Acts 2:1-21 Alternate - Genesis 11:1-9
Psalm 104:24-34, 35b
Romans 8:14-17
John 14:8-17, (25-27)
Jesus had just finished talking about the unity between the Father and himself, making comparisons so that the disciples and those around Jesus would have a better idea about what the love of God really meant. As though he totally missed the connections, Philip requested that Jesus "show us the Father, and we will be satisfied."
Probably somewhat exasperated, Jesus responded, "Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and you still do not know me? How can you say, 'Show us the Father'?"
What Philip wants is what many of us would like to have – the actual physical presence of some giant superhero that is unmistakably the Creator of the universe. Maybe we want to believe that there is absolutely no question about God's existence, that He is a specific thing in a specific place, and has everything in control.
We want God to be like that because that's how we see everything else in this world – specific objects with specific boundaries that behave in understandable ways with color, shape and mass. We need to be able to put things, people and objects in labeled boxes in our mind so that they fit into our ability to comprehend. Because if they don't fit in there someplace, then they may not be real.
"Show us the Father, and we will be satisfied," asks Philip.
How can you see something that is an all-powerful, loving force that permeates every atom, every galaxy, every thought, every breeze, every hope and kind word? How can this Father who roams the cosmos and yet rests in every single heart reveal Himself to us?
To reach us, He must communicate to us through things we can comprehend. How about taking the form of a human being and visiting us, to teach us and heal us? Good idea; so He sent His Son, Jesus, to do just that. Jesus told Philip and the disciples, "Whoever has seen me has seen the Father...Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me?"
But it's not just seeing Jesus as the Father, but also listening to his teachings and wisdom. "The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own; but the Father who dwells in me does this. Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me." Or, how about the works that Jesus did? "But if you do not believe the words, then believe me because of the works themselves."
But this is not all. Jesus will have the Advocate sent to us, the Holy Spirit, to be with us forever. The advocate is also known as the Spirit of Truth, who will abide in us to guide us, and to teach us. The Holy Spirit stimulates our conscience. The Holy Spirit will remind us of all that Jesus has told us, so "do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid."
The psalmist in today's reading offers us another very important way to know the Presence, power and love of God. "O Lord, how manifold are Your works! In wisdom You have made them all; the earth is full of Your creatures. Yonder is the sea, great and wide, creeping things innumerable are there, living things both small and great."
A sincere walk through nature will reveal the Presence and love of God. As scientists explore the mysteries and complexity of our material world, they are discovering that at some point the lines between mass and energy disappear. Things in the atomic world behave differently. More questions than answers emerge from these explorations, and they continue to point toward a creative designer.
It is hard to see the Father through the eyes of mankind's world. To do so would require a change in the way we live, and we can get rather comfortable with our routine. It also threatens what has already been accomplished. Power structures would topple (like the Tower of Babel), and we would have to live together like the family of God we are supposed to be. Mankind's way is not sustainable, and eventually, like Philip, we'll have to open our eyes to see reality.
What to see the Father? Look at all the good that is happening around you. It's Him, working through His children.
Reflection Questions
1. How and where do you see God?
2. What's the hardest thing for you to believe about God?
3. How can you listen better to the Holy Spirit within you?
4. Read through the scripture lessons for this Sunday again, and spend some time journaling your thoughts.
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