2026 Cycle A - 5th Sunday Easter

Readings

5th Sunday Easter

Acts 6: 1-7; Psalm 33: 1-2, 4-5, 18-19; 1 Peter 2: 4-9; John 14: 1-12

Homily Theme

The Way

In the first Reading this week, we hear about the great growth of the Early Church and how the Apostles chose men to be the first Deacons to take care of the widows and the poor. This freed the Apostles to take care of the spiritual part of their duties. The Psalm speaks about God’s Mercy as we ask for it to fall upon us along with many other thoughts to digest, most of which we will forget before the homily is even preached.

The second reading has nothing to do with the previous ones either so don’t be surprised if you forget that also. I am sure there will be thousands of different messages from all of our pulpits this week: as many as there are priests to preach them. This reminds me of the two Irish ladies who watched the priest read his entire homily to them. One said to the other, “Glory be to God, If he can’t remember it himself how does he expect us to remember it?”

It was not until I reached the Gospel acclamation that I picked my word for this Sunday. Jesus tells us He is the Way, the truth and the life. When we get lost we need to know the Way. The Gospel confirms that Jesus is the Way the truth and the Life to our final destination. He is also the Way for us to find our way on earth.

The first time I installed a GPS in my car, I was amazed to discover how easily and accurately a voice from such a little instrument could direct me to arrive at my exact destination. I realized at that time, this same voice is directing millions of others also to the place they wished to reach. None of us ever question that and calmly trust that voice as we follow its instructions and find our self at our requested destination. We don’t try to understand it but unquestionably believe it. So don’t doubt Jesus who tells us today in the Gospel, He is the Way, the truth and the life and no one comes to the Father except through Him. Jesus is my GPS and I trust Him. I know and believe that any time I ask for His directions I will find the right answers and The Way. Install Jesus in your heart and turn on to His voice. He will lead you. Jesus tells us all in the Gospel today He is the Way.

If Jesus is your GPS now then follow Him and He will bring you safely Home.

This Sunday in America we are celebrating Mother’s Day. Let us all pray for our Mothers who have raised us in the Faith. Do more for them than bringing them gifts: Go to Mass with them and show them that you still have the Faith. Go to Mary and tell her she is your spiritual Mother in Heaven and show her you are her special child. Happy Mothers Day to all those Mothers on earth and to the mothers who are already in Heaven: You have found the way.