ACTS 13:26-33

When Paul came to Antioch in Pisidia, he said in the synagogue: "My brothers, children of the family of Abraham, and those others among you who are God-fearing, to us this word of salvation has been sent. The inhabitants of Jerusalem and their leaders failed to recognize him, and by condemning him they fulfilled the oracles of the prophets that are read sabbath after sabbath. For even though they found no grounds for a death sentence, they asked Pilate to have him put to death, and when they had accomplished all that was written about him, they took him down from the tree and placed him in a tomb. But God raised him from the dead, and for many days he appeared to those who had come up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem. These are now his witnesses before the people. We ourselves are proclaiming this good news to you that what God promised our fathers he has brought to fulfillment for us, their children, by raising up Jesus, as it is written in the second psalm, You are my Son; this day I have begotten you."

JOHN 14:1-6

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."

Unless we stop whatever we are doing and take time off to reflect on God’s gifts to us, we will not appreciate the honor and special privilege that God has given us. God loves us. Yet, our humanity prevents us from trusting Him wholeheartedly and entrusting ourselves to His loving care.

Is it out of fear of being sinners that we cannot present ourselves to Him? God has paved the way for our salvation through Christ’s death for us. Because we are sinners we can go to Him, ask for the grace of forgiveness and be healed. Yet this is not so simple. We also need to do our par t. We need to make certain our sincerity and trust in Him.

In today’s Gospel, Thomas didn’t know where the Lord was going. To understand what Jesus meant, we need to look at how he lived. His entire life was centered on loving his Father. All that Jesus did, his ministry, the miracles that he had done, all reflected his desire to do God’s will. Jesus’ life centered on the first two commandments: loving God and neighbor. When Jesus said that he was going to prepare a room for us, he also meant that he was preparing for our change of heart, so that we, too, can orient ourselves to God’s love and the love of our neighbor. When we abide and obey the first two commands, we ultimately will experience the kingdom of God.

Have we recently reflected on what is it to be considered as a son and daughter of God? How have we measured up to our claim to this special gift?

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Finally, we pray for one another, for those who have asked our prayers and for those who need our prayers the most.

Have a good day!

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