Posted: 5/17/2014 8:43:03 AM EDT
Fifth Sunday of Easter 18 MAY 2014 Lectionary: 52 Reading 1 ACTS 6:1-7 As the number of disciples continued to grow, the Hellenists complained against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution. So the Twelve called together the community of the disciples and said, “It is not right for us to neglect the word of God to serve at table. Brothers, select from among you seven reputable men, filled with the Spirit and wisdom, whom we shall appoint to this task, whereas we shall devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” The proposal was acceptable to the whole community, so they chose Stephen, a man filled with faith and the Holy Spirit, also Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicholas of Antioch, a convert to Judaism. They presented these men to the apostles who prayed and laid hands on them. The word of God continued to spread, and the number of the disciples in Jerusalem increased greatly; even a large group of priests were becoming obedient to the faith. Responsorial Psalm PS 33:1-2, 4-5, 18-19 R/ (22) Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you. or: R/ Alleluia. Exult, you just, in the LORD; praise from the upright is fitting. Give thanks to the LORD on the harp; with the ten-stringed lyre chant his praises. R/ Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you. or: R/ Alleluia. Upright is the word of the LORD, and all his works are trustworthy. He loves justice and right; of the kindness of the LORD the earth is full. R/ Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you. or: R/ Alleluia. See, the eyes of the LORD are upon those who fear him, upon those who hope for his kindness, To deliver them from death and preserve them in spite of famine. R/ Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you. or: R/ Alleluia. Reading 2 1 PT 2:4-9 Beloved: Come to him, a living stone, rejected by human beings but chosen and precious in the sight of God, and, like living stones, let yourselves be built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For it says in Scripture: Behold, I am laying a stone in Zion, a cornerstone, chosen and precious, and whoever believes in it shall not be put to shame. Therefore, its value is for you who have faith, but for those without faith: The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone, and A stone that will make people stumble, and a rock that will make them fall. They stumble by disobeying the word, as is their destiny. You are “a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people of his own, so that you may announce the praises” of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 
Gospel JN 14:1-12 Jesus said to his disciples: “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You have faith in God; have faith also in me. In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If there were not, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back again and take you to myself, so that where I am you also may be. Where I am going you know the way.” Thomas said to him, “Master, 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 except through me. If you know me, then you will also know my Father. From now on you do know him and have seen him.” Philip said to him, “Master, show us the Father, and that will be enough for us.” Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you for so long a time and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever 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 is in me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on my own. The Father who dwells in me is doing his works. Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else, believe because of the works themselves. Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever believes in me will do the works that I do, and will do greater ones than these, because I am going to the Father.” Gospel Reading: John 14::1—12 *This Sunday’s reading takes place at the Last Supper (see John, chapters 13—17). Judas has just left the room; Jesus has predicted his upcoming death, and has revealed that Peter, the leader of their group, will deny him in his hour of need (John 13ff). The hearts of the apostles must have indeed been troubled. *Even though he himself is troubled (John 13:21) he speaks words of comfort to his friends. He tells them that, even though he will be leaving, it will be for their greater good (verses 1-4, 7, 12). The disciples, in their grief not being able to grasp his words, question him on how this can be. Jesus reveals that he himself is “the Way, the Truth and the Life.” *Jesus is the Way (John 6:68, 10:9; Romans 5:1-2; Ephesians 2:17-22; Hebrews 10:19-22; CCC 459-460), the Truth (John 1:14, 17; CCC 2466), and the Life (John 1:1-5, 5:26, 29, 6:51, 68). *In the Book of Acts, which relates the early growth of the Church, the Christian life is also often called “the Way” (Acts 9:3, 19:9, 23, 22:4, 24:14, 22). QUESTIONS: +In the 1st Reading, we see that the Church had to adapt to changing circumstances without compromising the essence of the Faith. What does it tell us about Jesus’ promise to be with the Church always? +In the 2nd Reading, what distinction does St. Peter draw between those who have faith, and those who do not (verse 7)? +In the Gospel Reading, what comfort does Jesus offer his disciples? +Look at John 13:36; 14:6, 8, 22. What problems are the disciples struggling with? How does John 1:18 relate to what Jesus says in 14:9? With what tone of voice do you imagine Jesus speaking in verses 9-14? What evidence does Jesus give for his claims? +Do you think the promises Jesus makes in verses 12-14 are “blank check” promises about prayer? In verse 12, does he mean the Church will do works greater in power? In scope? How could this be? +How does John 1:18 relate to what Jesus says in 14:9? With what tone of voice do you imagine Jesus speaking in verses 9-14? What evidence does Jesus give for his claims? +If Jesus is the Way, do you feel you’re on a bumpy dead-end street, or a four-lane highway? Why? +In light of verse 6, how would you respond to someone who says “there are many ways to God”? Bible Study--5th Sunday of Easter--Cycle A Closing Prayer Catechism of the Catholic Church: §§ 74, 151, 459, 470, 516, 661, 1698, 2466 
(St-Takla.org Image: The oldest known icon of Christ Pantocrator, encaustic on panel ca. 550 A.D. (Sinai, Egypt, Saint Catherine's Monastery) "Humanity is loved by God! …Each Christian’s words and life must make this proclamation resound: God loves you, Christ came for you, Christ is for you “the Way, the Truth and the Life!” -- St. Pope John Paul II |