Today marks my 36th year on Earth, and tomorrow it will be my mother’s 56th. Since our birthdays are close to each other, we usually make it a double celebration by booking a nice Airbnb somewhere for a short family staycation.

That’s why our reading today about Jesus preparing a place for us made me smile. It’s like picturing the most amazing Airbnb ever, with Jesus as the ultimate Superhost!

I’d spend a lot of time planning and scrolling to find the perfect spot for our family. But this time, Jesus has already chosen for me and prepared everything. And instead of getting a digital door code, He will personally welcome me and dwell in that place with me! What a beautiful glimpse of all the endless birthdays I’ll celebrate in heaven when the time comes—an eternity of joy with Him in a place of unimaginable wonder! 

Gretchen Veran (gretchen@getsmarterandbetter.com)

reflect

Jesus already prepared a place for you when He calls you home. How does this truth change the way you live your life?

Lord Jesus, may I live each day in perfect peace knowing You have a room for me in our Father’s house.

Saints Philip and James, Apostles, pray for us.

First Reading | Acts 6:1-7

The Holy Spirit works to increase the number of the faithful in the Church, manifesting the power of Jesus and the love of the Father in our midst. It helps the Church remain faithful to what God desires Her to be. Let us surrender to the grace of the Spirit within us and remain faithful and obedient to Him.

¹ As the number of disciples continued to grow, the Hellenists complained against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution. ² 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. ³ Brothers, select from among you seven reputable men, filled with the Spirit and wisdom, whom we shall appoint to this task, ⁴ whereas we shall devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” ⁵ 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. ⁶ They presented these men to the apostles who prayed and laid hands on them. ⁷ 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 | Psalm 33:1-2, 4-5, 18-19

R: Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you.

¹ Exult, you just, in the Lord; praise from the upright is fitting. ² Give thanks to the Lord on the harp; with the ten-stringed lyre chant his praises. (R) ⁴ Upright is the word of the Lord, and all his works are trustworthy. ⁵ He loves justice and right; of the kindness of the Lord the earth is full. (R) ¹⁸ See, the eyes of the Lord are upon those who fear him, upon those who hope for his kindness, ¹⁹ to deliver them from death and preserve them in spite of famine. (R)

Second Reading | 1 Peter 2:4-9

Today, many people reject the truth that faith in God is a necessary part of life. Why? Perhaps they have succumbed to the illusion of self-sufficiency or do not believe in anything beyond this mortal existence. Without faith, they see no compelling reason to live a good life, as the only remaining appeal is individual altruism. If there is no belief in eternal life, then there is no deeper motivation to live well in this world—only immediate and material pleasures become their focus. This is the empty existence often portrayed by the advertising industry.

⁴ Beloved: Come to him, a living stone, rejected by human beings but chosen and precious in the sight of God, ⁵ 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. 6 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. ⁷ Therefore, its value is for you who have faith, but for those without faith: The stone which the builders rejected has become the cornerstone, ⁸ 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. ⁹ 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 | John 14:1-12

Our faith in God is the anchor that leads us into truth. Without a universal truth about the human person, morality cannot exist. Morality must be universal; otherwise, it becomes meaningless. However, in the Western world, individuals define their own truths without a shared, fundamental reference point. As a result, Western society stands on the brink of collapse, much like the Roman Empire before it was overrun by barbarian tribes.

Gospel Acclamation

I am the way, the truth and the life, says the Lord; no one comes to the Father, except through me.

¹ Jesus said to his disciples: “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You have faith in God; have faith also in me. ² 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? ³ 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. ⁴ Where I am going you know the way.” ⁵ Thomas said to him, “Master, we do not know where you are going; how can we know the way?” ⁶ Jesus said to him, “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.”

Read the Bible in one year! Read DEUTERONOMY 12 - 14 today.

Jesus Is the Direction and the Destination

I once got lost in Japan while looking for a store to buy pasalubong (going home treats). After trying to find one on my own, I desperately approached a Japanese citizen. He did not speak much English. He tried to give me directions, but it was difficult to understand him. Finally, with a gesture, he told me to follow him to the store. Needless to say, I reached the place, with him leading the way. 

In today’s Gospel, Jesus assured His disciples that He would not leave them orphaned. It prompted His Apostles, particularly Thomas, to ask where He was going. Jesus responded with a deeper truth—not by giving them directions but by pointing to Himself as the Way, the Truth, and the Life. The Sermon on the Mount and His other teachings had given them some directions to holiness and pathways to the Kingdom of God. This time, He made an enormous claim—He is the Way to salvation, to the Father, to the Kingdom of God.

Jesus came to give directions to salvation but He was not only the Messenger of the directions. He is both the Message and the Messenger—the direction and the destination.

In living our Christian faith, we focus on Jesus and having a relationship with Him. He is the Messiah, the Word made Flesh, and the Second Person of the Trinity. He is God. We listen to His words, watch His actions, understand His mind, and imitate Him with the grace of the Holy Spirit. 

Now, we can better understand His words when He said, “Whoever believes in Me will do the works that I do. And they will do greater ones than these.” After Jesus’ ministry on earth, His mission continues. As long as the Church believes and does His commands, great things will happen. 

Fr. Benny Tuazon

reflection questions

Is Jesus an important part of your life now? Do you regard His will in your decisions? Do you strive to tread the way He is unfolding in your life?

Be with me, Lord Jesus, as I live a life full of challenges, sacrifices, and temptations. Help me not to be separated from You so as not to get lost on my way to You. Amen.

Today, I pray for: __________________________________