father's day
"How can you say, 'Show us the Father?' " —John 14:9
Jesus became a human being to reveal to us that God is not just the Supreme Being and the Creator, but also wants to be our personal, loving Father. Most people in the world don't believe this. Why would the awesome Creator of galaxies which stretch for billions of light-years decide to adopt us? As farfetched as this may sound, it is absolutely true. Almighty God wants to be our Father (see Hos 11:4).
Jesus, as "the exact Representation of the Father's being" (Heb 1:3), came to show us the Father. When we see Jesus, we see the Father (Jn 14:9). By believing in Jesus and being baptized into Him, we become new creations and are thereby capable of being God the Father's adopted children. Jesus is the only Way by which this can happen (see Jn 14:6).
Jesus is preoccupied with showing us the Father's love. Therefore, when Philip showed he didn't know the Father's love, he greatly disappointed Jesus (see Jn 14:9). Likewise, when we show our insecurity about our Father's love, when we live in fear or anxiety, we grieve Jesus. After all this time, after all this love, Jesus laments that we still don't know Him and the Father (Jn 14:9). Be secure in Your Father's love. Please Jesus.
Prayer: Father, may I be so secure in Your love that I will not be manipulated or pressured into sin or compromise with the world.
Promise: "Next He was seen by James; then by all the apostles. Last of all He was seen by me." —1 Cor 15:7-8
Praise: St. Philip "saw the Father" and willingly lived and died for love of Him. He even led a future apostle to Jesus (Jn 1:45ff).
Reference: (For a related teaching, order our tape Do You Believe in God the Father? on audio AV 84-1 or video V-84.)
Rescript: †Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, October 9, 2009
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