04 June 2025 – Pentecost Triduum Day 1 (Wednesday, 7th Week of Easter)

by Rev Fr Martin Arlando

Once a man fell off a cliff but he managed to grab a tree limb on the way down. And so the following conversation followed. Of course, when you are falling down you turn to God or someone up there.

So he says, “Is anyone up there?“

And then the voice came, “I am here. I am the Lord.“
And he said, “Do you believe me?“

And the man said, “Yes, Lord, I believe. I really believe but I can’t hang on to this tree limb much longer.“

“That is all right,” the Lord said. “If you really believe, you have nothing to worry about. I will save you for sure. Just let go of the branch.“

The Lord was not convincing enough. After a long moment of pause, then  the man said, “Is anyone else up there?“

So he lost his faith and trust in God.

 

My dear friends, today we reflect on the profound themes of Faith and Trust. These are the cornerstones of our Christian journey. Our scripture passages in today’s Readings from the Acts and the Gospel of John, it invites us to deepen our reliance on God’s unfailing care and to embrace our mission with unwavering trust.

So let me illustrate further.

There was once a young sailor named Samuel who was entrusted with a small boat to cross a vast lake.

Then one stormy night, the winds picked up and the waves grew fierce.

Samuel was frightened but he remembered the advise of his grandfather – Trust in the boat. Trust in your skills. But most of all, trust in the One who holds the seas.

So he took a deep breath. He steadied his hands and he looked to the heavens.

Despite the storm, he trusted the boat to carry him safely across. And by trusting in the vessel and his faith in God’s care, Samuel reached the other side unharmed.

 

My dear friends, this story reminds us that in life’s storms our faith and trust are our anchors. We may not control the waves but we can trust that God’s hand guides us through.

And so we see in our First Reading. Saint Paul exalts the eldest of the church to be vigilant and faithful, reminding them that they are entrusted with the church of God which Jesus purchased with His own blood. So Saint Paul emphasised the importance of caring for the flock even amidst hardships.

So trust in God’s divine plan and faithfulness sustains us as we shepherd His people.

And we hear in the Gospel too, Jesus prays for His disciples, asking the Father to protect them and to sanctify them in truth. So Jesus entrusts His followers to God’s care knowing that their mission is vital. And His prayer is a profound act of trust, to trust in the Father’s protection and in His own mission to bring salvation.

So then, what is our call? Our call to faith and trust?

So just as Samuel trusted the boat and Saint Paul trusted God’s plan, we are called to place our faith and trust in God’s loving care.

My dear friends, our faith is not just a feeling but a conscious act of surrender and trusting that God’s grace is sufficient, especially in challenging times. 

And our Lord Jesus in His prayer models this trust. He entrusts His mission and His followers to the Father, confident in God’s sovereignty. And we too are called to trust in God’s protection and to remain faithful in our journey.

Let me end with a story.

There was a young boy by the name of John who loved to walk along a narrow rocky path, high above a deep canyon.

One day, he decided to cross a rickety bridge that spanned the canyon. And as he stepped onto the bridge, he looked down and hesitated. And at that moment, fear gripped his heart.

But his father, standing at the other end, called out, “I will hold you. Just trust me.“

And the boy looked at his father’s reassuring face and took a deep breath and he stepped forward. And with each cautious step, he felt the bridge sway beneath him.

But he kept his eyes fixed on his father’s steady gaze. And when he finally reached the other side, he realised that his trust in his father had carried him safely across the danger.

 

And so my dear friends, faith is not just a feeling but a deliberate act of trust. We may not see the entire path ahead. Just like the boy we face uncertainties and fears but if we fix our eyes on Jesus and trust in His love and promises, Jesus will lead us safely through.

And so my dear friends, no matter what storms we face, whether personal struggles, whether family challenges, parish matters or broader societal issues, let us remember that faith and trust are our guiding lights.

Like Samuel and John in the stories I shared, like Saint Paul and like Jesus, we are invited to place our confidence in God’s unfailing love.

So let us pray for that grace to trust more deeply, to have faith that sustains us and to carry out our mission with courage and hope. And as we do so, we become witnesses to the world of God’s goodness and faithfulness.

My dear friends, let us remember that faith and trust are acts of love, believing in God’s goodness even when life seems uncertain. Faith requires surrendering our doubts and trusting that God’s plan is good even when the road is difficult.

So like the Samuel that is sailing in the sea and John the little boy crossing the bridge, let us fix our eyes on Jesus and step forward with confidence, knowing He holds us in His loving hands.

And may our faith grow stronger each day and may we trust in God’s unwavering love and guidance.

May our faith inspire others to do the same.

And so as we celebrate the Eucharist, let us do likewise to really place everything or to recall the moments or any obstacles that are in our path that is blocking us from moving or growing into a deeper faith with God.

Let us bring forward, place them at this altar and really surrender completely to God because through this then with that emptiness of our heart and life, God fills us with His grace and blessing and renews us and draws us closer to Him, closer to His heart, that He keeps us and guides us through.

We pray for this grace during this Mass.

Click below to listen to homily and watch video

Click to live-stream Mass on 04 June 2025