Sunday May 3, 2026
Mass Readings for the 5th Sunday of Easter Year A
- First Reading – Acts 6:1-7: To address Greek-speaking widows’ needs, the apostles delegated food distribution to seven Spirit-filled men. This allowed apostles more time for prayer and teaching, leading to the spread of faith and conversions, even among Jewish priests.
- Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 33: Righteous ones, rejoice and praise the Lord with music. His word is true, His works dependable, loving justice and fairness. He watches over and sustains those who trust in Him.
- Second Reading – 1 Peter 2:4-9: We are urged to draw near to Christ, the living cornerstone, and become living stones ourselves, forming a spiritual house and priesthood. While precious to believers, Christ is a stumbling block to unbelievers. We are chosen to proclaim God’s excellence, brought from darkness to light.
- Gospel – John 14:1-12: Jesus comforted his disciples, urging trust in him as in God. He spoke of preparing a place for them in heaven, promising to return for them. Thomas’ query about the way was met with Jesus’ declaration of being the way, truth, and life, the sole path to the Father. Philip’s request to see the Father led Jesus to emphasize his unity with the Father, urging belief in this divine relationship and promising greater works for believers.
Themes for the 5th Sunday of Easter Year A
The readings for the 5th Sunday of Easter Year A tell us that we are called to follow Jesus and serve him, even though we don’t know where that might lead us. The first reading tells how and why the first deacons were chosen. The psalm reminds us that God “loves justice and right”. In the second reading Peter calls the people to be “a holy priesthood”. And in the gospel Jesus tells us to have faith in him.
- Service: In Acts 6:1-7, the theme of service is prominent as the apostles seek to meet the needs of the community by appointing seven men to serve as deacons. In the gospel for the 5th Sunday of Easter Year A, Jesus emphasizes the importance of serving others and encourages his disciples to continue his work.
- Unity: The readings highlight the importance of unity within the community of believers. The appointment of the seven deacons helps to maintain unity and prevent division within the early church. Jesus speaks of his unity with the Father and encourages his disciples to remain united in him.
- Leadership: The first reading for the 5th Sunday of Easter Year A provides an example of leadership in action as the apostles make a decision to address the needs of the community.
- Faith: Faith is a common theme in the readings for the 5th Sunday of Easter Year A, as the early believers trust in God to provide for their needs, and Jesus encourages his disciples to have faith in him as they continue his work.
- Vocations: The seven men chosen to serve as deacons were specifically selected for their ability to serve the needs of the community. The first reading highlights the importance of recognizing and affirming one’s vocational calling, as well as the value of vocations within the Church.
See the Homilies and Reflections section and the More Thoughts section for further expansion on these readings and some reflection questions for the 5th Sunday of Easter Year A.
Resources for the 5th Sunday of Easter Year A
Sunday May 3, 2026
Trust in Jesus: The Way, The Truth, The Life Lesson Plan
Litany of the Way, the Truth, and the Life
Trust in Jesus: The Way, The Truth, The Life Lesson Plan
This The Way, The Truth, and The Life lesson plan emphasizes the importance of trusting in Jesus as the source of guidance, truth, and fulfillment in life. By studying the gospel for the 5th Sunday of Easter Year A, Catholic youth will understand that Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life, and they will learn how to deepen their trust in Him.
Litany of the Way, the Truth, and the Life
The Litany of the Way, the Truth, and the Life reminds us that Jesus embodies the three-fold title of being the Way, the Truth, and the Life. This means that He is the path we must follow to attain eternal life, the embodiment of all truth, and the source of our existence. In essence, this title encompasses all we need to know and believe about Jesus Christ.
The Way and the Truth and the Life Coloring Page and Lesson
John 14:6 is a reminder to Christians that Jesus is the Way and the Truth and the Life. This verse is especially important for children to learn, as it lays the foundation for their faith in Christ. With this in mind, we have created a coloring page that depicts this message in a way that is engaging and easy to understand.
