A reading of the Holy Gospel according to John 14:1-11
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.
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Reflections during the war. ‘Let not your hearts be troubled! Believe in God, believe also in me’ (John 14:1). When Jesus traveled through the cities, towns, and villages of the Holy Land, He gathered disciples and preached about the Kingdom. Simultaneously, He demonstrated through relatable examples what the Kingdom is all about—listening, showing mercy, and healing. Healing is not only about curing physical illnesses and wounds; it is also about a transformation of the heart, liberation from disbelief, the triumph of good over evil, and a resolute rejection of disillusionment. Jesus heals from hemorrhages and blindness, possession and leprosy, paralysis and the ultimate human affliction—death. Healing is the manifestation of God’s love and the embodiment of His Kingdom: ‘He welcomed them and spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and healed those who needed healing’ (Luke 9:11). For the complete healing of a person encompasses both body and soul, as our material world is closely interconnected with the spiritual realm. The Lord sets an example of how we should act and preach—to heal the wounds and afflictions of others, especially in the context of the experienced atrocities of totalitarian regimes that have destroyed and continue to destroy human beings and their dignity.
Prayer intention. Let us thank God for our country, Ukraine, and let us pray for the strengthening of hope, growth in faith, and active love within our nation.
Mission task. Conduct prayers for healing, while also praying for the restoration and healing of the historical memory of our people.
