Way Truth and Life

 The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today, May Day: International Workers Day, invite us to ponder the Way, Truth, and Life of Jesus to guide our work and organization for justice and life giving work for all in the Vineyard of the Lord.

The Way

The Reading from the Acts of the Apostles proclaims the theme of the Galilean witnesses.

* [13:31] The theme of the Galilean witnesses is a major one in the Gospel of Luke and in Acts and is used to signify the continuity between the teachings of Jesus and the teachings of the church and to guarantee the fidelity of the church’s teachings to the words of Jesus. (Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 13 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 2 praises making the Israelite king the earthly representative of God.

* [Psalm 2] A royal Psalm. To rebellious kings (Ps 2:1–3) God responds vigorously (Ps 2:4–6). A speaker proclaims the divine decree (in the legal adoption language of the day), making the Israelite king the earthly representative of God (Ps 2:7–9) and warning kings to obey (Ps 2:10–11). The Psalm has a messianic meaning for the Church; the New Testament understands it of Christ (Acts 4:25–27; 13:33; Heb 1:5). (Psalms, PSALM 2 | USCCB, n.d.)

In the Gospel of John, Jesus presents the Last Supper Discourses.

* [14:1–31] Jesus’ departure and return. This section is a dialogue marked off by a literary inclusion in Jn 14:1, 27: “Do not let your hearts be troubled.”

* [14:1] You have faith: could also be imperative: “Have faith.”

* [14:3] Come back again: a rare Johannine reference to the parousia; cf. 1 Jn 2:28.

* [14:4] The way: here, of Jesus himself; also a designation of Christianity in Acts 9:2; 19:9, 23; 22:4; 24:14, 22.

* [14:6] The truth: in John, the divinely revealed reality of the Father manifested in the person and works of Jesus. The possession of truth confers knowledge and liberation from sin (Jn 8:32). (John, CHAPTER 14 | USCCB, n.d.)

Tamora Whitney comments that, in the first reading, Paul says Jerusalem did not recognize Jesus when he was alive and did not understand that he was the one.

Jesus says in the gospel that he is the way, the truth, and the life. And those who recognize him and follow him will have a place prepared and waiting. But as we have seen lately, it is hard to recognize Jesus. Even those closest to him have not recognized him. Those who were around him and heard him talk did not recognize him. And following him is not the easiest path. Recognizing him means realizing he is the one and that he is the way. And following that way means doing what is right, and looking out for others and not just ourselves. I look around, and I am afraid that not everyone gets it, and I am concerned about the state of the world. I wish everyone here actually recognized and was following. I think it would be great if this was a safe place. But I am still comforted to know that a place is prepared, and there is a path to follow to get there. (Whitney, n.d.)

Don Schwager quotes  “Walk by faith in the truth,” by Augustine of Hippo, 354-430 A.D.

"Persevere now in walking by faith in the truth, that you may succeed in coming at a definite and due time to the sight of the same truth. For as the apostle says, 'While staying here in the body, we are away from the Lord. For we are walking by faith, not by sight' (2 Corinthians 5:6-7). We are led to the direct sight and vision of the Father by Christian faith. That is why the Lord says, 'No one comes to the Father except through me.'" (excerpt from SERMON 12.5) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on John 14:1-6 comments that it’s easy to relate to Thomas’ frustration. It’s normal to feel uncertain and to long for a clear road map to our Father’s house. But what Thomas and the other disciples didn’t yet understand is that they didn’t need a map to reach this destination; they needed a Person.

Now ascended to heaven, Jesus calls us to live in trust and surrender to our Father. And it’s not beyond our reach! Jesus will teach us, mold us, and help us to live as God’s children. He will show us how to stay close to our Father, know his will, and carry it out, just as he did.

What a comfort! The more you spend time with Jesus, the more you will know “the way,” and the farther you will travel down the road to union with God. The way is a Person, to know and love. And this Person is Jesus, who loves you. (Meditation on John 14:1-6, n.d.)

“Thank you, Jesus! You are my way.”

Friar Jude Winkler comments that, in Acts, Paul continues his discourse to the Jews and “God fearers,” in the synagogue in Antioch of Pisidia. Today, he proclaims how Jesus preached the Gospel and Paul tells them it fulfills the prophecy in Psalm 2 “You are my Son”. This proclamation is a revealing of truth and a challenge to the community. Many of the early converts from Judaism were the “God fearers” and they joined the “new group”. In John’s Gospel, the Last Support discourse, Jesus is going away to prepare a place for them and then return. Jesus proclaims He is the Way to do what God wants of us to reveal the Love of God. The Truth means we hear the very message of God as a faithful witness. The Life of Vitality is experienced by embracing the knowledge of Jesus. Friar Jude comments that the measure given to Martha of living in Jesus is the measure of how much we are loving.

Father Richard Rohr, OFM, teaches that a practice of contemplation carries us into the “Big River” of God’s love, enabling us to release our fears. 

