In today's Gospel, we remember Jesus' words at the last supper, “I am the way and the truth and the life.” He reminds us that God is in Him and He is in God, and only through Him will salvation be found.
Father in Heaven we praise and glorify you. Thank you for the gift of your Son Jesus, who is a model of how we are to love you and love one another. Please send us the Holy Spirit so we too, can be a model of love for our neighbors. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.
Jesus said to his disciples: "Do not let your hearts be troubled. You have faith in God; have faith also in me. In my Father's house there are many dwelling places. If there were not, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back again and take you to myself, so that where I am you also may be. Where I am going you know the way." Thomas said to him, "Master, 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, then you will also know my Father. From now on you do know him and have seen him. "Philip said to him, "Master, show us the Father, and that will be enough for us." Jesus said to him, "Have I been with you for so long a time and you still do not know me, Philip? 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 speak to you I do not speak on my own. The Father who dwells in me is doing his works. Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else, believe because of the works themselves. Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever believes in me will do the works that I do, and will do greater ones than these, because I am going to the Father."
Source: CATHOLIC KIDS MEDIA. (2020, May). Faith in Jesus! [VIDEO]. YOUTUBE.CATHOLIC KIDS MEDIA. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q86UCGmW-N4
Ask the group: Do you ever say things that sound just like something your parents might say? Let’s share some examples. Encourage volunteers to respond. Ask: How does this similarity make your feel? Encourage volunteers to respond.
Say: Resemblances are common in families. Sometimes we look like other people in our family. Sometimes we act like them or have the same interests.
Say: In this reading Jesus talks to his disciples about the relationship between him and the Father. What does Jesus say about that relationship? (Those who have seen me have seen the Father.) How do the disciples respond to Jesus’ explanation? (Philip seems to doubt the explanation. Philip asks Jesus to show them the Father.)
Say: What Jesus tells us might seem incredible, but it’s true: whoever knows Jesus knows God. Jesus promises the disciples that, even though he’s leaving them for a time, they will be able to do great things. What are two things that today’s Gospel tells us Jesus will do for us? (He will prepare a place for us with the Father. Jesus’ disciples will be able to do the work that Jesus did and more.)
Say: Jesus tells us that he is “the way and the truth and the life.” Through him, we will find eternal life.
Conclude in prayer together that we will always believe that Jesus and the Father are one and that we will remain in union with them to do great things. Pray together the Act of Faith or the Lord’s Prayer.
Come Holy Spirit come, fill our hearts with your peace and love. Help us to have faith that Jesus is God. Help us to follow in his footsteps, in prayer and in works, on the path to salvation, to the place He has saved for us. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.
