John 14:6-14 NRSVue

⁶Jesus said to him, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. ⁷If you know me, you will know my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.”

⁸Philip said to him, “Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied.” ⁹Jesus 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’? ¹⁰Do 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. ¹¹Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, but if you do not, then believe because of the works themselves. ¹²Very 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. ¹³I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. ¹⁴If in my name you ask me for anything, I will do it.

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Some thoughts on this scripture

Reflection
On this feast of Saints Philip and James, the gospel quotes a curious remark of Philip to Jesus: /Show us the father and we will be satisfied./ It reminds me of what I have often heard on the lips of exasperated mothers to their children: /You're never satisfied./ Am I ever? Augustine said our hearts are restless till they rest in God. There are moments when we seem to tread on holy ground, like Moses, or savour Sacred Space, like Peter on Mount Tabor. When I see Jesus I see a human vision of the Infinite God who is beyond our imagination.

Reflection
I recognise something of Philip in me: although he lived with and listened to Jesus every day, he still looked for something more. I take some time as I pray today to listen to where God has already been speaking to me in my life. Before I ask for anything else, I consider the gifts that God gives to me.

Reflection
I admire the honesty of Philip. He was able to make his needs known to Jesus openly and frankly. I realise that there is nothing in my heart and are in my mind that I cannot express to Jesus - even if I find it difficult to put words on. I take some time to let God read those deep desires of my heart that are beyond my words.

Reflection
Can I see myself in Philip? One more thing and I will be satisfied. Jesus reminds him and me that we have enough already.

Reflection
Jesus and the Father are so united that I am drawn into the knowledge and love of God as I come to know and love Jesus. Jesus desires nothing less for me; he wishes to draw me deeply into the very life of God.