Shikrot Mpwi – Sunday Synopsis
Fr. Justine John DYIKUK
Dear friends in Christ,
On the Fifth Sunday of Easter, Year A (03 May 2026), I bring you greetings and God’s blessings!
Theme: Jesus, the Way to the Father
Introduction
Dearly beloved in Christ, as pilgrims on earth, our target is heaven. However, no one can get to a destination unless they know the way or have an address. The first thing a cab driver asks a passenger is their destination. It was to answer these questions that Jesus cleared the doubts of the Apostles by saying: “I am the way, the truth, and the life…” (Cf. John 14:6). Jesus urges us to take our spiritual journey seriously.
Review and Summary of the Readings
The first reading (Acts 6:1-7) narrates how the early apostles used the open-door policy, dialogue, and prayer for dispute resolution. They chose seven men of repute to address the discrimination of Hellenist-widows by Hebrew women. This was so they could concentrate on the administration of the word and sacraments. That way, the word of God continued to spread, and the number of disciples and priests increased exponentially.
In the second reading (Peter 2:4-9), St. Peter presents Jesus as the living stone rejected by men but chosen by God. He urges the faithful as a spiritual priesthood to offer themselves as a living sacrifice to God, assuring that anyone who trusts in the Lord will not be disappointed. He refers to the faithful as a royal priesthood, a holy nation, and a people set apart to sing the praises of God.
The Gospel (John 14:6) opens with Jesus’ encouraging words to his disciples: “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God still, and trust in me. There are many rooms in my Father’s House…” The text captures the sober mood of the apostles as Jesus prepares to ascend to his Father. He assures them of eternal redemption, noting that he is the way, the truth, and the life. This was to clear the doubt of Thomas and answer Philip’s question. Jesus promises that believers will perform greater works because he is returning to the Father to continue his intercessory and redemptive role.
Takeaway Lessons
1. Amid a disturbing trend of discrimination based on gender, race, or social class, the heroic example of the early Church should embolden religious, political, and traditional leaders as well as aid workers to use prayer, open-door policy, and mutual respect in the distribution of the earth’s resources.
2. The message of St. Paul in the second invites the faithful to be living stones, building themselves into a spiritual house and holy priesthood, inviting us to offer ourselves as living sacrifices unto God.
3. In a world where Christians are distracted by many inciting routes that lead to destruction, Jesus reminds us that the only WAY to heaven is traveling along the royal road of the cross.
4. In a society polarised by lies, propaganda, deep fakes, disinformation, and misinformation, Jesus reminds us that He is the TRUTH that illumines and purges us of all half-truths.
5. In what Pope Francis describes as a disturbing throw-away culture which terminates life, Jesus insists that He is the LIFE which compels us to respect life from birth to natural death, even as we anticipate eternal life in heaven, where the Lord assures, there are many mansions.
Conclusion
Jesus’ charge “I will not leave you, orphans…” urges us to depend on divine assurance – after all, our heavenly father will never forsake us – little wonder the Bible says: “Those who put their trust in the Lord are like a mountain” (Psalm 25:3). The ongoing wars around the world are causing unnecessary deaths and fears. As such, our liturgy invites us to trust in God. Like the disciples who were afraid that Jesus was going away from them. To He who is the way for our journey, the truth of our knowledge, and the life for our salvation, be praise, glory, and adoration forever and ever. Amen!
