Children reveal a lot about themselves and where they come from when we observe how they behave, dress, eat and speak. Social workers, teachers and other professionals are--we hope--adept at finding clues about a troubled home life when a child is, on the one hand, clamoring for attention or, on the other, fearful and aloof. And when children stand out for their spontaneity and brilliance, we may wonder what their parents are like, and entertain the desire to meet them in person.
Something similar happens to us when we take our faith seriously and get to know Jesus. It is likely that we feel impressed and warmed when we hear the words of Jesus, and find that these words bring light and comfort to our lives. No doubt we are moved by his preference for lepers and sinners, and by his sharp condemnation of hypocrisy.
Jesus of Nazareth lays out a way of life that seems a tall order at times--love your enemies, forgive many times, visit me in prison--but also helps us live it, walking with us and nourishing us.
As he says goodbye to his friends in last Sunday's Gospel reading, Thomas wants to know the way to his ultimate destination, to his Father. Philip, more impatient, want to see the Father now, without having to travel over a long ways.
Both Thomas and Philip speak for us all. The human heart always searches for what it lacks, for the ultimate source of peace, joy and life. But Jesus is clear.
You already know the way. You have already seen the Father.
As we get to know Jesus by putting his example and teachings into practice, and walk in his way, his path, we draw ever closer to God, who helps us walk, who renews us and forgives us and freely gives us New Life. We see the God who sent Jesus to us, who spoke in his words, who loved us in his death, who raises us up in his Resurrection. There is no other way, and we lack no vision--putting love of neighbor into practice, we discover our true selves upon defending the weak, visiting the sick, building a just society, reconciling ourselves with those who hate us.
We may long for other, more comfortable and easy ways and paths--for a spectacle of special effects that we can just look at passively, without commitments or growth, or for a way to live emptied of repentance and renewal, but these other paths lead nowhere.
Here is the Way.
Here is our loving, parental God.
"Let's keep moving, folks. There's nothing else to see here.
"Please move along."
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