to You the praise, glory, and honor that is due to You. May we follow the example of Your Son in the way that He treated and cared for Your people. In this way, we can experience true and lasting peach which is beyond all understanding. Amen.

Encourage

Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time 03 February 2019
First reading Jeremiah 1:4-5, 17-19

In the days of Josiah, the word of the Lord came to me saying,

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.” But you, gird up your loins; stand up and tell them everything that I command you. Do not break down before them, or I will break you before them. And I for my part have made you today a fortified city, an iron pillar, and a bronze wall, against the whole land-against the kings of Judah, its princes, its priests, and the people of the land. They will fight against you; but they shall not prevail against you, for I am with you, says the Lord, to deliver you.

Second reading                                                          1 Corinthians 12:31-13:13

But earnestly desire the higher gifts. And I will show you a still more excellent way. If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing.

Love is patient and kind; love is not jealous or boastful; it is not arrogant or rude. Love does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrong, but rejoices in the right. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

Love never ends; as for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away. For our knowledge is imperfect and our prophecy is imperfect; but when the perfect comes, the imperfect will pass away. When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child; when I became a man, I gave up childish ways. For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall understand fully, even as I have been fully understood. So faith, hope, love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

Gospel                                                                         Luke 4:21-30

Jesus began to say to them in the synagogue, “Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.” All spoke well of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his mouth. They said, “Is not this Joseph’s son?”

He said to them, “Doubtless you will quote to me this proverb, ‘Doctor, cure yourself!’ And you will say, ‘Do here also in your hometown the things that we have heard you did at Capernaum.'” And he said, “Truly I tell you, no prophet is accepted in his own hometown. But the truth is, there were many widows in Israel in the time of Elijah, when the heaven was shut up three years and six months, and there was a severe famine over all the land; yet Elijah was sent to none of them except to a widow at Zarephath in Sidon. There were also many lepers in Israel in the time of the prophet Elisha, and none of them was cleansed except Naaman the Syrian.”

When they heard this, all in the synagogue were filled with rage. They got up, drove him out of the town, and led him to the brow of the hill on which their town was built, so that they might hurl him off the cliff. But he passed through the midst of them and went on his way.

Reflection

By Grace B. Madriñan

“And He said, "Amen, I say to you, no prophet is accepted in his own native place.” – Luke 4:24

I have to admit,  I am one of the skeptics like those people in the Gospel today. I don’t easily believe or trust what I see.  I would often judge them based on their background and doubt if they were as good as what they seem.  Like when an acquaintance publishes a book or came up to me as a motivational speaker, I would be the last to buy their book or even attend their talk.  In my mind, I would think “How come in a short span of time, he was able to come up with a book? “ or “Is there something new I can learn from this guy?” I was too proud. Very un-Christian of me, eh?

But after a while, I would snap out of it …my prejudiced self will take a back seat. In the end, I would find myself hoarding the books and attending their training.

In today’s Gospel, even Jesus did not escape skeptics like me.  He was under their scrutinizing magnifying lens and checking His moves.  They thought of Him as “too good to be true”  for someone who is just a carpenter’s son.  They are waiting for any sign that will reveal His fraudulence.  But then,  Jesus continued to amaze them with His works, an authority beyond their understanding.

Nowadays,  where we are surrounded with fraud and fake news,  it is but right to put due diligence to research before labeling it as truth or lie. But if we meet persons who speak truth and their acts bring good fruit, then we need to applaud and encourage them regardless of who they were in the past. 

“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” - Hebrews 10:24-25

Prayer

Father God, often we are dominated by our prejudices that we fail to see Your works through our brothers and sisters. Be more patient with us, Father and open our eyes and hearts to see their goodness so that we may encourage one another and glorify You through our unity. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

The Only Way

“ I say to you, he who believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I go to the Father.”

First Reading:  Acts 6:1-7

          Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, the Hellenists murmured against the Hebrews because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution. And the twelve summoned the body of the disciples and said, "It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. Therefore, brethren, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may appoint to this duty. But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word." And what they said pleased the whole multitude, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Proch'orus, and Nica'nor, and Ti'mon, and Par'menas, and Nicola'us, a proselyte of Antioch. These they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands upon them. And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith.

Psalm: Psalm 33:1-2, 4-5, 18-19

Second Reading: 1 Peter 2:4-9

          Come to him, to that living stone, rejected by men but in God's sight chosen and precious; and like living stones be yourselves built into a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For it stands in scripture: "Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious, and he who believes in him will not be put to shame."

          To you therefore who believe, he is precious, but for those who do not believe, "The very stone which the builders rejected has become the head of the corner," and "A stone that will make men stumble, a rock that will make them fall"; for they stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do. But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's own people, that you may declare the wonderful deeds of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.

Gospel: John 14:1-12

          "Let not your hearts be troubled; believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And when I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. And you know the way where I am going." Thomas said to him, "Lord, 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, but by me. If you had known me, you would have known my Father also; henceforth you know him and have seen him."

          Philip said to him, "Lord, show us the Father, and we shall be satisfied." Jesus said to him, "Have I been with you so long, and yet you do not know me, Philip? He who 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 in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own authority; but the Father who dwells in me does his works. Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father in me; or else believe me for the sake of the works themselves."Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I go to the Father.

Reflection
By Benj Santiago

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

After Christ resurrected and ascended into heaven, the early Christians continually grew in numbers as the disciples spread the word of God. People from different countries and faith were converted to Christianity. But most of them were still confused as to how to find God the Father and they wanted to see God. Even the disciples, in spite of the closeness they have with Jesus, they still did not have the faith to see God the Father in Him. I can sense the frustration Jesus had when He said: “Have I been with you for so long a time and you still do not know me”.

Jesus is the way the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Him! Jesus is the only way to the Father. We cannot go to the Father if we don’t follow Jesus. Jesus is the truth that will set us free, He is the true God that we need to believe in. Jesus is the life that is everlasting. 

In my own journey of finding God, there were also confusion and doubts that clouded my mind if Jesus is really one with the Father. The Holy Trinity remains a mystery I cannot fathom. But as I study the word of God, my faith is strengthened and my belief is renewed. I no longer doubt but believe that Jesus is indeed the only way to the Father and that the Father is in Him.

Jesus is God and our Savior. Let us strengthen our faith in Him. Let us be Jesus for other. Let us be firm in our belief that Jesus is the only way, and His words are the truth, and that if we follow Him, we will have life everlasting.

Prayer

Dear Jesus, we thank You for coming to this world to redeem us from our sins. We thank You for showing us the way to Your Father. We thank You for Your words that gives us everlasting life. We ask You Lord to strengthen our faith in You and make us like You for others. That we may also lead the people we love to Your Father in heaven. Amen.