Posted by The WORD in other words (2009) by Sister Joy Mary Climaco, SSpS – Arnold Janssen Spirituality Center – Philippines
Saturday 4th Week of Easter
One afternoon as I was preparing the crib for the Christmas celebration in our hall, a little Aeta boy who was about four years of age came to observe what I was doing. All I had was the statue of the Blessed Mother, Baby Jesus and a carabao. He showed interest and so I took that opportunity to tell him that the Blessed Mother’s name is Mary and that she is the mother of Jesus.
Meanwhile, the priest arrived and celebrated Holy Mass. Right after the final hymn the little Aeta boy came running to me and asked eagerly, “Who and where is the father of Jesus? Does Jesus look like His Father?
His question took me by surprise and I was helpless because I did not have on hand a picture nor a statue of St. Joseph. A father figure is very important in the Aeta culture. I tried my best to explain in simple words to the little boy but I felt he was not fully satisfied with all my explanation. I felt challenged to get a statue of St. Joseph and present it to him. It was only then that he was satisfied.
In today’s Gospel, what Philip is asking Jesus sounds similar to that of the little Aeta boy. Both of them were longing to see the Father. Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father and then we shall be satisfied”. Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and you still do not know me”?
Jesus’ response must have come as a surprise to Philip. What could be Jesus’ message? What does He mean by the word, “know”? I believe that what Jesus wanted was to teach Philip about the essence of discipleship, a knowing of Him, that which springs from a personal relationship and intimacy with Him. It is a knowing that is rooted in having been with Jesus: listening to His teachings, gazing at His face in prayer, doing His will, taking up one’s daily cross, and sharing His very life and mission.
Jesus had repeatedly taught His disciples, “The Father is in Me and I am in the Father” (John 10:38b). “The Father and I are one” (John 10:30). “The words that I say to you, I do not speak as from myself. It is the Father living in me, who is doing His works. Whatever you ask in my name, I will do so that the Father may be glorified in the Son”. These words of Jesus reveal His one and only passion, His ABBA, FATHER. His life and mission were centered on revealing the face of the Father in Him through the Spirit. Thus if we experience personal intimacy with Jesus, we also come to know the Father and we share in His Abba-experience.
Jesus’ response to Philip’s concern was loaded and it is not only meant for Philip but also for each of us. Have we truly come to know Jesus? Do we see and feel His presence in the ordinary realities of our life? Have we come closer to the Father as Jesus is close to His Father?
May the Holy Spirit inflame our hearts with intense love that leads us to personal intimacy with the Father through Jesus.
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