FIFTH SUNDAY OF EASTER, CYCLE A

Opening prayer: Risen Christ, you are the Way, the Truth and the Life. You lead us to the Father. Today, as we gather in your name, nurture us with your Word. May your Spirit breathe on us as we break open your Word. This we pray through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Sharing of life: What are you most and least grateful for this week?

Facilitator reads focus statement: The first reading tells us how the Deaconate ministry came to be. The second reading offers words of encouragement to a persecuted Christian community. In the gospel, Jesus offers some words of comfort to his Apostles who are sad because he has begun to speak about leaving them.

If you have not read the commentary prior to the meeting, consider reading it either before of after you read each reading.

FIRST READING: Acts 6:1-7

As the Christian community continued to grow, so did the conflict that usually accompanies growth. The growth placed an added burden on the Apostles, who, while caring for widows, didn’t have time to preach the word of God. This led to the creation of a new ministry -- the deaconate. "Need is often the mother of invention." The reading also highlights the tension between Palestinian Jews and Greek- speaking Jews. The latter felt that widows were being neglected in the distribution of the food. Finally, the first reading highlights how the preaching of the Word of God must have priority.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM 33

This psalm applauds God’s fidelity.

SECOND READING: 1 Peter 2:4-9

The author tells his readers that their high standing in God’s eyes more than compensates for their low standing in the eyes of society. These "resident aliens" may be rejected by the world but they are precious in God’s eyes. These "nobodies" are a "chosen race, a royal priesthood, a consecrated nation, a people God claims as his own". The author is saying to a people who may be feeling that they do not belong, that they very much belong to God. The reading reminds those who are homeless that they have a home in God. A "stumbling block" in Isaiah 8:4 seeks to convey notions of strength and challenge in adversary. The "rejected stone" that becomes the "corner stone" (Ps 118:2) speaks of how Israel was considered insignificant by the empires over the centuries. The Christian in hostile Asia-Minor would be a "stumbling block" and a "rejected stone" in their environment. Recall that Peter is writing to a community living in an unbelieving, and often hostile, environment.

GOSPEL: John 14:1-12

This is an excerpt from the Last Discourse of Jesus. Just before this passage, Jesus had spoken about his departure. Such talk made the Apostles anxious and afraid. Here Jesus tells them not to be afraid, but rather to place their trust in him. Trust is always the Gospel answer to fear. "Many dwelling places" is not reference to a "heavenly motel." Motel rooms can be very lonely places, as any salesperson can tell you. Rather, "dwelling places" refers to a relationship with God, a relationship that begins here and now with the God who lives in our hearts. Heaven is not something we begin to experience after we die. Rather, it is something we experience the moment we begin to have a relationship with God. The "way" to this relationship is through Jesus.

Jesus is the Way by which we travel to the fullness of God. United to Jesus, we enter into the life of God. Jesus as the Way includes the Way of the Cross. Jesus is the Truth: he not only speaks the truth, but the fullness of truth resides in him alone. The Truth, which Jesus offers, is not "catechism truth" or some system of thought. Rather, it is a person. Jesus reveals to us the true nature of God and the truth about humanity. Jesus is the Life. As John announced at the beginning of the Gospel: Through him all things came to be; not one thing had its being but through him. All that came to be had life in him. (1:3-4)

We exist and live because of Jesus. Our very life is his gift. This is why we regard life as sacred from beginning to end. The Gospel clothes all life with dignity and respect. Our life is totally wrapped up in the life of Jesus. "In him, we live, move and have our being."

Philip’s question gives Jesus the opportunity to speak about the closeness and intimacy that exists between him and the Father. The intimacy is so close that to see Jesus is to see the Father and to "know" Jesus is to experience the Father.

FAITH SHARING QUESTIONS

1) What verse, idea or image spoke to you and why?

2) The deaconate was a new ministry created to meet a special need. Do you see the need for a new ministry in your parish to meet a need that is presently not being met? If so, what is the needed ministry?

3) In the second reading Peter tells us we are "a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people of his own." What responsibility does this privilege call us to?

4) "Do not let your hearts be troubled; have faith in God." How easy or hard is it for you to act on this exhortation of Jesus?

RESPONDING TO THE WORD

Name one way you can act on today’s readings. Suggestion: Be a Deacon this week; serve the needs of all around you. Let the deacons in your parish know that you appreciate their ministry.

CONCLUDE WITH PRAYERS OF PETITION AND INTERCESSION