Homily by Deacon Jay Ziolkowski
I remember growing up that when my father took my family on a road trip, he had no “Garmin” to use GPS satellites to guide us on our way. I had my complete trust in him that he knew the way to our destination, after all he’s my dad. He never got us lost. Today, when my family goes on a trip my “GPS” tells me where to turn, what road to take. Getting lost doesn’t happen anymore. My family no longer has to ask “Are we there yet?” or “when are we going to eat?”
The apostles were with Jesus for 3 years, imagine that. Yet time and time again they would see miracles: Jesus fed 5,000 people, He healed the sick and raised the dead, He walked on water and yet they didn’t seem to understand who Jesus was.
It wasn’t until they saw Jesus crucified and raised from the dead that they really believed who Jesus was. Thomas was not totally convinced. Until Thomas placed his hand in Jesus’ wounds then he would say “My Lord and my God.”
I would like to bring your attention to the tabernacle. Do you see the red lamp? No, Jesus is NOT afraid of the dark. It is to remind us that He is really present under the appearance of bread: body, blood, soul and divinity. That light is lit from the Easter Fire, at the Easter Vigil and throughout the Easter Season, this Easter candle is always lit from that lamp, to remind us Jesus IS present.
When troubles come to you and you don’t know what to do or where to go, remember what Jesus tells you. “Do not let your hearts be troubled. I am the way, the truth and the life. I will not leave your orphaned. I will come to you.”