Today’s readings bring hope and joy to my heart and a big smile to my face!
We hear Christ calming, saying to Thomas:
“I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through me. If you know me, you would know my Father also. From this point on you know him: you have see him.”
I imagine Christ and Thomas having a private little conversation, when up pops Philip full of energy and devotion saying, “Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.” I can just hear the tension and frustration mounting in Christ’s voice - almost saying, “Philip, where have YOU been?” Patiently, Christ answers, “I have been with you all this time, you still do not know me?” Frustration rising, Christ goes on to say, “‘Show us the Father’? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words I speak are not spoken of myself; it is the Father who lives in me accomplishing his works.” Philip, don’t you get it???? Philip, how can you not get it???? You who have been with me all this time. Where have you been??? Any teacher or parent or friend can identify with the scene. An eager student, child or friend wanting to please and to understand, but just does not get it. As a parent, I have seen the same frustration, but with the shoe on the other foot. A child desperately trying to get his message across to me and I just do not get it.
The scene is a very real one. It is a very every day human experience. For whatever reason, whatever the message, there are times when we just do not get it. Likewise with the message of Christ. There are times and days and places when we just do not hear or understand or are able to relate to His message.
For me, the Good News of this gospel passage is that there are enough of us who are getting Christ’s message enough of the time, that His loving message is getting through all of the time to someone, somewhere. This means that our daily lives are continually being touched by the Spirit working in others all of the time.
Shout it from the house tops. Our God has lived our human experience and continues to love us uniquely and eternally!
Joan Blandin Howard
After working and teaching at Creighton for many years, I am officially retired, but hardly so. Having 5 adult children, in-laws, and 11 grandchildren I keep pretty busy! My husband and I spend hours in our garden planting, pruning, dead-heading and of course weeding and mowing! We spend even more time sitting in our garden, delighting in its beauty. The beauty overwhelms me and invities me into a space of en-Joy-ment and gratitude to the Creator and Artist of all. I have much for which to be grateful. I also like to travel, read, write and make art. My ministry of spiritual direction and silent retreats continues.
I count my blessings. You among them.
Initially I thought I was writing for myself. I use the readings as a source of personal prayer. I thoroughly enjoy the time I spend in prayer, study and preparation. The writing seems to be a natural end product. The wonderful e-mails I receive tell me that I am not writing just for me and they reconfirm my faith in the presence of the Lord, who speaks all languages, permeates untold experiences, and surfaces in the most ordinary of daily delights and disturbing distractions. That the Lord would speak through me is a gift I had not anticipated.
I thank you, the reader and fellow pilgrim, for joining us on our journey. God bless us.
