The first part of the Gospel that we hear this Sunday is a very common Gospel choice for Funeral Masses. It gives those who are gathered to mourn a sense of comfort that Jesus has prepared a place for their loved one who has died in the Heavenly Kingdom, and has promised to take us to himself, so that where he is, we may also be. However, there is a lot more to this passage than just this reality!
In this passage, Jesus reminds us that he is the way, the truth, and the life. Jesus is the way that leads to the Father, the truth that sets us free, and the life that fills us with gladness, and knows no end. It is Jesus who gathers us into one family, and makes us one body, one spirit in Christ, as we hear in the Eucharistic Prayer. This is often where the passage ends at funerals: but today, we keep reading.
As we read the next part of the Passage, we hear Philip ask Jesus to show them the Father. After a bit of dialogue, Jesus states that “whoever believes in me will do the works that I do.” This is a reminder to us that being part of the body of Christ is not a passive reality. We are called to be active in our faith, and to be intentional about the way in which we live. We are called to treat others with compassion and kindness, and always strive to build up the unity of the body of Christ on earth, in preparation for the eternal unity of the Body of Christ in the Kingdom of Heaven. As we near the Feast of Pentecost, it is a perfect time for us to begin to pray for the guidance of the Holy Spirit, asking that we may be given knowledge of God’s will, and the strength to carry it out.
As we enter into the Month of May, I am pleased to welcome Sr. Connie Harrington to our Family of Parishes staff. Sr. Connie will serve as the Outreach Coordinator for St. Alphonsus Cares, and will be working to launch that program in the coming months. You will also notice some new construction at St. Alphonsus, as we construct some new office and meeting space for our outreach programs, and for Parish use. I am looking forward to expanding our outreach ministry into the downtown core, so that we as a Parish community may continue to strive to do the works of the Lord.
Sincerely in Christ,
Fr. Steven Huber, CSB