Brothers and Sisters,

The words that Christ directs to us are difficult but are much needed in today’s reading; “Do not let your hearts be troubled.”  Is this not an expression of the greatest concern and love for each of us? Christ enters our everyday life, sees our fears and uncertainties, our worries and our concerns, and he stands in the middle of all this, and says, “Don’t be afraid. I am the Way, the Truth and the Life. I am.” He does not instruct, He does not moralize but only confirms His love. He is always with us, both in our joy and our doubt. Was Philip not his friend, the apostle whom he called, whom he trusted? He said to him in today’s reading: ” I have been with you for so long a time and you still do not know me, Philip?” He knows that on our way to salvation, we will go through different experiences and He assures us that He is with us in each of these experiences. So, “do not let your hearts be troubled.”

Today we celebrate Mother’s Day in the United States. It’s a good time to thank you.  I think each of us has heard these words at least once in our lives from our Mothers: “Everything will be fine.” They are similar to the words of the gospel. I thank my Mother very much for speaking to me with similar words as Jesus did. I thank her for entering my everyday life, seeing my fears and uncertainties, my worries and concerns, standing in the middle of it all and saying, “Don’t be afraid.”  Thank you all, dear Mothers, that so often your voice sounds like the voice of Jesus.

Your Priest,

Fr. Paul