Jesus said to Thomas, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 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 him, "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. 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. And whatever you ask in my name, I will do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything of me in my name, I will do it."
REFLECTION
"Have I been with you for so long a time and you still do not know me, Philip?
Some of the apostles did not understand that Jesus was in the Father and the Father in Him.
Are we like St Philip, believing and rejoicing in the Lord but still not able to understand the mystery of the Trinity?
We have received different gifts, intellects, passions and emotions from the Father.
Our travels with God are very personal. I cannot duplicate another’s experience, but I know that my path to salvation is between God and myself. Each circumstance in my life is unique and God remains forever faithful, never changing.
It is I who change…fretting with anxiety, worrying about chores, and forgetting I am not in charge.
Just recently, I promised a dear friend that I would say a rosary at adoration for her situation. No sooner did I hang up that I was facing a pressing matter. First thought was to skip adoration and my prayers and take care of the matter.
But the Holy Spirit reminded me of whom I was going to visit, Jesus present in the Tabernacle, and the promise made. Had I not seen His mighty works in action time and time again? With rosary in one hand and anxiety in the other, I entered the chapel, giving my anxiety, concerns, worries and prayers to Him.
Peace followed me out of the Chapel, my friend’s problem resolved and my pressing matter no longer was a problem.
Never forget all the favors God has done for us. And always give thanks.
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