Word to the Wise
Saturday, May 17, 2014 - 4th Week of Easter - Sat
[Acts 13:44-52 and John 14:7-14]"If you know me, then you will also know my Father. From now on you do know him and have seen him." Philip said to Jesus, "Master, show us 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. How can you say, 'Show us the Father'? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on my own. The Father who dwells in me is doing his works. Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else, believe because of the works themselves."
SATURDAY, MAY 17, 2014 SATURDAY IN THE FOURTH WEEK IN EASTER
[Acts 13:44-52 and John 14:7-14]
"If you know me, then you will also know my Father. From now on you do know him and have seen him." Philip said to Jesus, "Master, show us 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. How can you say, 'Show us the Father'? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on my own. The Father who dwells in me is doing his works. Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else, believe because of the works themselves."
Jesus' relationship with his Father is at the center of today's passage from the Farewell Discourse. Again we have the pattern of statement, misunderstanding, teaching! We can recall Jesus' use of the sacred words, "I AM." from the "Burning Bush" in Exodus 3 to remind ourselves that his relationship with the Father is something far greater than that of Moses! Philip's misunderstanding shows that the disciples are still confused about Jesus' identity. Jesus proclaims that the reason he has been able to do "the works" that he does is because he and the Father are one. What is more, because of the disciples' belief in him, they will be able to do the same "works," e.g. to preach Jesus as God's revelation and call the world to faith.
By virtue of our Baptism we have been called to the very ministry for which Jesus is preparing the disciples in the Farewell Discourse. If we think this is far beyond our mortal capacities, we will see soon in the discourse that Jesus promises the Spirit to help and teach and guide the disciples and us as their successors in faith! All of this will unfold gradually as we make our way from one "picture" to the next in this discourse. Like Philip, we may find it difficult to understand, but the Spirit will guide us. AMEN