HOMILY: Fifth Sunday of Easter
John 14: 1-12
7 May 2023
Fr. Ricky Cañet Montañez, AA
In the first few years of my religious formation in Worcester, Massachusetts, the American Assumptionists found it quite amusing and hilarious at the same time how we, Filipinos tend to use our lips to point to certain things. One time, a fellow Filipino in formation was asked by one of the American Assumptionists where he placed the Bible he had borrowed from him. This Filipino brother responded by pointing his lips to the direction of the table. This Assumptionist priest jokingly quipped: “Did you want to kiss me?”
Last Sunday, we celebrated Good Shepherd Sunday and we established that we are like sheep in constant need of guidance and protection from our Good Shepherd, Jesus Christ. We are often distracted by so many things and we end up moving in the wrong direction or worse, getting lost and finding ourselves in big trouble. This Sunday, we are reminded that if we want to stay on track, we have to keep our eyes only on Jesus. In the gospel passage from John, Jesus presents Himself to Thomas as “The Way”. In saying this, Jesus makes it clear that “The Way” to the Father is life with Him, a life in communion with Him.
Other faiths will have you believeing in a philosophy, a way of life, that wise men have come to realize through their journey of prayer and meditation. We Christians, however, follow a PERSON! We believe in Jesus Christ, the One we profess as our Mediator to the Father. He does not come into knowing “The Way” but He is Himself “THE WAY”. From the beginning of time, Jesus has been with the Father. He was sent to us to save us and show us the way back to the Father! No one else could possibly have that knowledge except the One who co-exists with the Father. Would you take directions from me to find a place here in Italy? Of course not, because I am not from here and I do not know my way around. It is only logical that people who are from here can point out to you the best route to where you need to go! Jesus literally tells us that He is “The Way”. It cannot get clearer than that. It is interesting to note that in the nascent church, before the followers of Jesus were called Christians in Antioch, they were first referred to as the “followers of the WAY”. Hence, in our imitation of Jesus, we learn how we can return to the Father and the place Jesus has prepared for each one of us in the Father’s house.
In the Second Reading, St. Peter urges all Christians to strive to be “living stones” that make up the Holy Temple of God. He says: “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.” (1 Peter 2:5) Of this temple, Jesus Christ is the cornerstone, so we have nothing to fear. Isn’t it true that for travellers an iconic edifice or landmark can give you a sense of where you are and in what direction you need to be going? For example, in Paris, you may want to look out for the Arc de Triomphe, the Louvre, Notre Dame, or the Eiffel Tower. In Manila, shopping malls like Mall of Asia, Glorietta, Trinoma will immediately tell you what Metro Manila City you are in. For us to be living stones building up a temple, we are asked to show Jesus to others that they may find “The Way” in Him as well. We need not be great architects or engineers to do this. Amazingly, we accomplish much by simply giving generously of our time, talent and resources to all those around us. We are already following Jesus’ way when we do simple, everyday acts of love, mercy, and compassion shown to others. In doing Jesus’ work, we become more like Him — taking on His love for those in most need and His passion for proclaiming the coming of God’s Kingdom. Our humble imitation of Jesus makes of us the very “pointers” to the presence of God in our midst.
Our gospel ends with a vote of confidence from Jesus. He says: “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.” (John 14:12) We, who remain, and have inherited the faith, have the responsibility to continue the work of Jesus. It is for us to endeavour to share Him with others that they may also find the way. St. John Mary Vianney once said to a shepherd who had shown him the way to Ars… “You have shown me the way to Ars. I will show you the way to heaven.” One good turn deserves another. May we all find ourselves in Jesus and continue to lead others to Him.
Sunday Gospel Reflections 