First Reading (1Cor 15,1-8)
Reading of the First Letter of Saint Paul to the Corinthians.
Brothers, I want to remind you of the gospel that I preached to you and that you received, and in which you stand. By it you are saved, if you are keeping it just as it was preached to you by me. Otherwise, you would have embraced faith in vain. Indeed, I handed on to you, first of all, what I myself had received, namely, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures; that he was buried; that on the third day he rose again, according to the Scriptures; and that he appeared to Cephas and then to the Twelve. Later, he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at once. Of these, the majority are still alive and some have died. Then he appeared to James and then he appeared to the apostles all together. Finally, he also appeared to me, as to an abortifacient.
– Word of the Lord.
– Thank God.
Gospel (John 14,6-14)
— Proclamation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint John.
— Glory to you, Lord.
At that time, Jesus said to Thomas: “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 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, does his works. Believe me: 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 works 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 would like to begin our reflection with a question: how many times have you felt lost amid the complexities of everyday life? How many times have you asked yourself what is the way forward, what is the truth that really matters? We have all faced moments of uncertainty, moments when our choices and decisions seem hazy.
This search for truth and the right path is a journey we all share. And it is exactly this search that today’s biblical passages tell us about.
In the First Reading, Saint Paul reminds us of the essence of the Gospel: “I remind you, brothers, of the Gospel which I preached to you and which you received, in which you stand. By it also you are saved, if you keep it just as it was for you preached” (1Cor 15:1-2). These words invite us to reflect on the importance of remaining faithful to Christ’s message, even in the midst of adversity.
We live in a time when many voices are clamoring for our attention, offering quick solutions and easy answers. However, true wisdom is in turning our hearts to the words of Jesus, the way, the truth and the life. Jesus reveals to us the truth about God and ourselves. He is our sure guide through the uncertainty and confusion of the world.
The Gospel of John reminds us of Jesus’ words: “I am the way, the truth and the life” (John 14:6). These words have the power to free us from the bonds of the unknown and lead us to true happiness. Jesus is the path that leads us to the Father, the truth that illuminates our minds and the life that fills our hearts.
Imagine, for a moment, a dark road on a starry night. The path is lit only by small, distant torches, all promising to be the correct route. However, amidst this darkness, a bright, radiant light rises ahead. That light is Jesus, the path that shines with clarity and certainty. He calls us to follow Him, to trust His words and to find true peace.
But how can we follow this path? How can we find truth and life? Jesus gives us the answer: “If you know me, you will also know my Father” (John 14:7). To know Jesus is to know God himself, it is to enter into a deep and personal relationship with the Creator of the universe. It is through this relationship that we find true happiness and meaning in our lives.
Sometimes it can be difficult to understand such deep and abstract concepts. So, allow me to offer an analogy that helps us understand better. Imagine a majestic tree, with deep roots and branches that reach toward the sky. This tree represents our faith. Its roots are the fundamental truths of the Gospel, rooted in the words of Jesus. If we take care of the roots, the tree will grow strong and healthy.
The branches of the tree are our lives, branching out in different directions, representing our daily choices and actions. When our branches are connected to the roots of faith, they bear fruits of love, compassion, and justice. However, if we disconnect from the truth of Christ, our branches dry up and become sterile.
My brothers and sisters, may this image of the tree of faith remain engraved in our hearts. Let us take care of our roots, delving deeper into the truths of the Gospel. Let us seek true wisdom, not only through intellectual knowledge, but also through prayer and personal experience with God.
Remember that the search for truth and the right path is an ongoing journey. There will be times when we feel lost or confused, but it is in these times that we must remember Jesus’ words: “Ask and you will receive, so that your joy be complete” (John 16:24). We must approach God with confidence and humility, seeking His guidance in all areas of our lives.
As we continue our journey, we will face challenges and temptations. The pressures of the world can divert us from the right path. However, true wisdom lies in recognizing these distractions and remaining true to our faith. As Christians, we must resist the temptations of selfishness, injustice and hatred, and instead embrace the values of love, mercy and compassion.
A story that helps us understand these principles is that of the Good Samaritan. Jesus tells this parable to illustrate the true meaning of loving others. We can imagine the injured traveler, left by the roadside by cruel robbers, while people pass by, ignoring his suffering. However, it is the Samaritan, the one considered a stranger and an enemy by others, who approaches and cares for the injured man.
This story challenges us to look beyond differences and treat all human beings as our brothers and sisters. We are called to be like the Good Samaritan, to reach out to those in need, to practice justice and to defend the oppressed. It is through these actions that we witness God’s love in our lives.
My dear ones, the truth and the way are before us. Jesus invites us to follow Him, to place our lives in His loving hands. He promises us that if we seek Him with sincerity and humility, we will find the truth that sets us free and the life that fills us with joy.
May this message touch our hearts and inspire practical action in our lives. May we reflect on how the lessons from these biblical passages apply to us personally. Perhaps we need to pause and examine our hearts, identifying areas where we have strayed from the path of Christ. Perhaps we need to ask forgiveness for our failures and seek reconciliation with God and our brothers and sisters.
Remember that true transformation starts from the inside out. When we allow the truth of Christ to penetrate our lives, we are able to radiate His light and love to the world around us. May God’s grace strengthen us on this journey, enabling us to live according to His will and share His love with others.
This week, I invite all of you to take time to reflect on the path you are on. Talk to God in prayer, ask for His guidance and listen to His voice. Seek the truth, delve deeper into the Scriptures and allow the Word of God to illuminate your hearts.
My dear brothers and sisters, the search for truth and the right path is a challenging journey, but we are not alone. We have each other as a community of faith, and we have God’s constant presence in our lives. With open and trusting hearts, let us follow the path of Jesus, knowing that He is the truth that sets us free and the life that fills us with hope.
May God bless us all and guide us in our search for truth and love. Amen.
