The Gospel today reminds me of a truth I learned from my theology professors—that Jesus is the definitive revelation of who God is. In other words, if you want to know the character of God, look to the character of Christ. See the entirety of His life, death, and resurrection. Know His Words and way of life, and from there, you will know who God is, what He is like, and the life He invites you to live.

Jesus is fully man and fully divine. He is full of grace and full of truth. He is gentle and powerful. He is servant and Lord. He is both merciful and just. And that’s just to name a few.

So, whenever life hits hard and your faith in God is shaken and tested, look to Jesus and the Cross. When problems pile up and you don’t know what to do, look to Jesus and the Cross. You will see your God, who is always loving, selfless, and faithful. May the knowledge of this truth strengthen your faith and lead you to live your life loving, selfless, and faithful. 

Mike Viñas (mikemichaelfcv@yahoo.com)

reflect

“In times past, God spoke in partial and various ways to our ancestors through the prophets; in these last days, he spoke to us through a son, whom he made heir of all things and through whom he created the universe.” (Hebrews 1:1-2)

Father, help me know You more as I know and follow Jesus. Mold me to be more like Jesus in everything, every day. 

Saint Athanasius, bishop and Doctor of the Church, pray for us.

Let us not waste our time and energy proclaiming the Gospel to those whose hearts are hardened, as there are others who wish to respond to it. The same is true for the works of the Church—the worthy recipients are those who are grateful and striving for a deeper conversion. The Gospel will bear the most fruit among such people.

⁴⁴ On the following sabbath almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord. ⁴⁵ When the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy and with violent abuse contradicted what Paul said. ⁴⁶ Both Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly and said, “It was necessary that the word of God be spoken to you first, but since you reject it and condemn yourselves as unworthy of eternal life, we now turn to the Gentiles. ⁴⁷ For so the Lord has commanded us, I have made you a light to the Gentiles, that you may be an instrument of salvation to the ends of the earth.” ⁴⁸ The Gentiles were delighted when they heard this and glorified the word of the Lord. All who were destined for eternal life came to believe, ⁴⁹ and the word of the Lord continued to spread through the whole region. ⁵⁰ The Jews, however, incited the women of prominence who were worshipers and the leading men of the city, stirred up a persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them from their territory. ⁵¹ So they shook the dust from their feet in protest against them and went to Iconium. ⁵² The disciples were filled with joy and the Holy Spirit.  

Responsorial Psalm | Psalm 98:1, 2-3, 3-4

R: All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.

¹ Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done wondrous deeds; His right hand has won victory for him, his holy arm. (R) ² The Lord has made his salvation known: in the sight of the nations he has revealed his justice. ³ He has remembered his kindness and his faithfulness toward the house of Israel. (R) All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation by our God. ⁴ Sing joyfully to the Lord, all you lands; break into song; sing praise. (R)  

Gospel | John 14:7-14

In today’s Gospel, Jesus promises that we will perform works greater than He did. This may seem incredible, but we must understand that it is truly Jesus working through us—we can do nothing for the Gospel without Him. Let us trust that the power of the Holy Spirit will manifest in our works for God’s Kingdom, allowing Him to decide how His glory is revealed in our midst.

Gospel Acclamation

If you remain in my word, you will truly be my disciples, and you will know the truth, says the Lord.

⁷ Jesus said to his disciples: “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 Jesus, “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.”

Reflect

What have you asked for in in Jesus’ Name? How did He answer your prayer?  

Read the Bible in one year! Read DEUTERONOMY 8 - 11 today.

In the Gospel today, the Apostle Philip asked Jesus to show them the Father, probably because many wanted to know who He really was. Jesus reminded Philip that he had witnessed everything He had said and done as they had been together for so long, and that should be enough.

What would it take for us to believe? Miracles? The Jews witnessed a lot of miracles from Jesus, yet they did not believe. They heard beautiful, relevant, and excellent messages from Him, yet they did not believe. Jesus stuck to what He offered—that they should be enough for them to believe. If they still did not believe, there’s nothing He could do.

Faith is grace. It is offered, not forced on us by God. Our attitude should be openness and wanting to believe. It also requires not being fixated on what we prefer in order to believe.

Pilate was confronted with this when he asked Jesus, “What is Truth?” Jesus did not bother to answer Pilate because in front of him was the Truth. Jesus is the Truth (and the Way and the Life). If Pilate could not recognize Truth in Jesus, no explanation from Him would make him understand the Truth that is Jesus.

The Apostles have that task and responsibility, having been chosen by the Lord to preserve and transmit the deposits of faith received from Him. That is the main basis of a true Christian faith. We do not only boast of tracing our lineage to the Lord, but we also proclaim the Good News that Jesus proclaimed. And the mission continues in the Church and in every baptized Christian. Thanks be to God for the gift of the Apostles! 

Fr. Benny Tuazon

reflection questions

How have you reflected Jesus to others? Do others recognize His presence in you?

God our Father, You were so generous and loving to allow Your only begotten Son to be one like us so we can finally see, hear, and feel You. Grace our hearts and minds that we may be able to know, love, and serve You. Amen.

Today, I pray for: __________________________________