Friday 5 May, 2023 | Fourth Week of Easter |Readings: Acts 13:26-33; Psalm 2:6-11; John 14:1-6 (You can find these in full on the Universalis website – Click here)
On one occasion, when sending out his followers who were faced by a crossroads, St Francis of Assis instructed them to quickly spin on the spot. When they stopped spinning, they were to take the direction in which they were facing. Disoriented and perhaps a little giddy, they moved on in one direction. Rather than standing confused not knowing which way to turn they moved on, trusting in God, travelling through all the crossroads they would meet along the way.
In the gospel reading today, Thomas and the other disciples don’t know which way to turn. They are left restless and spinning, stuck to the spot. Jesus has been talking about his own departure and this leaves them sad and anxious. Their hearts are troubled, their minds confused. ‘Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?’ asks Thomas. We can feel the sadness and fear in his words, but they are met with the beautiful response of Jesus, who tells them that he is the Way, the Truth and the Life.
We are often troubled or filled with anxiety, and not just with personal difficulties and concerns. There is much in the world which confuses us and fills us with fear. At times we can feel so far from God, we can feel as if we have lost our way. We may feel that the whole world has lost its way. But wherever we are, Jesus is close, and if we are close to him, then we shall always be on the right path. ‘Our hearts are restless until they find their rest in you,” wrote St Augustine. Perhaps there will often be a sense of anxiety to our journey of faith, for we are made for God, and our lives will be restless until they rest fully in him. ‘I am the Way, the Truth and the Life,’ said Jesus. These are words for every generation. They can speak to the confusions and fears which fill us and our world as we turn with trust in Christ. The beautiful prayer of St Patrick expresses our need for Christ and his enduring presence along the way. “Christ be with me, Christ within me, Christ behind me, Christ before me, Christ beside me, Christ to win me, Christ to comfort and restore me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me, Christ in quiet, Christ in danger, Christ in hearts of all that love me, Christ in mouth of friend and stranger.”
MAKING CONNECTIONS
These posts are part of our endeavour each day to provide a short homily or reflection from the celebration of the Mass of the day. Links are posted on Twitter and Facebook, and you can also sign up for daily emails in your inbox by registering your email below:
MINISTRY AREA MASS
Mass today (Friday 5May, 2023) is celebrated at St Mary’s Church, Butetown at 10am | If you would like to send a prayer request then click on the ‘REQUEST PRAYER’ Button. You can discover more about Worship across the Ministry Area on our Worship page
South Cardiff Ministry Area 