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Saint Gertrude Parish - Lasne
May 3, 2026
On this page you will find:
The readings for Mass, the Mass leaflet with the choice of hymns
A sample universal prayer available for download, in PDF and editable Word formats.
A meditation on the Sunday Gospel, a spiritual text and commentary by Marie-Noëlle Thabut
5th Sunday of Easter
I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life.
said the Lord.
No one goes to the Father
without going through me.
John 14:6
Readings from the Mass
Mass leaflet
Universal Prayer
Consult the Lectio Divina page, which invites you to read the Gospel in a prayerful atmosphere so that you may be touched in your heart. It is important not to rush to read commentaries or homilies before having this personal experience of encountering Christ in Scripture.
Next, if you wish, you can read the meditations below which will enrich your personal reading and meditation.
Méditation
POPE FRANCIS
Meditation
This conversation between Jesus and his disciples takes place at the table, again during the Last Supper (John 14:1-6). Jesus is sad, and everyone is sad: Jesus had said that he would be betrayed by one of them (John 13:21), and each one senses that something terrible is about to happen. Jesus begins to comfort them, for one of the Lord's functions, "works," is to comfort. The Lord comforts his disciples, and here we see how Jesus comforts. We have many ways of offering comfort, from the most genuine to the most formal, like those telegrams of condolence: "Deeply saddened by…". This doesn't comfort anyone; it's a sham, the consolation of formality. But how does the Lord comfort? It's important to know this because we, too, when we have to go through times of sadness in our lives, learn to perceive what the Lord's true consolation is.
And in this passage from the Gospel, we see that the Lord always consoles in closeness, with truth and hope. These are the three characteristics of the Lord's consolation: in close proximity, never distant. These beautiful words: "I am here." "I am here, with you." And so often in silence. But we know he is there. He is always there. This closeness is God's style, even in the Incarnation, to be close to us. The Lord consoles in closeness. And he doesn't use empty words, quite the contrary: he prefers silence. The power of closeness, of presence. And he speaks little. But he is close.
Homily
Draw from the source
We know this Gospel passage well. It is often chosen for funeral services. Jesus is presented to us as "the way." Reading this text, I thought of all those who wander the roads of the world without knowing where they will spend the night. Many had a good life, a job, a family. Then something happened that ultimately threw them into the streets. In many countries, entire families left their homes to flee war. They left without knowing where their path would lead them.
When Jesus tells us that he is the way, it means something else entirely. It is not a path of wandering. He reveals to us the goal and the culmination of our lives. He himself is ever-living with his Father. At the same time, he assures us of his presence among us every day and until the end of the world. He is for us "the Way, the Truth, and the Life." He alone can lead us to the Father. His great plan is to gather all people together. He is preparing a home for us where all will feel welcomed with love.
What we must understand is that Jesus doesn't simply show us the way. He himself is "the Way, the Truth, and the Life." It is in him alone that we find the fullness of truth. His words are those of eternal life. Apart from him, we are lost. No one can go to the Father without going through him. He is the one who reveals to us the true face of God. It is by looking toward heaven that we rediscover the true meaning of our lives. This Gospel is a call to hope, even if we are "shaken" by the uncertainties and trials of life. But succumbing to discouragement would be the worst thing. We can cling to the words of today's psalm: "The Lord watches over those who love him and hope in his love." And Jesus is always there to tell us tirelessly: "Believe in me!"
Understanding the readings
with Marie-Noëlle THABUT
Une parole pour la route
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