Acts 6:1–7; Psalm 33; 1 Peter 2:4–9; John 14:1–12
Authentic Life in Christ
Dear friends,
As we celebrate the Fifth Sunday of Easter, we draw closer to the Ascension of our Lord. The liturgy today presents Christ in a paradoxical way: as a source of light and life for some, and as a stumbling block for others. He is the visible sign of the invisible God, yet at the same time, those who resist the truth find themselves tripping over Him.
Consider an image: a rope stretched across a path, invisible to the naked eye but perceptible to one who is attentive. Some will walk safely because they are alert; others will fall because they are unaware. This is how Christ stands in the world. As St. Peter reminds us, He is the cornerstone—precious to those who believe, but a stone over which others stumble. Those who walk in truth recognize Him and move in the light. Those who cling to falsehood inevitably collide with Him.
Faith in Christ sharpens our vision. It enables us to perceive reality as it is. Yet many resist the truth, not because it is unclear, but because it demands responsibility. Falsehood may appear easier, but it is burdensome in its own way. A person living in deceit must constantly manage appearances, conceal facts, and sustain illusions. It is an exhausting existence. In contrast, those who live in truth are free. Their integrity sustains them, even when challenged.
We see this tension in the Gospel narrative itself. The religious authorities rejected Jesus, yet after the resurrection, the truth they tried to suppress became undeniable. While they struggled to maintain their position, ordinary people recognized the light and embraced it. Truth has a way of revealing itself, regardless of opposition.
When Jesus tells Philip, “Whoever has seen me has seen the Father,” He is making a profound claim. He is not merely pointing to God—He is revealing God. What the prophets could only express partially, Christ makes fully visible. In Him, we encounter the very nature of God: compassionate, faithful, patient, just, and merciful. This revelation does not require complex reasoning, but a disposition of faith.
Yet even now, many continue to ask for signs, as though the truth were still hidden. The deeper issue is not lack of evidence, but reluctance to commit. Truth requires a decision. It demands that we take responsibility for our lives. One cannot live in both truth and falsehood at the same time. A choice must be made.
Jesus declares, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” This is not a symbolic statement; it is a concrete path. To know God, we must follow Him. To understand truth, we must reflect on His words. To possess life, we must embody His teachings. Without fidelity, reflection, and authenticity, we cannot fully benefit from what Christ offers.
Our Christian vocation, then, is not only to believe in Christ but to become His visible presence in the world. We are called to be living signs—so that others, encountering us, encounter Him.
God has created a world rich in beauty and opportunity. He has given all creatures the instinct to survive, but the wisdom to live meaningfully is granted to those who actively seek it. It is not handed over casually; it is discovered through effort, reflection, and sincerity. Complaining about reality does not transform it. In fact, it often deepens frustration. A more useful question is this: how much of our energy is spent complaining, and how much is invested in change?
Dear friends, the invitation today is direct: choose truth, walk in it, and become its witness.
Have a blessed Sunday.
Fr. Lawrence Muthee, SVD
SVD JAMBO KENTAN 