Always Guiding Me

A Reflection on the Gospel for May 10th, 2020:
Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time

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John 14.1-12

Jesus said to his disciples: “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also. And you know the way to the place where I am going.”

Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?”

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you know me, you will know my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.”

Philip said to him, “Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied.” Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and you still do not know me? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own; but the Father who dwells in me does his works. Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; but if you do not, then believe me because of the works themselves. Very truly, I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do and, in fact, will do greater works than these, because I am going to the Father.”
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Pause. Pray.

And then read more...

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​”I am the way, and the truth, and the life…”


These words were hammered into our heads growing up. If only we lived by it, if only we believed, if only we followed… but I did not follow.


There was so much wisdom in the lessons we were taught then but there was also so much distraction around. I did not heed those words and I did not live by them. Most of all, I did not feel and realize the love that God had for me.


There was a time when I was living a life of indulgence, a materialistic life of branded possessions and ambition. There was much anger and negativity and so much impatience. Nothing was right with the world. Yet I complied with my Sunday obligation of attending mass which was ingrained in me (my family always attended mass together). When I was old enough to go on my own, I did not stop attending the Sunday masses.

 
I am so blessed that there were programs like Alpha that helped me realize Jesus loves me and wants to have a relationship with me. Reading the scriptures and a regular prayer time opened my eyes to the great privilege of having Jesus beside me all the time, even when I sinned. The Holy Spirit was always there to guide me and shower me with wisdom especially when I had to make big decisions.


One thing has hit me during this period of pandemic and staying home: With more time to reflect on life, a big realization is that even during those times when I was not close to God, my decisions were always guided. I married the man who I believe God had chosen for me. I decided not to go to the US for my Masters—if I did I would have stayed there and would not be here, in Canada. I turned down a very good job opportunity in the company I was in because it would have involved extensive travel and I was not willing to be away from my children for long periods of time. All of these decisions afforded me great blessings and joy with my family.


Now I always ask myself, is this what God wants for me? Is this what Jesus would do? My life now is lived in love for God. He is indeed the Way, the Truth and the Life!


“… the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do…”




Liz Venezuela

Photo by Raychan on Unsplash

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