Corporal Works of Mercy
In the first reading for the 5th Sunday of Easter Year A, arrangements are made to feed the widows. This is one of the Corporal Works of Mercy, acts of charity which show our love for those on the margins. There are many ways to implement these in your family, youth ministry, or youth group. Here are some ideas.
Homilies and Reflections for the 5th Sunday of Easter Year A
Sunday May 3, 2026
The Way, The Truth, and The Life (Jeff Cavins)
Temple Talk (Bishop Robert Barron)
The Paradox at the Heart of Christianity (Bishop Robert Barron)
The Way, The Truth, and The Life
Jeff Cavins explains that Thomas and Phillip both make big requests of Jesus in today’s gospel for the 5th Sunday of Easter Year A.
Temple Talk
A homily for the 5th Sunday of Easter Year A from Bishop Robert Barron. “This week’s readings all have to do with the holy temple in Jerusalem. The temple was the meeting place of divinity and humanity and was the focal point of Jewish life in Israel. We should all be living temples in our own way and bring God to the rest of the world.”
The Paradox at the Heart of Christianity
Another homily for the 5th Sunday of Easter Year A from Bishop Robert Barron. “Our Gospel for this weekend is taken from the 14th chapter of the Gospel of John, which describes the farewell discourse of Jesus the night of the Last Supper. I believe that the distinctive texture of Christian faith is on particularly powerful display here. I might urge all of you to spend time with this farewell discourse during the Easter season.”
Building His House
From Scott Hahn. “By His death, Resurrection and Ascension, Jesus has gone ahead to prepare a place for us in His Father’s house. His Father’s house is no longer a temple made by human hands. It is the spiritual house of the Church, built on the living stone of Christ’s body.” Continue reading.
An Icon of the Church
This homily for the 5th Sunday of Easter Year A is also from Bishop Barron. “Our passage for today is taken from the beginning of the sixth chapter of Acts, and it concerns the Church—its growth, its unity, and its structure—in a way that is compelling for our time.”
More Thoughts for the 5th Sunday of Easter Year A
Unity, Service, and Leadership
In the first reading for the 5th Sunday of Easter Year A, we see the early Christian community facing a challenge that threatened to divide them. The Greek-speaking widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. The apostles recognized the problem and called for a solution that would allow them to focus on their primary responsibility of prayer and preaching, while ensuring that the needs of all members of the community were met.
As Catholics, we can draw several reflections from this passage. First, we see the importance of community and unity. The early Christian community was not without its challenges and disagreements, but they recognized the need to come together and address their problems as a group. They sought a solution that would benefit everyone and allow them to continue their work of spreading the Gospel.
Second, we see the importance of serving others. The apostles recognized the need to prioritize prayer and preaching, but they also recognized the importance of serving those in need. They didn’t ignore the issue of the Greek-speaking widows but instead sought a solution that would ensure their needs were met. We are called to serve others, particularly the marginalized and vulnerable in our society.
Finally, we see the importance of leadership and delegation. The apostles recognized that they couldn’t do everything themselves and needed to delegate responsibilities to others. They chose seven men from among the community to oversee the distribution of food, ensuring that everyone was taken care of. We are called to be leaders in our own communities, recognizing our strengths and weaknesses and delegating responsibilities to others when appropriate.
Trusting in the Words of Jesus
The gospel for the 5th Sunday of Easter Year A offers comfort, guidance, and encouragement to us. This passage is part of Jesus’ farewell discourse to his disciples before his crucifixion, and it contains some of the most beautiful and profound words that Jesus ever spoke.
“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me.” No matter what challenges we may face in life, we can always find peace and comfort in our faith. We are called to trust in God and in Jesus, and to hold fast to that trust no matter what happens.
In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places.” Our ultimate home is with God in heaven. We are called to strive for this heavenly home, to live our lives in a way that will allow us to be with God forever.
“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” Jesus is the path that we must follow if we want to be close to God. He is the truth that we must seek, and the life that we must live if we want to experience the fullness of God’s love.
