My dear beloved sisters and brothers,
Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ!
This week I am in Cranbrook, BC for the CWL Diocesan Convention. I humbly ask for your prayers—for all the women of our diocese, that they may grow ever closer to Jesus and continue to serve Him faithfully in His people. Your prayers strengthen not only their mission, but the whole Church.
Our Gospel (John 14: 1-12) this Sunday speaks gently but powerfully into the realities of our lives: “Do not let your hearts be troubled.” These are not empty words. Jesus speaks them on the eve of His Passion, when uncertainty and fear surrounded His disciples. Many of us today carry similar burdens—worries about family, health, the future, or the loss of loved ones. Yet in the midst of all this, Jesus invites us to trust. He does not promise a life without trials. Instead, He promises His presence: “I will come again and will take you to myself.” The Risen Lord fulfills this promise—bringing peace, forgiveness, and the gift of the Holy Spirit. Our faith is rooted not in wishful thinking, but in the living presence of Jesus Christ who walks with us.
In the first reading (Acts 6: 1-7), we see the early Church facing tension and practical challenges. Yet, guided by the Spirit, they respond with wisdom, creating new roles of service so that no one is neglected. This reminds us that faith is not only prayer, but action. A healthy Church is one where each person serves according to their gifts, building unity and caring for the most vulnerable.
Saint Peter (1 Peter 2: 4-9) reminds us that we are “living stones,” built upon Jesus Christ, the cornerstone. Each of us has a place in this spiritual house. Each prayer, each act of kindness, each sacrifice offered in love becomes part of something greater than ourselves.
And so we return to Jesus’ words: “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life.” He is not merely pointing the way—He is the way. When our hearts are troubled, we are invited not to search endlessly for answers, but to remain close to Him. In this Eucharist, let us place our fears before the Lord. Let us trust that He is preparing a place for us. And let us continue, together, as a community of faith, to walk in His way—with hope, courage, and love. Amen.
God Loves You! ~ Fr. Neil