In today's gospel reading two
important questions get thrown out by the intrepid disciples, Thomas and
Phillip. First, Thomas asks, "How can we know the way?" Then
Phillip chimes in with a question phrased as a demand, "Show us . . . and
we shall be satisfied." As human
beings, we realize that knowing something gives us confidence. We can be certain that we won't look foolish
if what we believe is true.
Why
couldn't these disciples get it?
Spending lots of time with Jesus still hasn't convinced them that Jesus
is the one they were hoping for--the Messiah who would liberate them from
oppression and restore Israel. The
gospel reading today from the section of John’s gospel called Jesus' farewell
address. It takes place after he had washed the disciples’ feet. In it he urges the disciples to love one
another. He tries to explain how he will
have to leave them. But after he has
gone, he will send the Holy Spirit to be their companion and sustain them in
the trials they will face. He defines
himself using the phrase from the Hebrew scripture that indicates the divine:
"I am . . . " - "I am the
way, the truth and the life," in today's gospel. "I am the true vine," in the
following chapter.
Finally
at the end of his address tells his disciples that he will tell them
plainly--without using "figures of speech"--about God. Here's what he says at the end of the 16th
chapter of John: "The Father himself loves you, because you have loved me
and believed that I came from God. I
left the Father and came into the world.
I tell you again: I am leaving the world and returning to the Father." Then Jesus' disciples claim they finally
understand because of his plain speaking.
Jesus skeptically replies that they may believe now, but soon they will
abandon him.
As
I think about this story, I believe this interaction between Jesus and his
disciples reflects our own struggles to understand who Jesus is and to live as
he taught. When we arrive for worship
each Sunday, are we hoping for a revelation from God that prove the truth of
our beliefs, proof that explains everything about God and the way to a
relationship with God?
In
the 50 years that St. Nicholas' folks have met for worship, we have hoped for
answers; we have struggled with our questions.
At times much seems clear--at other times it all appears quite cloudy.
We have found, as the disciples eventually did, that God manifests God's self
best when together we ask the questions and together we wait for
God's answers.
Private
prayer should be an important part of our Christian practice. But we will surely encounter Christ as we
belong to and worship in a Christian community like St. Nicholas and when we
work with each other in service to others.
As the disciples' encounters with Jesus and with each other were not
always easy or smooth sailing, our encounters with one another in this St.
Nicholas' community can be fraught at times.
But by placing the Christ we have encountered at the center of our life
together--as we have done for 50 years--we will be enabled to understand God's
love for us more clearly and follow Christ's command to love each other more
nearly every day we are given.
[I asked any members of the congregation who would like to speak to respond to my remarks by saying in a few sentences how being part of the St. Nicholas' community helped them in their faith journey. A number of people spoke very movingly.]
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