First reading (Acts 13,26-33)
Reading of the Acts of the Apostles.
In those days, having arrived in Antioch of Pisidia, Paul said in the synagogue: “Brethren, descendants of Abraham, and all you who fear God, this message of salvation was sent to us. The inhabitants of Jerusalem and their leaders did not recognize Jesus and, by condemning him, they fulfilled the prophecies that are read every Saturday. Although they found no reason for his condemnation, they asked Pilate to be killed. They took him down from the cross and placed him in a tomb, but God raised him from the dead, and for many days he was seen by those who accompanied him from Galilee to Jerusalem. we announce this Gospel: the promise that God made to our ancestors, he fulfilled for us, his children, when he resurrected Jesus, as it is written in the second psalm: ‘You are my son, today I have begotten you'”.
– Word of the Lord.
– Thank God.
Gospel (John 14,1-6)
— Proclamation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Luke.
— Glory to you, Lord.
At that time, Jesus said to his disciples: “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You have faith in God, have faith in me too. In my Father’s house there are many mansions. If it were not so, I would have told you. I will prepare a place for you, and when I have gone to prepare a place for you, I will come again and take you with me, so that where I am you may be, and where I go you know the way.” Thomas said to Jesus, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going. How can we know the way?” Jesus replied: “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
— Word of Salvation.
— Glory to you, Lord.
Reflecting the Word of God
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
Today, I would like to begin our reflection with a captivating hook that immediately connects us to the daily experiences we all face. Imagine yourself on a journey, a journey that takes us to unknown places and challenges us to overcome obstacles along the way. At every crossroads, we are faced with crucial choices that shape our destiny. On this journey of life, we are called to make decisions that will determine our eternity. And it is in this context that today’s biblical passages bring us wisdom and guidance.
In our first reading, taken from the Acts of the Apostles (Acts 13,26-33), we see Paul proclaiming the Gospel before a crowd thirsty for hope. He reminds the people of God’s promise, fulfilled in Jesus Christ, the Savior. Paul emphasizes that although the people rejected Jesus and crucified him, God raised him from the dead, giving everyone the opportunity to receive salvation through faith in Him.
This message of hope and redemption takes us to the Gospel of John (John 14:1-6), where Jesus comforts His disciples, who are about to face the physical departure of their Master. He says to them: “Do not let your heart be troubled. You believe in God, believe also in me”. Jesus is about to open a way to the Father and assures them that by following Him they too will find the way to eternal life.
Dear brothers and sisters, these biblical passages reveal deep spiritual truths to us, but how can we make them tangible and applicable in our daily lives? How can we make the right decisions on this journey of life that lead us to eternal life?
Allow me to share a story that illustrates these principles. There was a young girl named Maria who struggled with doubts and uncertainty on her spiritual journey. She felt lost and confused, not knowing which way to go. One day, she found an old map that described the roads of faith. The map showed the crossroads she would encounter and the choices she would have to make. Mary realized that the key to finding the right path was to keep her eyes fixed on the compass of divine truth – Jesus Christ. As she walked, Maria encountered other travelers who helped her interpret the map and make the right decisions. Together, they shared their experiences and strengthened their faith. At the end of her journey, Maria realized that the true reward was not just in the final destination, but in each step taken in the right direction.
Dear friends, this story teaches us some important lessons. First, like Mary, we need to find the right map for our lives. This map is the Word of God, the Holy Scripture, which guides us and shows us the path to salvation. We must study and meditate on the Scriptures, allowing them to illuminate our path and help us make the right decisions.
Second, just as Mary encountered other travelers on her journey, we too need fellow believers to support and encourage us. In the Christian life, we are called to form communities of love and sharing, where we can find strength and guidance in each other. Let us find brothers and sisters of faith, with whom we can walk together, sharing our experiences and learning from each other.
Furthermore, just as Mary kept her eyes fixed on the compass of truth – Jesus Christ – we need to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus at every step of our journey. He is the way, the truth and the life. When we focus on Jesus, we are guided by his light, and the doubts and uncertainties in our lives dissipate. It strengthens us and empowers us to make the right decisions, even when we face challenges and temptations.
Dear brothers and sisters, how can we apply these spiritual truths to our daily lives? Allow me to offer some practical guidance:
First, let us dedicate time daily to reading and meditating on the Scriptures. By immersing ourselves in God’s words, we open our hearts to His guidance and wisdom. May reading the Bible not just be an empty habit, but a personal encounter with the living God, who speaks to us through his words.
Second, let us seek fellowship with other believers. Let us find a community of faith where we can share our joys and difficulties, pray for each other, and learn together. In these relationships, we will find support, encouragement, and insight.
Furthermore, let us cultivate a life of constant prayer. Prayer keeps us connected to God, helps us hear his voice and enables us to resist the temptations we encounter on our journey. Let us find moments of silence and solitude to be in the presence of the Lord, sharing our desires and seeking His will.
Finally, let us be authentic witnesses of our commitment to Christ. May our words, actions and attitudes reflect Your light and love to those around us. When we live according to the teachings of Scripture, we are transformed and become instruments of transformation for others.
Dear friends, as I conclude this homily, I would like to challenge you to put into practice the truths we reflect on today. It’s not enough to just hear the words; we must act in accordance with them. May each of us take a moment to reflect on our own spiritual journey. Where are we now? Are we following the right map? Are we walking with other travelers of faith? Are we keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus?
May, through divine grace, we be empowered to make the right choices on our spiritual journey. May our faith be strengthened and our commitment renewed. May we be living witnesses of God’s love in our daily lives.
May divine grace, love and hope always be present in our hearts, guiding and sustaining us. And that, at the end of this earthly journey, we can find the eternal life that Jesus promised us, telling us: “I am the way, the truth and the life”.
So be it. Amen.