 

I believe that faith might be precisely that ability to trust the Big River of God’s providential love, which is to trust its visible embodiment (the Christ), the flow (the Holy Spirit), and the source itself (the Creator). This is a divine process that we don’t have to change, coerce, or improve. We just need to allow it and enjoy it. That takes immense confidence in God, especially when we’re hurting. Often, we feel ourselves get panicky and quickly want to make things right. We lose our ability to be present and go up into our heads and start obsessing. At that point we’re not really feeling or experiencing things in our hearts and bodies. We’re oriented toward making things happen, trying to push or even create our own river. Yet the Big River is already flowing through us and each of us is only one small part of it. 

Faith does not need to push the river precisely because it is able to trust that there is a river. The river is flowing; we are already in it. This is probably the deepest meaning of “divine providence.” So do not be afraid. We have been proactively given the Spirit by a very proactive God.  Rohr, R. (n.d.)

We contemplate the great gift of the Spirit that guides our journey in the Way, Truth, and Life of Jesus.

References

Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 13 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved May 1, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/acts/13?26 

John, CHAPTER 14 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved May 1, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/14? 

Meditation on John 14:1-6. (n.d.). Word Among Us. Retrieved May 1, 2026, from https://wau.org/meditations/2026/05/01/1555375/ 

Psalms, PSALM 2 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved May 1, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/2?6 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). A River of Safety. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved May 1, 2026, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/a-river-of-safety/

Schwager, D. (n.d.). Do Not Let Your Hearts Be Troubled! Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved May 1, 2026, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/ 

Whitney, T. (n.d.). Daily Reflection. Creighton Online Ministries: Home. Retrieved May 1, 2026, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/daily-reflections/daily-reflection-may-1-2026 

Born Again to Boldness

 The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today invite us to contemplate our call to boldness and renewed action to accept the prompting of the Spirit to be visible as followers of Jesus in our environment.

New Life in Community

The Reading from the Book of Acts asserts the Power of Prayer of the Community

* [4:27] Herod: Herod Antipas, ruler of Galilee and Perea from 4 B.C. to A.D. 39, who executed John the Baptist and before whom Jesus was arraigned; cf. Lk 23:6–12.

* [4:31] The place…shook: the earthquake is used as a sign of the divine presence in Ex 19:18; Is 6:4. Here the shaking of the building symbolizes God’s favorable response to the prayer. Luke may have had as an additional reason for using the symbol in this sense the fact that it was familiar in the Hellenistic world. Ovid and Virgil also employ it. (Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 4 | USCCB, n.d.)

In Psalm 2, God responds vigorously to rebellious kings.

* [Psalm 2] A royal Psalm. To rebellious kings (Ps 2:1–3) God responds vigorously (Ps 2:4–6). A speaker proclaims the divine decree (in the legal adoption language of the day), making the Israelite king the earthly representative of God (Ps 2:7–9) and warning kings to obey (Ps 2:10–11). The Psalm has a messianic meaning for the Church; the New Testament understands it of Christ (Acts 4:25–27; 13:33; Heb 1:5). (Psalms, PSALM 2 | USCCB, n.d.)

In the Gospel of John, Jesus instructs Nicodemus about the necessity of a new birth from above.

* [3:1–21] Jesus instructs Nicodemus on the necessity of a new birth from above. This scene in Jerusalem at Passover exemplifies the faith engendered by signs (Jn 2:23). It continues the self-manifestation of Jesus in Jerusalem begun in Jn 2. This is the first of the Johannine discourses, shifting from dialogue to monologue (Jn 3:11–15) to reflection of the evangelist (Jn 3:16–21). The shift from singular through Jn 3:10 to plural in Jn 3:11 may reflect the early church’s controversy with the Jews.

* [3:1] A ruler of the Jews: most likely a member of the Jewish council, the Sanhedrin; see note on Mk 8:31.

* [3:3] Born: see note on Jn 1:13. From above: the Greek adverb anōthen means both “from above” and “again.” Jesus means “from above” (see Jn 3:31) but Nicodemus misunderstands it as “again.” This misunderstanding serves as a springboard for further instruction.

* [3:8] Wind: the Greek word pneuma (as well as the Hebrew rûah) means both “wind” and “spirit.” In the play on the double meaning, “wind” is primary. (John, CHAPTER 3 | USCCB, n.d.)

David Crawford takes a look at how Nicodemus arrived on the scene.

It is humbling to think how much I can be like Nicodemus. Too often, I show up in prayer, worship, or service on my own schedule, when I find it convenient. Frequently, I self-righteously think my platitudes of praise should please God, especially considering what an upstanding person I am and how many “good” things I do. Many times, my initial response to God speaking – through Scriptures, homilies, prayers, etc. – is to dismiss anything that challenges me to see the world in new ways. …

To recap: Nicodemus arrived a bit arrogantly; and he learned humility. Nicodemus wanted to know if Jesus was worthy enough to merit a relationship; and he discovered that he was the one who was not worthy. Nicodemus showed up likely satisfied with who he had become – a respected leader of the Jewish community, a Pharisee known for piety and knowledge of the Law; and in a short time, Jesus began the transformation of Nicodemus into a person whose words and actions would be more in line with what God wants. We should all be so lucky. (Crawford, n.d.)

