Feast of Saints Philip and James, Apostles
Jn 14:6-14
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, you will know my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.” Philip said to him, “Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied.” Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and you still do not know me? 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 say to you I do not speak on my own; but the Father who dwells in me does his works. Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; but if you do not, then believe me because of the works themselves.
Very truly, I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do and, in fact, will do greater works than these, because I am going to the Father. I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If in my name you ask me for anything, I will do it.
New Revised Standard Version, copyright 1989, by the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. USCCB approved.
Letting Christ Reveal Himself
We have several relatable stories about Philip in the Gospel of John, like when he did not understand how Jesus could feed 5,000 people. In today’s Gospel, his earnestness shines through again. He is excited that Jesus speaks of the apostles seeing the Father. From the Old Testament perspective, this is a privilege afforded only to an elite few, like Moses. He wants to be part of that group.
However, he lacks understanding, and Jesus gently rebukes him for it. Jesus makes the Father visible in his own flesh for everyone, not just a few. I take comfort in the fact that Philip does not fully understand Jesus, even though he had followed him for so long. Sometimes I do not understand fully who Jesus is and need his revelation.
Can we let the risen Christ reveal himself to us, instead of fitting him in our own preconceived categories?
—David Kiblinger, SJ, is a deacon of the USA Central and Southern Province of the Society of Jesus studying theology at the Boston College School of Theology and Ministry. He will be ordained a priest this June.
Prayer
Jesus, send your Spirit upon me to guide me and enlighten me. Let me see you for who you really are. When I come to a deeper understanding of you, my love for you will grow and mature. Amen.
—David Kiblinger, SJ