Fifth Sunday of Easter  Gospel A

"Do not let your hearts be troubled. 
· What has Jesus said that could cause them to be disturbed? He has already talked about one of the twelve betraying him and about his imminent death. Also the possibility of his departure disturbed them.

You have faith in God; have faith also in me.
· The answer is not fear but faith in the Father and in Jesus.
· When we feel troubled in spirit, do we turn to the Lord and trust in him or do we seek answers elsewhere? Do we allow fear to rule us rather than faith in God? How often has fear been the focus and not faith?

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."  
· Jesus gives them words of comfort and assurances of being with them  again, even after he leaves them for a while.
· Meditate on these words. What is Jesus saying to you?

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.
· This is one of the many "I am" sayings of this Gospel (6:35; 8:12; 9:5; 10:7; 11; 11:25; 15:1).
· Jesus is the way in so far as he goes before us, setting the direction which will lead to the Father and eternal life. How faithfully do we follow Jesus?
· Jesus is the truth, which if one follows, enters into eternal life. Do we accept the full message of Jesus without reservation?
· Jesus is the giver of life who has come that we may have life abundantly. Do we desire that full life which only Jesus can give?
· How often do we follow Jesus, believe in his word, share consciously his life?

No one comes to the Father except through me.
· There is no other way to the Father except through Jesus. Even for those who do not know Jesus, if they are saved it is through the death and resurrection of Jesus.
· Do we know how to rest in the Father’s arms so that he can reveal the deeper understanding of Jesus to us?

 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. 
· Both Jesus’ words and works reveal the words and works of the Father. Even in his humanity Jesus is one in the Father and the Father is one in him.

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. 
· Reflect on this statement. What were the works—the signs and wonders--Jesus did? If we believe in him, should we not be open to those same works being evidenced in us? This is a challenging statement.
· Any other reflections?