The way to the Father

Gospel Reading: Jn 14:6-14

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:
Master, show us The Father. Jesus declares that he is the way and the truth and the life. He then speaks about his unique relationship with the Father: he is the way to the Father; to see him is to know the Father.

Philip does not seem to understand Jesus, even as he asks Jesus to show them the Father. Perhaps the apostle has a different image of the Father. Philip is thinking of some grand revelation by God. But God chooses to reveal the Father in a very human way ­ in the person of Jesus.

The union between Jesus and the Father is shown by the words and works of Jesus. To see and hear Jesus is to know and listen to God. Jesus is telling Philip that they will come to know what and who God is through him. And what Jesus reveals is a living and loving Father.

The best way to a deeper knowledge of God is not to argue or debate about God but to look at Jesus and listen to him.

We will then see and know what God has done for us.

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“I am the way and the truth and the life.” Reflect on this self-affirmation of Jesus and on its consequences for your life.

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