30 Apr
Fri
4th Week of Easter
Acts 13:26-33
Ps. 2:6-7,8-9,10-11
Jn. 14:1-6
(Ps Wk IV)
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We begin today the long discourse, covering four chapters (14-17) of John, in which Jesus at the Last Supper says farewell and gives his final instructions to his disciples. Today's passage features one of the central statements of Jesus, one of his seven 'I AM' statements by which he identifies himself with his Father. At one point Jesus says, "You know the way that leads to where I go." They - and we - certainly ought to know the way but we are glad that Thomas spoke up in his blunt way. "Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?" To which Jesus replied: "I AM the Way. I AM Truth and Life." Jesus does not only tell us where to go. He is himself the Way. And Jesus is not a way but the Way. This is not to be understood in a narrow sectarian sense. The way of life that Jesus proposes is not just for a particular group of people; it is a way of life for every single person to follow. The heart of that Way is an unconditional love which sees every other person as a brother or sister and a love which gives itself unceasingly in service. If we want to know where our lives, where any life, should be going, all we need to do is to identify ourselves totally with the attitudes, the values and the goals of life that Jesus lays down for us and centred on the one commandment he gave: "Love one another as I have loved you." We can thank Thomas for asking that question.



Lord, may we always remember that You are the Way, the Truth and the Life.

DAILY OFFERING
Eternal Father, I offer You everything I do this day; my thoughts, words, joys and sufferings. Grant that, vivified by the Holy Spirit and united to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary, my life this day may be of service to You and to others. I also pray that all those preparing for marriage discover in Sacrament the source of Christ's grace for living a fithful and fruitful love. Amen.

PRAYING WITH THE CHURCH
INTENTION
That every tendency to fundamentalism and extremism may be countered by respect, tolerance, and dialogue among believers.
Elaboration

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