In their wisdom, the early Christians share their experience with us and present what they have learned from Jesus. They had truly imitated what Paul writes about in the first reading “For I handed on to you as of first importance what I also received”
One way they did this was to highlight the many dialogues and monologues that we hear in the gospel of John.
Today is no exception – Jesus is presented in dialogue with Philip, and he makes it quite clear that there is an incontestable bond between he and the Father, “believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me.”
What is more, Jesus is speaking for the Father – he is God’s Word to us “the words that I speak to you I do not speak on my own”. And his actions, reveals not just kindness and compassion, but the very nature of God “the Father who dwells in me is doing his works”.
More so, Jesus promises that the fruits of this intimate relationship with the Father will also be shared with us, and that we can turn to him at any time in our lives to seek assistance and help which will be given. What a gift.
In this Easter Season, let us rejoice that we have been gifted with the knowledge of, and insights into the good news of Jesus Christ. Let us base our lives on his values, attitudes and model our lives on his outreach, his forgiveness and his compassion. This is our pathway to discipleship no less than it was for Philip and James whose Feast we celebrate today.
Osho