I Am the Way, I Am Truth and Life

Fifth Sunday of Easter - How can we know the way?

I am the Way, I am Truth and Life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you know me, you will know my Father also. John 14: 5-6

 Those who follow Jesus have a mission to proclaim. Pope Francis says that God’s love for us is madness. The Father loved us so much he sent us his son to guide us on the way! Does Pope Francis’ message below, about Jesus pitching his tent in our midst, help us know The Way? The Truth? Does it help us know the Father?

In him was revealed the grace, the mercy, and the tender love of the Father: Jesus is love incarnate. He is not simply a teacher of wisdom, he is not an ideal for which we strive while knowing that we are hopelessly distant from it. He is the meaning of life and history, who has pitched his tent in our midst. Our Father is patient, he loves us, he gives us Jesus to guide us on the way which leads to the promised land. Jesus is the light who brightens the darkness.   From Midnight Mass Homily from Pope Francis. Dec 24 2013

Gospel Reflection John 14:1-12  by Anne Powell

Liturgy of the Word from the Auckland Liturgy Office. Here

Family liturgy of the Word Here.

The month of May is a time when the People of God express their love and devotion for Mary

Image: Maria of the Magnificat, Galeria Agora Marianista. From Marist Messenger 2014

Himene: Mo Marie

Mō Maria aianei,
ō tātou waiata,
Kia kaha rā tātou,
kia nui te aroha.

Chorus:
Mō Maria aianei,
ō tātou waiata,
Kia kaha rā tātou,
kia nui te aroha.

Meaning:  For Mary now, our songs. Let us be strong, let there be great love.

Kei ā koe te Atua;
I whiriwhiria ko-e
Hei Whaea pū anō mō
Hē hu Atua pono.

Meaning: The Lord is with you, you are chosen as Mother of God.

More information and background to this special himene from Aotearoa. Here

Letter for the month of May from Pope Francis. Here 

Kia inoi tatou – Let us pray

Our Lady of Peace, in whom all storms grow still,

Pray at the dawn of the new millennium

That the Church in Oceania will not cease to show

forth the glorious face of your son,

full of grace and truth, so that God will reign

in the hearts of the Pacific peoples

and they will find peace in the world’s true Saviour,

plead for the Church in Oceania that she may have the strength

To follow faithfully the Way of Jesus Christ

To tell courageously the Truth of Jesus Christ

To live joyfully the Life of Jesus Christ.

O help of Christians, protect us.

Bright Star of the Sea, guide us,

Our Lady of Peace, pray for us.

Prayer from the Apostolic Letter – Ecclesia in Oceania 2001