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.

1 PETER 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.

JOHN 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."

In our Gospel today, Jesus describes himself as the way, the truth and the life. What does this mean to us who seek to follow Christ in our everyday lives?

When Jesus says he is the way, he is saying that he is the way to reach our heavenly Father. Jesus gathers us together as his one body here on earth and he accompanies us in our pilgrimage home to our Father. In all his words and actions in the Gospels, Jesus was revealing to us the love of the Father. It is true what Jesus tells Philip in our Gospel today. If you see Jesus, you have seen the Father. If you ever wondered what our Father in heaven is like, just look at Jesus and the way he loved us.

When Jesus says he is the truth, he is saying that he is the truth that answers all the questions of our human existence. Jesus responds to our questions about suffering by suffering with us. He responds to our questions about the meaning of life by showing us that life has real meaning only if it is given freely as a gift to others. He responds to our questions about sin and evil by showing mercy and compassion to all sinners. He responds to our questions about what it means to be a human person by teaching us about love. Jesus is the truth that sets us free from the slavery of selfishness and sets us free to love with great generosity of heart.

Finally, when Jesus says he is the life, he is saying that his life is the pattern we are called to follow. The imitation of Christ is our calling and our way to true happiness. Our world creates so many false idols and false paths to happiness. Christ calls us and says to each one of us “come follow me”. The way may be hard and the sacrifices are great but life patterned after Christ is the only life worth living. So many saints and ordinary people have discovered and lived out this call. We are also blessed with such a call.

May we always keep Christ before us, as the way, the truth and the life, now and forever.

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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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