FRIDAY MAY 3, 2024
FRIDAY OF THE FIFTH WEEK OF EASTER B
FEAST OF SS. PHILIP AND JAMES
1 Corinthians 15:1-8
John 14:6-14
KNOWING OUR GOD: THE GOAL OF OUR EXISTENCE
The feast of the two great apostles of Jesus, saints James and Philip calls us to reflect on the demand made by Philip in the gospel of today. Philip asks Jesus to show us the Father and we will be satisfied. He says, “Master, show us the Father, and that will be enough for us.” But Jesus gave him a gentle rebuke saying, “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?
It calls us to examine our knowledge of God, our idea of our God and our relationship and growth in God’s knowledge. The question is, how much can we claim that we know our God and how well have we grown in our awareness of his nature and in our relationship with our God.
We have stayed long enough, been baptized long ago, been members of the Church, attended the Church for so long a time, and been part of the worshipping community for many years. Because when we recall that the apostles of Jesus were with him for just three years, staying close to him, eating with him, going in and out with him, and learning from him for these three years, the Lord Jesus had expected them to have known him better. So his disappointment came when Philip wanted him to reveal the Father to them.
So Jesus seems to answer the yearnings of Philip by drawing his attention to himself and telling him that to have seen himself is to have known the Father too. There is no difference between himself and the Father.
Our simple catechism teaches us that one of the cardinal reasons God made us is to know him, and then to love him, serve him and live with him in this life and in the life to come. So our basic knowledge of God must grow in order to attain our eternal salvation.
How much have we known our God through Jesus himself. In the many years of being members of the Church, participating in the activities of the Church, attending the liturgical ceremonies and being instructed in the faith of the church and all the teachings received already, can we say in truth that we have gained a greater, better and progressive knowledge of our God? Can we boast of growth in our awareness of God’s nature and omnipotence and developed greater relationship with our God?
We can test our knowledge of God by our commitment, dedication and followership of his way. He is the truth, the way and the life. To know God is to have stayed with Jesus and known Jesus too. But what is our commitment like. Is it real, deep and imposing? Or is it shallow, unnecessary and only when convenient?
Let us not forget that our closeness to Jesus helps our knowledge of the Father. We must dispose ourselves, give enough commitment and time, and strive consistently to improve our knowledge of our God. For from this knowledge will flow our commitment, and dedication to him and our eternal rewards will be assured.
Learn then to use the varied and many ways, programs of your parish community, the pilgrimages you attend, the daily prayers and sacrifices to seek higher knowledge of our God. God expects it and on it lies our total commitment and dedication.
Heavenly Father, grant us greater knowledge of you. Open our hearts to seek your ways, to follow your counsel , to gain wisdom and knowledge of you. Grant us greater understanding of you as we devote ourselves to you through Christ our Lord.
Fr Norbert Uchuno
