First Reading (Acts 13,44-52)
Reading of the book of the Acts of the Apostles.
The following Saturday, almost the entire city gathered to hear the word of God.
Upon seeing that crowd, the Jews were filled with envy and, blaspheming, opposed what Paul said.
Then, with great courage, Paul and Barnabas declared: “It was necessary to proclaim the word of God first to you. But since you reject it and consider yourselves unworthy of eternal life, know that we are going to address the pagans.
For this is the command that the Lord has given us: ‘I have made you a light to the nations, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.'”
The pagans were very happy when they heard this, and they glorified the word of the Lord. All who were destined for eternal life embraced faith.
In this way, the word of the Lord spread throughout the region.
But the Jews instigated the rich and religious women, as well as the influential men of the city, provoked a persecution against Paul and Barnabas and expelled them from their territory.
Then the apostles shook off the dust from their feet, and went to the city of Iconium.
The disciples, however, were filled with joy and the Holy Spirit.
– Word of the Lord.
– Thank God.
Gospel (John 14,7-14)
— Proclamation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint John.
— Glory to you, Lord.
At that time, Jesus said to his disciples: “If you knew me, you would also know my Father. And from now on you know him and have seen him.” Philip said: “Lord, show us the Father, that is enough for us!” Jesus answered, “I have been with you so long, and you do not know me, Philip? He who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? You do 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 of myself, but it is the Father who, remaining in me, works his works: I am in the Father and the Father is in me. less, because of these same works. Verily, verily, I say unto you, he that believeth in me shall do the works that I do, and shall do even greater things than these. For I go unto the Father, and whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, I will do it, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in my name, I will do it.”
— Word of Salvation.
— Glory to you, Lord.
Reflecting the Word of God
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
Today, I invite you to embark on a spiritual journey that will lead us to a profound encounter with the biblical passages we have just read. Just as travel challenges us and takes us to unknown places, these Scriptures invite us to explore the depths of faith and discover spiritual treasures that will transform our lives.
Imagine yourself on a busy road, full of people looking for something. Each of us has our own needs, desires and uncertainties. But deep down, we all seek a connection to something greater, an answer to our deepest questions. It is in this search that we find Paul’s words in the first reading.
Paul and Barnabas proclaimed the Gospel to a crowd thirsty for hope. And the result was fascinating. Some listeners welcomed the message with joy and opened themselves to faith, while others, blinded by unbelief, rejected the Gospel. This diverse response reminds us that faith is a personal choice, a decision that each of us must make.
But what leads us to this choice? What leads us to embrace the Gospel with joy and faith? We find the answer in the Gospel of John, where Jesus invites us to know Him, to experience His presence and to discover the way to the Father.
Jesus says, “He who has seen me has seen the Father…I am in the Father and the Father is in me.” These words reveal to us the divine nature of Jesus and his unity with the Father. He is the perfect image of the Father, and in Him we find the fullness of love and truth. By knowing Jesus, we know God himself, and we find the answer to our deepest searches.
But how can we find Jesus? How can we know Him in a personal and intimate way? This is where the beauty of faith becomes evident. Through the Scriptures, prayer and sacraments, Jesus reveals himself to us. He speaks to us on every page of the Bible, in every silent moment of prayer, and He gives Himself to us in the bread and wine of the Eucharist. He is within reach, ready to meet us where we are.
Dear brothers and sisters, this is a wonderful truth, but also a challenge for us. How can we respond to this invitation from Jesus? How can we seek a deeper connection with Him on our spiritual journey?
Allow me to share a story to illustrate this point. There was a man named Pedro who felt discouraged and lost in his search for meaning. He longed for a personal experience with God, but it seemed like God was far away. One day, Peter found a small group of people who were meeting to study the Bible and pray together. He decided to join them, and as he delved into the Scriptures and shared his questions and experiences with others, Peter began to experience the living presence of Jesus. He discovered that when he opened himself up to the community and sought God with a sincere heart, Jesus found him and transformed his life.
Dear friends, this story teaches us some important lessons. First, like Peter, we need to seek the community of faith. Let us find other travelers of faith, people who are willing to walk alongside us, sharing their experiences and learning together. Let us find a community where we can study the Scriptures, pray, and find mutual support. It is in this environment of love and sharing that Jesus reveals himself to us.
Furthermore, just as Peter delved into the Scriptures, we should do the same. The Bible is a treasure of divine wisdom, a love letter written by God to each of us. Set aside time each day to study and meditate on the Scriptures, allowing them to illuminate our path and guide us. Find passages that speak directly to your heart and reflect on them. Let the Word of God come alive in your life.
And don’t forget prayer. Prayer is the means by which we communicate with God, open our hearts and hear his voice. Dedicate moments of silence in your daily routine to seek God’s presence, to talk to Him and listen to His guidance. Through prayer, we are able to cultivate an intimate relationship with our Lord.
Dear brothers and sisters, as we engage in this spiritual journey, it is important to remember that our faith is not just an intellectual theory, but a living, transformative experience. It must touch all areas of our lives and drive us to action.
Let’s go back to Peter’s example. As he experienced the presence of Jesus in his life, he began to love more deeply, forgive more generously, and serve joyfully. His faith became tangible in his everyday actions. Likewise, we are called to live our faith in all dimensions of our lives – in our relationships, at work, in the choices we make daily.
When we find Jesus, we find the way to the Father. And that path leads us to a life of love, service and holiness. Just as Jesus said, “Whoever believes in me will do the works that I do, and they will do even greater works than these.” We are called to be active disciples of Jesus, reflecting His love and grace to the world.
Dear friends, as we conclude this homily, I invite each of you to reflect on your own spiritual journey. Where are you on this journey? Are you sincerely seeking an intimate encounter with Jesus? Are you open to hearing His voice and allowing Him to transform your life?
Today, Jesus is inviting us to know Him more deeply, to open our eyes of faith, and to experience His living presence. He calls us to walk together as a community of faith, to study the Scriptures, to pray and to live according to the teachings of the Gospel. He calls us to be active disciples of Him, reflecting His love and grace to the world.
May the Holy Spirit guide us on this spiritual journey, granting us wisdom, courage and discernment. Let us pray for each other, so that we can grow in our relationship with Jesus and witness his love in our lives.
Pray with me:
Heavenly Father, thank you for calling us to know Your Son Jesus. Give us the grace to seek His presence in our daily lives. Help us find communities of faith that support us and inspire us to grow in our relationship with You. Enable us to study the Scriptures and pray fervently, so that we may know Your will and live according to Your teachings. May the Holy Spirit guide and strengthen us on our spiritual journey. Through Christ our Lord, Amen.
