One of the major themes of St. John's gospel is Jesus' affirmation that He and the Father God are ONE.  That unity is especially appropriate for this section of the gospel where several chapters are devoted to what might be called Jesus farewell address to his disciples.  The address is followed immediately by the events surrounding the crucifixion and Jesus being raised from the dead.

There is a pattern in Jesus' affirmation by Jesus that might be understood this way: The Father God is in me (Jesus) and I am in the Father; I am in you and you are in me.  It follows that you and me today, as disciples, are in the same situation: we are IN Christ and Christ is IN us (just like the relationship between the Father and his Son).  The fact of our being in Christ as a disciple means that we are invited to join into Jesus' serving others.  To summarize: we are baptized INTO Christ and invited into service like Jesus'; that's what "imitation of Christ" can mean for us.  The pattern is set by the relationship between Jesus and his Father.  Our call to service comes from a focus on Christ and our desire to walk with him.

Just prior to today's gospel, Jesus is asked by Thomas, "actually, Master, we do not know where you are going, so how can we know the way?"  Jesus responds, "I am the way, the truth and the life."  His answer was probably as clear as mud to the disciples; they would have to grow in understanding what it meant for them as they brought the Good News of Jesus the Christ to their contemporaries.  So, we need to grow in our understanding of this magnificent truth: our unity with God and His Son as we respond to our calling to be like Christ.

Today's gospel reminds all about Jesus' realizing who he is, "if you know me, then you will also know my Father." As a response to Philip seems to push Paul's earlier question as he demands of Jesus, " Master, show us the Father and that will be enough."  Poor Philip hears Jesus' response, "Have I been with you for so long a time and you still do know me, Philip?"  He did not get who Jesus was and ultimately what that meant for him.

And "poor us!" As we continue to let Christ come ever more deeply into our hearts and lives slowly (like Philip), but we hope surely.  Can we truly believe that The Father is in Jesus and that I am in Christ in the same way – as the source of my own Christ life?  I am one with Christ as he was one with the Father, and, like him I am invited to live for and with others as Jesus taught us. 

St. John's gospel continues to remind us of this extraordinary relationship: starting with God the father, lived out in Jesus' life and shared with his disciples and later us all as we make that relationship come alive in ourselves and others.

Lord my God, be my focus as I grow to understand the depths of your love for me and to respond to the invitation I receive from Christ to serve in your name those with whom you bless my life.  You, the source of all good done in your name, have called and sustained me as you continue to bring the Good News to us all.  Thus, I pray that we all be faithful to your call, the initial gift with which you grace us.