Jesus ascends to Heaven, but assures: I will be with you!
José Ricardo F. Bezerra “At that time, the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”” (Mt 28:16-20) Introduction Today we celebrate the Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord. In some places it is celebrated on ...

Jesus Reveals the Father: Whoever Has Seen Me Has Seen the Father
The Gospel of John 14:1-12, proclaimed on this Fifth Sunday of Easter, Year A, is set within Jesus’ long farewell discourse at the Last Supper (Jn 13–17). The apostles have just heard the announcement of Judas’ betrayal and Peter’s denial, and their hearts are troubled. It is in this context that Jesus pronounces the words of consolation that open this Sunday’s Gospel: “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You have faith in God; have faith also in me” (Jn 14:1). The verse that synthesizes today’s meditation, however, is Philip’s request and Jesus’ answer: “Show us the Father, and that will be enough for us” — “Whoever has seen me has seen the Father” (Jn 14:8-9). It is one of ...

Jesus, the Good Shepherd: “The Sheep Hear His Voice”
The Gospel of John 10:1-10, proclaimed on the 4th Sunday of Easter, invites us to contemplate one of the most beautiful and consoling images in all of Scripture: Jesus as the Good Shepherd. Although today’s passage does not explicitly contain the phrase “I am the Good Shepherd” (which appears in the Gospel Acclamation and in the continuation, John 10:11), it is wholly a catechesis on Jesus’ pastoring. The verse that summarizes today’s reflection is: “The sheep hear His voice.” (Jn 10:3). To situate this passage well, Monsignor Cattenoz, bishop emeritus of Avignon, who lived as a shepherd of sheep in North Africa before even becoming a priest, used to tell that every shepherd has his own call to gather the ...