Gospel: John 14:21-26

Chapter 14 of the Gospel of John is a beautiful example of how the catechesis was done in the communities of Asia Minor, at the end of the first century. Through the questions of the disciples and the responses of Jesus, the Christians formed their conscience and found an orientation for their problems. 

 

In chapter XIV, we find the question of Thomas and the answer of Jesus, the question of Philip and the response of Jesus, and the question of Judas and the answer of Jesus (Jn 12, 22-26). The last phrase of the answer of Jesus to Philip (Jn 14, 21) forms the first verse of today’s Gospel.

 

“I shall love him and reveal myself to him”. This verse presents the summary of the response of Jesus to Philip. Philip had said: “Show us the Father and then we shall be satisfied!”. Moses had asked God: “Show me your glory!”. God answered: “My face you cannot see, for no human being can see me and survive”. The Father cannot be shown. God lives in inaccessible light. “Nobody has ever seen God”. 

 

But the presence of the Father can be experienced through the experience of love. The First Letter of Saint John says: “He who does not love does not know God because God is Love”. Jesus tells Philip: “Whoever loves me will be loved by my Father, and I shall love him and reveal myself to him”. By observing the commandment of Jesus, which is the commandment to love our neighbour, the person shows his love for Jesus. And whoever loves Jesus, will be loved by the Father and can be certain that the Father will manifest himself to him. In this response to Judas, Jesus will say how this manifestation of the Father will take place in our life.