May 2, 2026
Memorial of Saint Athanasius, Bishop and Doctor of the Church
Gospel: John 14:7-14

Today is Saturday of the Fourth Week of Easter. The Church commemorates Saint Athanasius today. According to his biography, he was one of the Eastern Church Fathers. During his lifetime, he served as Bishop of Alexandria in Egypt. In the year 325, he combated the Arian heresy, defining that Jesus is consubstantial and perfectly equal with God the Father, thus laying a historic foundation for the theology of the Trinity. He passed away on May 2, 373.

Today’s Mass Gospel continues with the discourse from the Gospel of John, consisting of Jesus’ farewell words to His disciples before His Passion.

Sometimes, we strive mightily to change this world; we desire to make it a better place. In our eyes, only we ourselves can change this world. Likewise, we tend to project our own vision of a better life onto Jesus, just as Philip did. For Philip and the Jews of that time, they hoped Jesus would be the Messiah who would defeat the Romans for them. They regarded Jesus merely as a Rabbi from Galilee. Although they witnessed His works and heard His teachings, because they failed to view Jesus’ works and understand all He taught according to the new world belonging to God, they ended up saying to Jesus, as Philip did: “Lord, show us the Father, and that will be enough for us.” (cf. Jn 14:8) This is precisely what belongs to those who belong to this passing world, for since they cannot see Jesus clearly, they cannot see the Father dwelling in Jesus either.

What work was Jesus doing? During His earthly life, He constantly performed miracles and proclaimed the true doctrine. To save us, He was even willing to die on the Cross, using the water from His sacred side to wash away our offenses and atone for the sin committed by Adam and Eve in their disobedience. He also gave us the blood from His side, so that our souls would thirst no more. At the Last Supper, He gave us His own Body, providing nourishment not only for our perishable bodies but also for our souls, so that by receiving His Body and Blood, we might receive benefit. He does nothing on His own, but it is the Father dwelling in Him who does all these things.

Dear brothers and sisters: Through the reception of Baptism and the anointing of the Holy Spirit, we are perfectly united to the risen Lord Jesus Christ. If we listen to the Word of God externally while our hearts are not within the sanctuary, then we have not truly accepted the Word of God. If we receive the Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ without entering into our inner room, then we are rejecting the Word of God who descends into our hearts to nourish us with His unconditional love.

May Saint Athanasius intercedes for us before the throne of God, so that our thoughts, words, and deeds may become daily more conformed to Christ and progress ever more towards holiness.

Almighty ever-living God, who raised up the Bishop Saint Athanasius as an outstanding champion of your Son’s divinity, mercifully grant, that, rejoicing in his teaching and his protection, we may never cease to grow in knowledge and love of you. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever.

©Totus Tuus 2026
Cum Approbatione Ecclesiastica