Untroubled Hearts

Readings for Sunday May 22nd 2011

5th Sunday of Easter



Our Gospel reading this Sunday challenges us to keep our focus entirely on Jesus, and promises us some special help to keep that focus strong. Remember that this passage comes from the Lord’s Last Supper discourse. The first thing that Jesus mentions to His disciples is not to let their hearts be troubled. Why are they troubled? They do not know exactly what is going to happen, but the disciples know that they are about to undergo a stressful situation: Jesus had predicted that His life would be taken from Him, and the disciples know that time is near. Jesus now acknowledges they are ‘stressed out’, and tries to comfort them. Notice how He does not try to get them off the hook or remove them from suffering. Rather, He tries to console them, and assures them that if they hang in there, they will not be alone. In this Gospel we see that Christ promises them a special place, meaning a place of reward for them in heaven. It is crucial for us as Christians not to think of the earth as a final resting place but a testing place to prepare us for heaven. (In this way, it can be said that earth is like Purgatory.) Jesus also promises the disciples intimacy with the Father, which comes from intimacy with Jesus. This is what all of us long for, an intimacy that fills the empty hole inside each one of us and gives us true joy. It is important for us to see ourselves in the place of the disciples, in that Jesus makes all these promises to us as well. Many will doubt that God loves them and wants intimacy with them, but Christ’s tells us that His works will be the proof. What great works has Christ done? Christ shows us that God is so serious about intimacy with us that He died for us out of love. Christ then promises that we will do even greater works than He! How can this happen? Our great works will come when we die to ourselves and allow Christ to live in us. He Himself will give us the strength to do this through the Holy Spirit. The greatest example of God working through him is when someone offers his life for the Lord, whether it is in the day to day opportunities of life, or through actual martyrdom. The Church has always grown in times of martyrdom and strong witness, even though it cost many their physical lives. These are our opportunities for great works, and through them, the Church will always grow. You and I are called to continue these great works today. No matter the place, God puts us, we are called to put our complete faith and trust in Him. We are called to have total confidence in His love for us. May God grant us the strength to always grow deeper in our love in intimacy with Him, and in doing so, may we be an instrument of His love to everyone we encounter.

Summary of the Gospel from YM Central

Reading 1 Acts 6:1-7

As the number of disciples continued to grow, the Hellenists complained against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution. So the Twelve called together the community of the disciples and said, “It is not right for us to neglect the word of God to serve at table. Brothers, select from among you seven reputable men, filled with the Spirit and wisdom, whom we shall appoint to this task, whereas we shall devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” The proposal was acceptable to the whole community, so they chose Stephen, a man filled with faith and the Holy Spirit, also Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicholas of Antioch, a convert to Judaism. They presented these men to the apostles who prayed and laid hands on them. The word of God continued to spread, and the number of the disciples in Jerusalem increased greatly; even a large group of priests were becoming obedient to the faith.

Questions for Discussion:

1. In what ways do you struggle to find a daily time for prayer and Scripture reading in the midst of your busyness?

2. How often do you ask the Lord to assist you?

3. In order to get in a daily prayer time and Scripture reading, what creative solutions can you and the Holy Spirit come up with in order that you not neglect your spiritual life and the Word of God?

Reading 2 1 Peter 2:4-9

Beloved: Come to him, a living stone, rejected by human beings but chosen and precious in the sight of God, and, 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. For it says in Scripture: Behold, I am laying a stone in Zion, a cornerstone, chosen and precious, and whoever believes in it shall not be put to shame. Therefore, its value is for you who have faith, but for those without faith: The stone that the builders rejected, has become the cornerstone, and a stone that will make people stumble, and a rock that will make them fall. They stumble by disobeying the word, as is their destiny. You are “a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people of his own, so that you may announce the praises” of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.

Questions for Discussion:

1. In the second reading, St. Peter says that we are to let ourselves “be built into a spiritual house” for God. What part do you think God wants you to be in his house?

2. Spend some time between now and your next week asking the Holy Spirit to let you know more clearly what part of the house you are to be -- and then share it with your family?

Gospel John 14:1-12

Jesus said to his disciples: “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You have faith in God; have faith also in me. In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If there were not, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back again and take you to myself, so that where I am you also may be. Where I am going you know the way.” Thomas said to him, “Master, we do not know where you are going; how can we know the way?” Jesus said to him, I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you know me, then you will also know my Father. From now on you do know him and have seen him.” Philip said to him, “Master, show us the Father, and that will be enough for us.” Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you for so long a time and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on my own. The Father who dwells in me is doing his works. Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else, believe because of the works themselves. 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.”

Questions for Discussion:

1. Christ promises that we who believe in Him will do greater works that He did. What kind of works is Jesus talking about? Give real-life examples.

2. In our day-to-day struggles, what events seem to ‘trouble’ our hearts the most? Give personal examples.

3. How is Jesus the Way, the Truth and the Light of your life?