Fifth Sunday of Easter May 7, 2023

Readings: Acts 6.1-7, 1Peter 2.4-9, John 14.1-12 

The Gospel reading of today calls us to reflect on the purpose of life. Purpose can guide our life’s decisions, influence our behaviour, shape our goals, offer a sense of direction and create meaning. Purpose for some is connected to vocation, meaningfulness and satisfaction. Questions arise when things we take for granted cause uncertainty. The normal becomes abnormal, we wonder where we are going if anywhere and whether we have any sense of direction. We find ourselves going around in a circle. Profound experience of loss of any kind can make us question our own direction in life.

In today’s Gospel, John shows us it was not different for the disciples. When Jesus counsels them not to be afraid, “let not your hearts be troubled, for I am going to prepare a place for you,” He further tells them He is The Way, The Truth and The Life. Jesus’ passion is the utter authenticity of people’s lives and His way of loving is also the way for us to live. Jesus is the way by which we travel to the fulness of God. Jesus is the truth. He does not only speak the truth, but the fulness of truth is found in Him. Jesus is the truth about God as He is truth about humanity.

As God looked to Jesus to reveal his true self, we look to Jesus to reveal God. He is the only true icon of God. Jesus is Life. We are because of Jesus. Our very life is his gift. Life is not an accident but a unique example of God’s gift to us. Was this explanation satisfactory to Jesus’ disciples on the purpose of life? I don’t think so. The disciples learned soon after Jesus left them, they did not have ready answers to everything. Looking to Jesus as the Way, the Truth and the Life doesn’t solve every question we have about our life’s purpose effortlessly. Jesus knew that!

In every age there are people who claim to know the way to a full and happy life. Often their ideas flourish for a while and then fade. There is only one way which has stood the test of time, and that way is Jesus. If we follow Jesus, the Way, we will come to the fulness of Life and Truth and take it to others. May Mary our mother and the Mother of Our Lord, walk with us as we follow the true way that will lead us to life everlasting

 Fr. Terry