Have you ever felt like you were searching for something, but you weren't quite sure what it was? Maybe you were looking for a sense of purpose, a feeling of belonging, or just a bit of clarity in a world that often feels confusing. Today, as we celebrate the liturgy for Saturday, May 2, 2026, the Church gives us a beautiful roadmap for that search. Through the lens of the daily readings and the life of a great saint, we are invited to stop searching in the dark and start living in the light of the Father’s truth.

At the heart of our faith is a simple but profound desire: we want to know God. We want to see the One who created us and loves us. In the Gospel of John, Philip speaks for all of us when he asks Jesus, "Lord, show us the Father." Today, we explore how Jesus answers that request, not just for Philip, but for every one of us.

The Gospel is for Everyone: A Light to the Nations

In our first reading from the Acts of the Apostles (Acts 13:44-52), we find Paul and Barnabas in Antioch in Pisidia. The scene is incredible: almost the entire city has gathered to hear the word of the Lord. You can imagine the excitement in the air, but also the tension. While many were hungry for the truth, others were filled with jealousy and began to contradict what Paul was saying.

Faced with rejection, Paul and Barnabas didn't pack up and go home. They didn't get discouraged or doubt their mission. Instead, they spoke out even more boldly. They realized that if some were choosing to close their hearts, they would simply open the doors wider for others. They turned their attention to the Gentiles, quoting the prophet Isaiah: "I have made you a light to the Gentiles, that you may be an instrument of salvation to the ends of the earth."

This is a pivotal moment in the history of the Church, and it’s a powerful lesson for us today. The Gospel isn't a private club. It’s not meant for a specific "type" of person or a single culture. God’s love is radically inclusive. When Paul and Barnabas became a "light to the nations," they were showing us that God’s grace is a gift meant for every single person on this planet, regardless of their background or past.

When we live in the light of truth, we stop building walls and start building bridges. We realize that being a follower of Christ means being an instrument of that same light. Just as the Gentiles in Antioch "were delighted and glorified the word of the Lord," we are called to bring that same joy to the people in our own lives who are waiting to hear that they are loved by God.

Knowing Jesus is Knowing the Father

Moving to the Gospel (John 14:7-14), we encounter one of the most significant conversations in the New Testament. Jesus is preparing His disciples for His departure, and He tells them, "If you know me, then you will also know my Father. From now on you do know him and have seen him."

Philip, likely feeling a bit overwhelmed by the weight of Jesus' words, asks for something tangible: "Lord, show us the Father, and that will be enough for us."

It’s such a human request. We often want a sign, a vision, or a direct manifestation of God to prove He is there. But Jesus’ response is the very core of our Catholic faith: "Whoever has seen me has seen the Father."

Think about that for a moment. When we look at Jesus, we aren't just looking at a great teacher or a miracle worker. We are looking directly at the heart of God.

• When Jesus heals the leper, we see the Father’s compassion.
• When Jesus forgives the woman caught in adultery, we see the Father’s mercy.
• When Jesus hangs on the Cross, we see the Father’s ultimate, self-sacrificing love.

We don't have to wonder what God thinks of us or how He reacts to our failures. We just have to look at Jesus. To live in the light of truth is to accept that God is exactly like Jesus. He is not a distant, angry judge; He is a loving Father who has come to meet us in the person of His Son. Knowing Jesus isn't just about facts or history; it’s about a relationship that reveals the very source of our existence.

Standing for the Truth: The Legacy of St. Athanasius

Today, May 2nd, the Church also honors St. Athanasius, a Bishop and Doctor of the Church who lived in the fourth century. He is a hero of the early Church for a very specific reason: he defended the truth of who Jesus is.

During his time, a teaching called Arianism was spreading. It claimed that Jesus was not truly God, but rather a created being, higher than humans, but less than the Father. It might sound like a technical theological debate, but Athanasius knew that if Jesus wasn't truly God, then He couldn't truly save us. If Jesus wasn't God, then seeing Him wouldn't actually be seeing the Father.

Athanasius stood almost alone against the world, a phrase often associated with him is Athanasius contra mundum. He was exiled from his diocese five different times, spending years in hiding or in the desert, all because he refused to compromise on the truth. He believed that the truth about Jesus changes everything about how we live.

Because of his courage, the Church upheld the truth we recite in the Creed every Sunday: that Jesus is "consubstantial with the Father." St. Athanasius reminds us that the truth is worth defending, even when it’s unpopular. He teaches us that when we stand firm in the light of truth, we provide a foundation for others to find their way to God.

A Mission of Light: The Society of St. Peter the Apostle

At the Pontifical Mission Societies, we see the spirit of Paul, Barnabas, and Athanasius alive today, especially through the work of the Society of St. Peter the Apostle (SPA).

The SPA was founded to answer a very practical need: as the Gospel spreads to new "nations," who will lead the local churches? Just as Paul and Barnabas traveled to new territories, the Church today continues to plant seeds of faith in mission lands across Africa, Asia, and the Pacific Islands. But for the faith to truly take root and flourish, it needs local leaders, priests and religious sisters who come from those communities, speak the language, and understand the culture.

The Society of St. Peter the Apostle supports the formation of these local seminarians and novices. We believe that by investing in their education and spiritual growth, we are continuing the work of being a "light to the nations."

When you support the SPA, you are helping a young man in a remote village in Malawi or a young woman in the mountains of Vietnam study the same truths that St. Athanasius defended. These future priests and sisters are being trained to be the face of Jesus for their people. They will be the ones who baptize, who celebrate the Eucharist, and who stand by the sick and the poor. Through their ministry, thousands of people will finally be able to "see the Father."

Your support is more than just a donation; it is an investment in the Truth. You are helping to ensure that the light of the Gospel continues to shine in the darkest corners of the world, long after we are gone.

Reflection: Doing "Greater Works"

In the final part of today’s Gospel, Jesus makes a staggering promise: "Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever believes in me will do the works that I do, and will do greater ones than these, because I am going to the Father."

How can we possibly do "greater works" than Jesus? We aren't walking on water or multiplying loaves. But when we act in His name, His power works through us. When we reach out in love, when we forgive someone who doesn't deserve it, or when we sacrifice our time to help someone in need, we are doing the "work" of revealing the Father's heart.

Take a moment today to reflect:

• How is God calling you to do a "great work" of kindness in your family or workplace today?
• Is there someone in your life who is living in "darkness", perhaps through loneliness, doubt, or grief? How can you be a "light" for them?
• How can you help someone else see the heart of the Father through your actions?

Sometimes, the "greatest work" we can do is simply to live honestly and lovingly in the light of the truth, showing the world that God is real and that He is good.

Conclusion

What a joy it is to know that we belong to a God who doesn't want to stay hidden! He wants to be known, He wants to be loved, and He has shown us exactly who He is through Jesus Christ.

As we continue our journey this Easter season, let’s ask for the courage of St. Athanasius to stand for the truth, and the zeal of Paul and Barnabas to share that truth with everyone we meet.

Thank you for being part of our mission at The Pontifical Mission Societies. By your prayers and your generosity, you are helping us share His light to the ends of the earth. Please keep our mission seminarians and novices in your prayers today, that they may be holy and bold witnesses to the Father’s love.

May the light of Christ guide you today and always!