Reflection for the 5th Sunday of Easter-2020

Written on: May 6, 2020

Fifth Sunday of Easter

1st Reading: Acts 6:1-7
2nd Reading: 1st Peter 2:4-9
Gospel: John 14: 1-12

So much in today’s readings!  I will focus on John’s Gospel.

Jesus said to His disciples:

“Do not let your hearts be troubled.  You have faith in God; have faith also in me. . .if I prepare a place for you, I will come back again and take you to myself so that where I am you also may be.”

As we listen to Thomas and hear Jesus try to convince the disciples not to be upset but to trust, we hear Jesus telling them that He is the way, the truth and the life.  Once again Jesus was trying to help the disciples understand where He was going for they had been with Him for so long.  However, Phillip and his friends all wanted to see the Father. Phillip just didn’t “get it.

How frustrated do we humans get as we insist on having the answer we want now.  This reminds me of myself as a youngster, pestering my mom with the question “why” when I couldn’t do something. This wasn’t too often because Mom knew how to handle me with one of her looks. I was always curious. I recall one evening when the sun was going down I asked about going out to play.  Of course, I got a “no.” I wondered why, until I looked out the window and saw darkness prevailing.  Seeing was believing for me to understand. Through these little things I learned to trust Mom.

As I dove deeper into Christ’s conversation with Philip, I found we had much in common, especially needing to see to believe.  At this time, through life’s situations, my faith and trust have deepened through the good example of others who surround me and through graces I receive daily.  For this I am grateful.

This part of John’s Gospel is so filled with love, peace, faith and trust, especially as I ask Jesus / God to be with me daily. Many years ago Sr. Ann Cecilia taught me a simple prayer: 

“Jesus, I believe; help my unbelief.”

This would have been good for the disciples, too!


Sister Joan Marie McCann, GNSH has a passion for healthcare. Even before she joined the GNSH 60 years ago, she worked as an X-Ray technician. Now a BSN, she served as rehab unit manager at St. Mary’s hospital in Langhorne and worked in hospice care at Keystone Home Care in Bucks County. A kidney transplant recipient herself, Joan volunteers at the Gift of Life Family House, supporting patients undergoing transplants and their families.


Feature photo courtesy of Bruce Hong/Unsplash


10 thoughts on “Reflection for the 5th Sunday of Easter-2020

  1. Sister Jean Liston says:

    Thanks for reminding me that our Mothers always had wise answers to our many questions. It takes a lifetime to grasp this, Just as it takes a lifetime to grow in trust of God.
    Thanks for sharing your insight.

  2. Sr Joan McElwain says:

    Thank you for sharing.

  3. Sr. Donna M. Lord, GNSH says:

    Your reflection helped evoke memories of my own mother and her wisdom. When one of us criticized someone my mother would say: “Pull your own nose.” It’s a funny expression, but it became part of my spirituality and I still think of it today.

  4. Michael McClure says:

    Thank you for your kind and understanding words. You and your Mom have given me a great deal to think about and to try to understand. Please pray for me.

  5. mary salvadore says:

    Joan,
    I can really relate to your words of wisdom (and your Mom’s words too). Thanks for your sharing of your ever-deepening faith!
    Mary Sal

  6. Eileen White says:

    Thanks Joan for helping us relate to Thomas and Philip. Two thousand years later we’re still sometimes wanting Jesus to just
    show us….

  7. Mary Elizabeth Looby says:

    Well done! I am sure many of us can identify with you and your Mom’s interaction! Thank you!

  8. Sister Joan Elias says:

    Thank you for sharing with words of wisdom. Your reminiscence of your mom resonated with similar wisdom I found in my mom. Blessings on all moms, whether living or dead.

  9. Rita L. Margraff says:

    Yes, your mother was a wise woman. And I see in your writing great wisdom in you as well. Thank you for sharing that with us.

    1. Mary Bernice Enslow says:

      Thank you for mentioning “godmother”. Sometimes I think that we get overlooked.

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