May 3, 2026
Fifth Sunday of Easter Year A
Gospel: John 14:1–12

Today the Church celebrates the Fifth Sunday of Easter. The passage from the Gospel of Saint John further reveals to us the path toward growth in holiness. I would like to take this opportunity to offer some reflections.

We often place our sense of security in fellow creatures who, like us, are subject to corruption and decay. In our eyes, those who live closely with us day by day, and every word that comes from their lips, become the source of our comfort. Imperceptibly, we begin to take their words as the norm for our lives. Gradually, our hearts drift away from God, because we regard all that they say as though it were the Gospel of the Kingdom revealed to us through them. When they leave us—for whatever reason—we become like the disciples when they heard that Jesus was about to leave them: deeply troubled and unsettled.

The Lord Christ, rich in mercy, did not forget to console His disciples at the moment of parting (cf. Jn 14:1–4). To keep those who had followed Him from Galilee to Jerusalem from grieving over His departure—for, like Thomas called Didymus, they were immersed in this shifting world and could not yet discern their vocation—they said to Him, “Lord, we do not know where You are going; how can we know the way?” (cf. Jn 14:5). Jesus answered them, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (cf. Jn 14:6). For Jesus did not come into this world to condemn it, but so that through the sacrifice He offered on the Cross, all humanity might be reconciled with the Father and with the world itself. Thus, through all that He proclaimed and through the atoning sacrifice He offered to the Father on the Cross, humanity receives forgiveness of sins and begins a new life in Him.

As I have often emphasized, from the moment a Christian receives the Baptism of our Lord Jesus Christ, his earthly life is perfectly united with the eternal life of Jesus Christ. Anointed with the Holy Spirit, he must courageously embrace the mission of evangelization. This mission requires a complete transformation of self, so that one’s thoughts, words, and actions fully conform to those of Jesus Christ. Then, those who live closely with us will gradually perceive in our lives the reflection of Jesus Christ. They will walk with us, through Jesus Christ, to the merciful Father; through the Church, come to know and accept the teaching of the Word of God; and through the Eucharist, receive the abundant life found in Jesus Christ. In this way, the love of God is brought to fulfilment in the hearts of all who are called to be His people.

Almighty ever-living God,
constantly accomplish the Paschal Mystery within us,
that those you were pleased to make new in Holy Baptism
may, under your protective care, bear much fruit
and come to the joys of life eternal.
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