Encountering Christ
Fifth Sunday of Easter (A)
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
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.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
This well-loved passage from the Scriptures has meant so much to so many people since the time of Christ. For those looking for direction, Jesus says, “I am the way.” For those looking for answers, Jesus says, “I am the truth.” For those looking for meaning, Jesus says, “I am the life.” As Christians, we should realize that Jesus is saying that the heart of Christianity isn’t simply the Church’s teachings, but the Person of Jesus Christ.
We must encounter Jesus Christ in order to come to the Father. Jesus (not just good choices) is the way to God the Father. Jesus (not just good theology) is the truth that leads us to God the Father. Jesus (not just good living) is the life that we must have in us if we are to live with God the Father. We must come to the Father through Jesus Christ, His Son. Our lives are wasted if we make good choices, study good teachings, and live good lives, but are not united to Christ. In prayer, consider what we can do (what we will do) to make ourselves more available to encounter Christ.
As a family, pray a portion of the Rosary together (very short if children are young) reflecting on the Scripture passage above. (Optional: allow a brief time for discussion or questions from children concerning their thoughts and prayer.)
Reminder for Parents: Pier is just meant to be a jumping off point. The real goal is that you pray & eventually use the fruits of your personal prayer as the content of your family’s prayer. Duc in altum.
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