Fifth Sunday of Easter(Click here for readings)
Jesus said to his disciples: "Do not let your hearts be troubled. You have faith in God; have faith also in me."
This verse packs a powerful punch. All the key words are here. This is a golden day for contemplation.
Jesus. So often I call out His name. In my distress, I call out to Him. Jesus! Can you hear me? I need you. I need you now. Reach for me. Take hold of me. Jesus, I love you. Jesus, I need you. Jesus, please help me.
He answers me. Do not let your heart be troubled. Have faith in God; have faith also in me.
Faith. Have faith in God; have faith also in me. I'm trying. But it's so hard. I wish it were easier. It's so hard when it requires so much change. Why can't I just do it? Why does my body ache? Faith. I need faith. I need more faith. I need the faith the size of a mustard seed. How else do I expect to move the obstacles in my life?
He answers me. I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father, except through me.
Troubled hearts. Thomas asked, "Master, we do not know where you are going; how can we know the way?" Philip said, "Master, show us the Father." Thank God the Apostles asked tough questions. But gosh! Why are the best questions always asked at the worst moments?
Difficulties make us think. They make us question everything, including ourselves. Think man, think! How do you make God laugh? Tell Him all your plans. How does God make people cry? By letting them follow their own pipedreams.
Sure, difficulties help us grow. But at a high price. The price of sleepless and restless nights, and stressful and agonizing days.
There is no doubt about it. The most troubled hearts come from the most wayward lives.
Jesus answers me: Follow me...I am preparing a place for you.
His Plan is my place. His Will is my thrown.
Jesus said to his disciples. Every single word of His was always meant to calm our fears. How incredible is that! And even while under tremendous anguish, the Lord still found time to soothe our nerves. His words, though spoken so long ago, still resonate in our lives and in our hearts, even today.
Do not let your hearts be troubled. Have faith in God; have faith also in me.
"Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you" (Ps 33:22).
Amen. Amen.
Today has been one of those days where I doubt my faith in God's plan and this meditation came just in time. Thank you Fr. Alfonse. God bless!
ReplyDeleteDear Father,
ReplyDeleteWhy are so many so resist to the faith? Sometimes I feel so alien about it... The conviction I hold, the amount of blind faith. Faith teaches love, hope, all that is good, and I am tried in being made to feel foolish and futile in my belief... I can't stand the alien part To feel so extreme in my reason to induce everything we do with the word. I am so fallible and unworthy but God and His son are the cure. It's not just "truth" those who disbelieve try to inject, it's infliction of death. The death of what supplies us with His life-giving spirit...
No one really gets into the fight you have to put up sometimes in proclaiming the word in our world. I lay here with tears but I know now to teach about the faith more in actions than words...
Thank you for your faith when mine stumbles.