Don Schwager quotes “Reborn and Fed by the Spirit,” by Augustine of Hippo, 354-430 A.D.

"And then that rebirth, which brings about the forgiveness of all past sins, takes place in the Holy Spirit, according to the Lord's own words, 'Unless one is born of water and the Spirit, one cannot enter the kingdom of God.' But it is one thing to be born of the Spirit, another to be fed by the Spirit; just as it is one thing to be born of the flesh, which happens when a mother gives birth, and another to be fed from the flesh, which appears when she nurses the baby. We see the child turn to drink with delight from the bosom of her who brought it forth to life. Its life continues to be nourished by the same source which brought it into being." (excerpt from Sermon 71.19) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on John 3:1-8 comments that in truth, it takes time for us to grow into the people Jesus wants us to become. It’s a gradual process of learning a new way of life, of trying and sometimes failing, of growing and changing, of getting used to hearing God’s voice and receiving the love and grace of his Spirit. But for any of that to happen, we need to keep seeking the Lord. We can’t just wait to absorb our new life. 

St. Ignatius of Loyola is a clear example. Laid up in bed as he recovered from a wound sustained in battle, he realized that thinking about the glory he might achieve as a soldier left him feeling oppressed. But imagining himself imitating the saints lifted his heart and filled him with excitement. He later said that his eyes “were opened a little” to see how fulfilling life in Christ could be. And with that small revelation, Ignatius started to change. He longed to be with the Lord in prayer. He sought forgiveness for his sins. He wanted to spend his life sharing the good news of Christ—and that’s exactly what he ended up doing!

How have your eyes been “opened a little”? What’s the next step you can take to live your new life in the kingdom of God?

“Jesus, open my eyes as you opened St. Ignatius’ eyes!” (Meditation on John 3:1-8, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments that, in the Acts passage, Peter and John speak after interrogation by the Jewish authorities about continuing to praise God. The secular powers had no authority over them, as they are guided by the Holy Spirit. This is not as prominent in Luke’s Gospel, but in Acts the Spirit guides the Church. In the Gospel of John, Nicodemus comes to Jesus three times at night in fear, second, defending Him with the Law, and third to bury Jesus. In ancient writing people are what they were but in John’s Gospel we are to continue to grow until we die. Jesus clears up the role of  Baptism, as some were attacking the Sacraments. We have to participate in the Sacraments and we have to accept the Spirit as necessary against our concupiscence or “fleshiness”. Friar Jude declares we have to be born again in the Holy Spirit to allow God to lead us in the direction of love.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, considers how Jesus calls us to be liberated from the agendas of our inflated egos. Scholarship today is discovering a much more radical and demanding Jesus than either Catholicism or Protestantism was ever ready for.

We distorted the message so it wasn’t primarily about a transformation of the ego but freedom from the body self. We largely transferred everybody’s guilt concerns toward the body. We concentrated on repressing and punishing the body, not giving the body too much pleasure, freedom, or delight. It’s not that there aren’t issues there, but the ego, in my opinion, has gotten away scot-free in the Western church. We allowed egos to get out of control while being quite anxious to appear chaste, self-disciplined, and not too greedy. …

Liberation from the ego self is liberation from the world of forms and images. Jesus’s word for that was mammon: “You cannot serve God and mammon” (Matthew 6:24). If we’re playing the game of appearance and power, prestige, and possessions, Jesus says we cannot know God. That’s pretty absolute! There’s a correlation between our preoccupation with image and how much—or how little—we’ve experienced the inner life.  

Jesus also liberates us from the ego self by his constant warnings against negativity and oppositional thinking. In general, his word for that liberation is forgiveness. Two thirds of Jesus’s teaching is directly or indirectly about forgiveness. To live oppositionally is to be holding some degree of resentment or unhealed negative energy that we have not brought to the divine presence for transformation.  (Rohr, n.d.)

We seek openness to be “born again” in the life of the Spirit that rejects ego and self aggrandizement and supports acceptance, love, and forgiveness.

References

Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 4 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Bible Readings. Retrieved April 13, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/acts/4?23 

Crawford, D. (n.d.). Daily Reflection. Creighton Online Ministries: Home. Retrieved April 13, 2026, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/daily-reflections/daily-reflection-april-13-2026 

John, CHAPTER 3 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved April 13, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/3? 

Meditation on John 3:1-8. (n.d.). Word Among Us. Retrieved April 13, 2026, from https://wau.org/meditations/2026/04/13/1542985/ 

Psalms, PSALM 2 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved April 13, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/2?1 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). Daily Meditations — Center for Action and Contemplation. Liberation from the Ego’s Agenda. Retrieved April 13, 2026, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/liberation-from-the-egos-agenda/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). Unless One Is Born Anew. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved April 13, 2026, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/