READINGS for 2008-05-03
Feast of Sts. Philip and James, Apostles
WAY, TRUTH, LIFE!
“I am the way, the truth and the life... ” – John 14:6
I was the second-day speaker in all the 2007 Lenten Retreats of Bo Sanchez. The first two groups were a breeze — cooperative, responsive and all-Filipino. But the day before my talk for the third group, I was informed that there would be two foreigners attending and I would have to give the talk in English.
Coming from the U.P. era when they changed the medium of instruction from English to Filipino (e.g. the word “policy” became “palisi”), you can imagine my struggle. It didn’t help that the night before that retreat, I gave a talk in pure Tagalog in Tondo, Manila.
But my fears were calmed when I remembered that Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life. Hence, I was able to deliver the talk in pure English — His Way, by speaking from their perspective; His Truth, by being true to myself and being in touch with my uniqueness; and His Life, by boldly sharing my life testimony. It was all His grace! As a result, the attendees were blessed, especially the two foreigners. They even said, “You’re such a great speaker!” I smiled and told myself, “If you only knew.” Obet Cabrillas
REFLECTION:
Are you lost, confused and dying? He is the Way, the Truth and the Life!
Walk Jesus’ Way; believe Jesus’ Truth; and live Jesus’ Life!
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1st READING
The death and resurrection of Jesus is a central aspect of the proclamation of the Gospel. This is the foundation for the Christian faith. Jesus’ death puts sin to death in our lives and His resurrection becomes the principle of new life — life that will be brought to its fulfillment in our own resurrection from the dead on the last day.
1 Corinthians 15:1-8
1 I am reminding you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you indeed received and in which you also stand. 2 Through it you are also being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you, unless you believed in vain. 3 For I handed on to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the scriptures; 4 that he was buried; that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the scriptures; 5 that he appeared to Kephas, then to the Twelve. 6 After that, he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at once, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. 7 After that he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. 8 Last of all, as to one born abnormally, he appeared to me.
P S A L M
Psalm 19:2-3, 4-5
R: Their message goes out through all the earth.
1 [2] The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament proclaims his handiwork. 2 [3] Day pours out the word to day, and night to night imparts knowledge. (R) 3 [4] Not a word nor a discourse whose voice is not heard; 4 [5] through all the earth their voice resounds, and to the ends of the world, their message. (R)
G O S P E L
Jesus affirms that He is indeed the Way, the Truth and the Life. What this means for us depends entirely upon our willingness to submit our lives to Him in faith. Without faith, we cannot attain God’s promises. But if we believe, there is nothing that can stand in our way in becoming sons and daughters of the Father.
John 14:6-14
6 Jesus said to Thomas, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7 If you know me, then you will also know my Father. From now on you do know him and have seen him.” 8 Philip said to him, “Master, show us the Father, and that will be enough for us.” 9 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’? 10 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. 11 Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else, believe because of the works themselves. 12 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. 13 And whatever you ask in my name, I will do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If you ask anything of me in my name, I will do it.”
my reflections
think:
Do I believe in the power of Jesus’ death and resurrection?
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God’s special verse/thought for me today________________ _________________________________________________________
T O D A Y ’ S BLESSING LIST Thank You Lord for: ____________________________________
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READ THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR Deuteronomy 23-26
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THE GRACIOUSNESS OF JESUS
Our Gospel is a snapshot of the graciousness of Jesus. In the first part of the narration, the Master reprimands Philip and the rest for their lack of understanding. During the three long years that they were with Jesus, these disciples failed to realize that He was the ultimate revelation of Yahweh’s glory and faithfulness. Now, the three years were fast coming to an end and Philip and the rest have not gotten the message of Jesus. Naturally, Jesus feels a sense of frustration. Everything not withstanding, Jesus ends by entrusting to Philip and the group the expansion of His own works and words. Jesus goes as far as saying, “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.”
What response can we make to such awesome graciousness of Jesus? Well, let us be true to the dear life and the blessed faith that the Almighty has caused to continuously flow in us. Every day, let us never fail to look up to God with gratefulnessin our every pulse and thought. Probably, we can say something along the lines of this prayer from A Man’s Guide to Prayer: “Lord, I am blind and helpless, stupid and ignorant. Cause me to hear; cause me to know; teach me to do. Lead me.”Fr. Domie Guzman
Reflection Question:
Can you recall a moment when, like Jesus before Philip, you were extraordinarily kind and gracious to someone? How did this make you feel? How did your graciousness affect positively the other person?
Lord, lead me. You alone know the path to faithfulness and graciousness. Teach me the good I must do.
Sts. Philip and James the less, apostles, pray for us.
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