Word to the Wise
Tuesday, May 3, 2011 - 2nd Week of Easter - Tues
[1 Cor 15:1-8 and John 14:6-14]Philip said to him, "Master, show up the Father, and that will be enough for us." Jesus said to him, "Have I been with you for so long a time and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father."
One truth that the gospels do not avoid is the reaction of the apostles to Jesus' teaching and ministry. To the very last day of Jesus' presence at the ascension, they were doubting and struggling with the calling and teaching they had received. Jesus clearly shows frustration at times in making the truth known to them. The quotation above is an example. In other incidents, he says to them, "Oh you of little faith! Why did you doubt?" It is only with the coming of the Spirit, whether as reported by Acts 2:1-12 or John 20:21-23 that we begin to see understanding and courage.
St. Thomas Aquinas reminds us that the "new law of Christ" is nothing other than the Holy Spirit working in our hearts through faith in Christ. [ST. I-II, Q. 106] Faith is not something that we can do entirely by ourselves. We need the help of the Holy Spirit to believe and to share that belief. Our task is to be open to that Holy Spirit. We know it will not always be an easy task. Just ask the apostles. AMEN
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