Our Sabbath Scripture Stories – 5th Sunday of Easter – Cycle A

Read or listen to this Sunday’s Mass readings here.

  • Acts 6:1-7
  • 1 Peter 2:4-9
  • John 14:1-12

Everyone seemed a little quieter this morning.  Yesterday had been a long day.  Mr. Pauline’s Uncle George had died, and the family had all gone to the funeral.  While they rejoiced in Uncle George now being in heaven because he was such a good and holy man, they all knew how much they would miss him.

Mary Clare was still commenting on yesterday.  “It was nice that Uncle George was dressed in his navy suit.  I think he wore that same suit to Mass every Sunday as long as I knew him.  He called them his holy clothes.”

Mom agreed.  “And holding his rosary was such a blessing to see.  His rosary was his dear friend, and he was never without it.  What a glorious thing to now be in heaven with Jesus and Mary and all the saints and to be part of the Church Triumphant.”

Dad came into the living room.  “Well, it’s time for our Gospel reading this morning.  I’m not quite sure what reading it is today because I didn’t look ahead with everything going on.   Now let’s see … John, Chapter 14 … verses one to twelve … “

He stopped and stared at his Bible.  “Oh my!” he quietly exclaimed. 

“What is it, Dad?” Vincent asked him.

Dad only replied, “Let me read you our Gospel for today, and see if you can tell me where you may have heard it.”

Dad, slowly and with great emphasis, read the Gospel of John, Chapter 14.  You could tell it held a lot of meaning for him.

 Mary Clare was the first to speak up.  “Dad, that’s the same Gospel reading they had yesterday for Uncle George’s funeral.”

“You’re right, Mary Clare,” said Dad reflectively.  “Many times they have this reading at funerals.”

“Why is that, Dad?” Vincent asked.

“Well,” Dad replied, “it’s because these words of Jesus are so full of hope and encouragement for us to keep pressing on.  You see, Jesus is telling Thomas and Philip that He soon will be leaving them.  Jesus is going ahead of them to prepare a place for them.”

“Sort of like to fix up their room?” Lucy wondered.

“That’s right, Lucy,” Dad grinned.  “Jesus is soon going to ascend into heaven, and Thomas and Philip are sad about Jesus going.  They are going to miss Him.  But Jesus reassures them that there is still work for them to do.  And when the time is right, Philip and Thomas will once again rejoin Jesus when they reach heaven.”

“So,” Mom added, “we often hear these words to comfort us at times of separation.  Jesus was leaving Philip and Thomas, much like Uncle George has left us … temporarily that is, for we will be together again in eternal life.” 

Dad smiled.  “We hear Jesus say, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life.’  (John 14:6)  Jesus tells us that the work of God the Father was also His work, and because He is ascending into heaven, it is now our work.  In fact, Jesus tells us in the last line, ‘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.’ “  (John 14:12)

“Those are encouraging words for all of us,” Mrs. Pauline nodded.  “We all have to keep doing good works to reach our own place in heaven.  Because Uncle George was such a good and holy man, I know he is rejoicing today in that very special place that Jesus prepared just for him.”

“I’m still going to miss him,” little Hillary said softly.

“I know, Hillary, I will, too,” her Dad said as he swept her up in his arms.  “But let’s remember the words of Jesus, ‘Do not let your hearts be troubled.  You have faith in God; have faith also in me.’ “  (John 14:1)

And little Hillary gently whispered, “Amen.”

“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.”
(John 14:3)

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Cycle A, 5 Easter, SSSDownload

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