< <  

Sunday, May 18, 2014

  > >

Fifth Sunday of Easter


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

View Readings
Similar Reflections

jesus, the g.p.s.

"How can we know the way?" —John 14:5

In recent years, the G.P.S., that is, the Global Positioning System, has become extremely popular. The GPS device knows your exact location on earth. You type into the GPS where you want to go. Then the GPS talks to you in a voice that tells you each street to turn on, and exactly where to drive. People trust the voice on the GPS.

Each of us has problems in this life, and we want to know "the way" out of these problems. We'd like a GPS to show us "the way" to get from debt to financial freedom, from addiction to freedom, from discord to unity, etc. We want directions for the way out. We ask: "How can we know the way" out of our situation? (Jn 14:5)

We want a roadmap, but God has a better plan; He gives us directions in the form of a Person: Jesus, the Way (Jn 14:6). Jesus always knows our exact physical location on earth. Moreover, He knows exactly where we are spiritually, emotionally, and mentally. Finally, His plan for us is the perfect will of God!

Our ultimate destination in this life is to spend eternity with God in heaven, and Jesus says: "No one comes to the Father except through Me" (Jn 14:6). Jesus is the Way. Follow Him (Jn 21:19).

Prayer:  Lord Jesus, Your voice tells me whether to turn to the right or to the left (Is 30:20-21). I will do whatever You tell me and follow You the rest of My life (see Jn 2:5).

Promise:  "The eyes of the Lord are upon those who fear Him." —Ps 33:18

Praise:  Praise our risen Lord, "a Stone Which the builders rejected that became a Cornerstone"! (1 Pt 2:7)

Reference:  (This teaching was submitted by a member of our editorial team.)

Rescript:  †Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, October 30, 2013

The Nihil Obstat ("Permission to Publish") is a declaration that a book or pamphlet is considered to be free of doctrinal or moral error. It is not implied that those who have granted the Nihil Obstat agree with the contents, opinions, or statements expressed.