Fifth Sunday of Easter
Intro: Jesus declared Himself to be the Way, the Truth and the Life, the cornerstone of our lives. He calls us to be part of a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people set apart … to be His followers.
Readings: As the infant Church begins to grow, deacons are appointed to facilitate the practical running of the Church, so that the apostles can devote themselves to prayer and the preaching of the word.
Preaching to his converts in Asia Minor, Peter reveals Jesus as the cornerstone Who holds together the new people of God, and reminds them - and us - that we are all part of that building, living stones, making up the one body of Christ.
Acts 6: 1-7;
1 Peter 2: 4-9;
John 14: 1-12;
All of today's readings have been about building the Church. In Acts, we hear how the early Church began to organise itself by devolving different jobs to different people. In his first Letter, Peter, the man whom Jesus called His rock and instructed to be the foundation stone of the new church, tells us that Jesus is its corner-stone - the stone around which the whole Church is aligned, built and made strong. We've been given important roles too, because we are today's living stones of Christ's Church.
In the Gospel, Jesus tells us that He is the way, the path, to God, and belief in Him will enable His followers to do great things. It comes from that part of St. John's Gospel which contains the instructions He gave to His disciples at the Last Supper. Maybe those words, spoken on Holy Thursday now seem a little strange, coming just a few weeks after Easter. But the theme is about what will happen when Jesus finally leaves His disciples, and that makes a little more sense when it's read between His resurrection and His ascension.
Jesus describes Himself as "the Way, the Truth and the Life," something which obviously upset Thomas. As the disciples are thrown into confusion, they ask two important questions: "Lord, where are You going?" and "How can we find the way there?" Jesus answers, saying that He is going to God, and in following Him, they, and we, shall find our way there too, even although what follows seems to make entire nonsense as He is arrested, tortured and put to death.
Trouble and heartache come to everyone, in many guises - today's world-wide Covid tragedy; the ongoing wars in the Sudan and Ukraine; issues of injustice between rich and poor, of human relationships as unfaithfulness and dishonesty drive people apart, of bereavement, where people suddenly lose the ones they loved.
Our Lord's words, spoken at the Last Supper are repeated today: "Do not let your hearts be troubled." He seeks to strengthen His friends in the face of coming darkness, knowing that all too soon pain and sorrow will descend on Him. Jesus Himself is the reason we don't lose hope, because where He has gone, we shall follow, from our own suffering to glory. By keeping Him at the centre of our lives, and building everything around our faith, we too can build on Christ and become those living stones which St. Peter encourages us to be.
We are still that same "chosen race" that same "royal priesthood" of which Peter speaks. We too are living stones making up parts of a spiritual house; we too must have the same confidence to walk our own path, knowing that the Spirit of Jesus will be with us every day, in all our decisions, in all our down times. "Fear not, little flock, I am with you all days, even to the consummation of the world." And even after Covid, wars, personal sorrow ... tomorrow will be a better day!
Intercessions
As God's chosen people, His new creation, we bring all our needs confidently before Him:-
1. For those who lead and guide the Church today. May they always act with wisdom, remain faithful to the Gospel message entrusted to their care, and preach it without fear or favour - Lord, hear us.
2. For governments. May they learn to distribute the world's resources more fairly among all sections of their communities - Lord, hear us.
3. For those struggling with their faith, troubled in spirit, or who feel alienated from Your Church. Let them discover afresh Your love for them in the person of Your Son - Lord, hear us.
4. For all those who are anxious or unwell. May they come to know the comfort and healing of both body and soul - Lord, hear us.
5. For James Barrie and Fr.George Donaldson who have died recently; and for Cathie McGrory, Hugh Halfpenny, Edward Curran, Benny Lappin, Christopher Costello and Fr.Herbert Herrity, whose anniversaries occur about this time. May they find eternal rest and peace in their Father's house of many rooms - Lord, hear us.
Almighty Father, hear and accept these prayers which we bring before You in faith, and grant them according to Your will.