“Whoever believes in me will do the works that I do, and will do greater ones than these.” We are called to continue Jesus’ work in the world. We are called to love others, to serve others, and to bring God’s light into the darkness of the world.
Living the Way of Jesus
Jesus describes himself as “the way, the truth, and the life.” Through these words, he not only identifies himself as the one who can connect us to the Father, but also as a window into the community of the Trinity. His life and teachings demonstrate how we can live in harmony with God and one another. Jesus’ focus was always on doing the will of the Father and benefiting all of humanity.
The early Christian community took this message to heart, as demonstrated in Acts 6:1-7. They recognized the importance of caring for widows, and when it became clear that they were falling short in this responsibility, they appointed deacons to ensure that everyone was taken care of. This shows how the early Christians put Jesus’ teachings into practice by caring for those in need and working together as a community.
By following Jesus’ example, we too can live in harmony with God and one another, and strive to make the world a better place for all. This involves caring for those in need, working together as a community, and seeking to do the will of God in all that we do.
Reflection Questions for the 5th Sunday of Easter Year A
Sunday May 3, 2026
- How does the response of the apostles to the needs of the Greek-speaking widows remind us of our responsibility to serve others, particularly the marginalized and vulnerable in our society?
- In what ways can we apply the principles of delegation and leadership seen in the passage to our own lives as Catholics?
- What challenges do we face today in our communities that require us to come together and address as a group?
- How can we maintain our trust in Jesus during difficult times?
- What can we do to keep our focus on our ultimate home with God in heaven?
- How can we better follow the path that Jesus has laid out for us in our daily lives? What are some practical ways we can continue Jesus’ work in the world?
- In what ways does Jesus serve as a window into the community of the Trinity? How does this impact our understanding of God and our relationship with Him?
- How can we follow Jesus’ example of focusing on doing the will of the Father for the good of all humanity in our daily lives? What are some practical steps we can take to do so?
- Why do you think caring for widows was such an important responsibility for the early Christian community? What can we learn from their example about the importance of caring for those in need today?
Quotes and Social Media Graphics for the 5th Sunday of Easter Year A
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.”
From the gospel for the 5th Sunday of Easter Year A
Let us not be overwhelmed by the present: let us look up to Heaven, let us remember the goal, to think that we are called to eternity, to the encounter with God. Let us renew today the choice to love Jesus, and to follow him.
Pope Francis on the gospel for the 5th Sunday of Easter Year A
Music Suggestions for the 5th Sunday of Easter Year A
Sunday May 3, 2026
- All Creatures of Our God and King by William Henry Draper
- Build My Life by Pat Barrett
- Find Us Ready by Tom Booth
- For the Beauty of the Earth by Folliott Pierpoint
- How Can I Keep From Singing by Robert Lowry
- Holy Is the Lord by Chris Tomlin
- Hosanna/Praise Is Rising by Benton Brown
- I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say by Horatius Bonar
- I Received the Living God by Don Clement Jacob
- I Sing the Mighty Power of God by Isaac Watts
- King of My Heart by Sarah McMillan
- Lead Me Lord by John Becker
- Lord I Need You by Matt Maher
- Servant Song by Sr. Donna Marie McGill
- The Way by Pat Barrett
- Your Love Awakens Me by Phil Wickham
Frequently Asked Questions for the 5th Sunday of Easter Year A
What date is the 5th Sunday of Easter Year A?
The next date is Sunday May 3, 2026.
For other years see the links below:
5th Sunday of Easter Year B
5th Sunday of Easter Year C
What are the Mass readings for the 5th Sunday of Easter Year A?
The Mass readings for Sunday May 3, 2026 are:
First Reading – Acts 6:1-7: Appointment of the Seven
Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 33: Sing Joyfully to the Lord
Second Reading – 1 Peter 2:4-9: Living Stones
Gospel – John 14:1-12: The Way, the Truth, and the Life
What are the themes for the Mass readings for the 5th Sunday of Easter Year A?
Service
Unity
Leadership
Faith
Vocations
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