In the Gospel of John today we hear how the Lord comes as Light in our world, showing us the Father and guiding us out of darkness on a path that leads to eternal life.
Our relationship with Jesus Christ includes our journey on earth and our destination in Heaven. As pilgrims passing through this life, we draw near to the Lord in preparation when we will be united completely in his divine love.
In our moments of need we can learn from the Psalmist and say “The Lord is my shepherd” as we face the challenges of life. What’s more, as we follow Jesus Christ we offer our lives to help one another to seek the Lord as well.
The first reading and the Gospel are at opposite ends of how people respond to the call of faith. In the first reading Peter’s prayer in the name of Jesus restores a dead woman, Tabitha, to life; in the Gospel the invitation of the Lord to eat his body and drink his blood causes many to walk away. It begs the question: How’s your faith? Is it vibrant or feeble, building others up or filled with doubts?
In the first reading today we hear of the conversion of St. Paul, who begins the passage “breathing murderous threats” against the Church and ends with his preaching in the synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God. May Paul’s change of heart inspire us to draw ever nearer to the Lord!
Philip took time to instruct the Ethiopian eunuch about the book of the prophet Isaiah, which led to his conversion and baptism. Every day we have opportunities to share our faith and help guide others so that they can grow as disciples of Jesus Christ.
The apostles – sent and empowered by Christ – proclaimed the Gospel and carried on the mission of the Lord. Our faith today was transmitted by generations who have testified to the light of Jesus Christ; may we continue to pass that faith on to the next generation.
My godson, Luke, traveled to the Cathedral from Spooner, WI today. He made his First Communion on Sunday, and today I got to give him his Second Communion…he even got to wear his suit again! The Gospel of John is appropriate today as the Lord states, “I am the bread of life.”
On the road to Emmaus two disciples encountered Jesus as he explained the Scriptures and broke the bread. These two elements – Scripture and Sacrament – are the core of every Mass. As Christians have been nourished by the Eucharist from that very first Easter, may we continue to grow in grace every time we encounter the Lord in the breaking of the bread.
The Lord’s words to the disciples to “do not be afraid” speak to us today. May we face our fears with God’s grace as we respond with faith in Jesus Christ.