Daily Reflection – May 14, 2017

Sunday 14 May 2017

First Reading: Acts 6:1-7
Responsorial Psalm:
Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you.
Psalm 33:1-2, 4-5, 18-19
Second Reading: 1 Peter 2:4-9
Gospel Reading: John 14:1-12

Today’s Note: Fifth Sunday of Easter

Gospel Reading:

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.”

Reflection:

Do not let your hearts be troubled. (John 14:1)

There is no way anyone in the upper room was more troubled than Jesus. In just a few hours, he was going to be beaten, crowned with thorns, and crucified—and he knew it was going to happen. Still, he took the time to encourage his apostles. I may be leaving, he told them, but don’t lose your faith or your peace over it. Trust me instead.

As the night went on, the apostles grew increasingly anxious and fearful—so much so that they ended up running away from Jesus. Their faith wasn’t strong enough to sustain them when they faced a life-or-death situation.

But that’s not how their story ends. Their faith returned when Jesus rose from the dead and appeared to them. They were so excited that they went out and set the world on fire for Jesus.

Were their hearts troubled after Jesus ascended into heaven? Yes, often. Did they lose their peace? Yes, often. Didn’t they have the Holy Spirit in them? Yes. So why couldn’t they hold firm? Because even the great apostles Peter, James, and John were still only human. Sometimes it takes time, even years, to develop that level of faith and trust.

So how do we regroup when our faith is tested? The best thing you can do is go easy on yourself. Remember how Peter lost his trust and denied even knowing the Lord. He wept bitterly when he realized what he had done, but he didn’t remain trapped in that bitterness and guilt. When he saw Jesus on the Sea of Galilee, he jumped into the water and ran to him. He let Jesus reassure him, and he resolved to keep moving forward in faith.

So whenever your faith is tested, or whatever you are struggling with right now, remember that Jesus knows you. He knows your worries. He is with you, surrounding you with his love. Try your best to rest in him.

“Lord, help me to keep moving forward, to hold my peace, and to trust in you.”