" I am the way, the truth and the life no one comes to the Father but through me."

The Truth: His actions are portrayed as authentic, unselfish, and elevating above human existence.

The Life: Jesus provides spiritual life and eternal communion with God.

 

＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊     

Acts 6:1-7

In those days,

As the number of disciples trew, the so-called Hellenists complained against the so-called Hebrews,

because In those days, as the number of disciples grew, the so-called their widows

were being neglected in the daily distribution.

So the Twelve summoned the whole body of disciples together, and said.

"It is not right that we should neglect the word of God to serve at tables.

So, friends, choose from among yourselves seven respected men, full of Spirit and wisdom,

that we may appoint them to this task. As for us,

we shall give ourselves to prayer, and to the ministry of the word."

 

The whole community agreed; and they chose Stephen,

a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit; Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor,

Timon, Parmenus and Nicolaus of Antioch, who was a proselyte.

They presented these men to the apostles, who first prayed over them,

and then laid hands upon them.

The word of God continued to spread, and the number of the disciples

in Jerusalem increased greatly; and even many priests accepted the faith.

 

Ps 33:1-2, 4-5, 18-19 (22)

Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we put our trust in you.

 

＊＊＊ 2nd Reading ＊＊＊

1 Peter 2:4-9

He is the living stone, rejected by people, but chosen by God, and precious to him;

set yourselves close to him, so that you too become living stones,

built into a spiritual temple, a holy community of priests,

offering spiritual sacrifices that please God, through Jesus Christ. Scripture says:

See, I lay in Zion a chosen and precious cornerstone; whoever believes in him will not be disappointed.

 

This means honor, for you who believed, but for unbelievers,

also the stone which the builders rejected has become the cornerstone and

it is a stone to stumble over, a rock which lays people low.

They stumble over it, in rejecting the word, but the plan of God is fulfilled in this.

You are a chosen race, a community of priest-kings, a consecrated nation,

a people God has made his own, to proclaim his wonders. For he called you,

from your darkness, to his own wonderful light.

 

＊＊＊ Gospel ＊＊＊      

John 14:1-12

Do not be troubled! Trust in God and trust in me!

In my Father's house there are many rooms; otherwise,

I would not have told you that I go to prepare a place for you.

After I have gone and prepared a place for you,

I shall come again and take you to me, so that where I am,

you also may be. Yet you know the way where I am going."

 

Thomas said to him, "Lord, we don't know where you are going;

how can we know the way?" Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth and the life;

no one comes to the Father but through me. If you know me, you will know the Father also;

indeed you know him, and you have seen him." Philip asked him,

"Lord, show us the Father, and that is enough."

 

Jesus said to him, "What! I have been with you so long and you still do not know me, Philip?

Whoever sees me sees 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?

All that I say to you, I do not say of myself.

The Father who dwells in me is doing his own work.

 

Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me;

at least believe it on the evidence of these works that I do.

Truly, I say to you, the one who believes in me will do the same works that I do;

and he will even do greater than these, for I am going to the Father.

 

Gospel Reflection ：

Lectio Divina 

He has promised us a place in the Father's house.

 

Read: In the first reading, the number of Christ's followers

continued to grow while practical everyday concerns interfered with the life of the Church.

This situation led to the establishment of the Church's ministry of deacons.

In the second reading, Peter reminds Christians of their dignity as a people chosen

by God, a point emphasized by Jesus in the gospel

when he told his disciples that those who believe in him have a place in the Father's house. 

 

Reflect: In a world filled with fake news, false ideologies, and rampant individualism,

we are reminded that Jesus is the only true path to life.

Being a Christian is not about following rules or ideologies but about the Lord,

who guides us to authentic existence. In a society that reduces truth to mere opinion,

we are called to focus on the truth of Jesus's teachings.

 

He alone is Life and the giver of life. While our physical bodies signify our earthly existence,

our inner spiritual life imparts deeper meaning, affirming that we are God's children and part of His plan.

As Christians, we are not bound to this world but to an enduring life with the Father in Christ,

who has promised us a place in the Father's house.

 

Pray: Lord, always remind me that being a Christian is not a one-time event but a reality to live

out daily.

 

Act: Demonstrate your faith in Jesus by sharing goodness and love with others.