What could be more a profound statement? You can just imagine how Jesus’ hearers might have responded to this truth. In the verse following today’s reading, we hear some of his audience wanted to stone him for claiming equality with God. Others were probably so astounded that they began to reevaluate everything Jesus said and did in light of such a claim.
Jesus’s words here are certainly part of the basis of our belief in the Trinity. As St. Augustine teaches: “He did not say, 'I am the Father' or 'I and the Father are one [Person].' But when he says 'I and the Father are one,' notice the two words 'we are' and 'one'.. if 'we are', then there is both a Father and a Son.
Jesus is one in substance with the Father, yet the Father and the Son are distinct Persons.
So Jesus words teach us WHAT God is, and he also teaches us HOW God is, what God is like.
Jesus speaks about his deeds, how they point to the Father. Later in John’s Gospel, Jesus teaches, “He who has seen me has seen the Father”. In everything he said or did, Jesus revealed something about the Father. And with each revelation, the loving, just, and compassionate character of the Father became clearer and clearer.
Whenever he healed, Jesus revealed his Father’s compassion. He revealed his Father’s mercy when he forgave the woman caught in adultery and offered living water to the woman from Samaria. He demonstrated the power of God when he calmed the storm, and showed his power to be transcendent to that of nature when he walked on turbulent waters and passed through solid walls. He showed God’s righteousness when he overturned the merchants’ tables in the temple. Time and time again, he revealed the wisdom of God as he deftly answers the religious leaders’ attempts to trap him in his own words.
God is full of wisdom, compassion, power, mercy, and love. And through Jesus we are united with God, his power and wisdom and mercy and love begin to permeate the life of the faithful Christian. Through their union with God through Jesus the Saints are powerful signs of God’s presence and care for the world, and that is our vocation as well: to become saints who point to the Father in all we say and do.
May our union with God grow today through acts of faith, prayer, and righteousness for the glory of God and salvation of souls.
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Jesus is Risen from the dead, and leads his flock to eternal blessings. With new trust, we now bring our needs to the Father through him.
That all Christians may be strengthened in the grace that helps them witness to the Mercy of God.
For an increase in vocations to the priesthood and consecrated religious life, and for the 8 men who will be ordained priests in the diocese of Cleveland next Friday.
For our young parishioners who received their First Holy Communion this weekend, that they may always be blessed to raised in faith-filled homes and know the closeness of Jesus their Shepherd.
For mercy upon those who have fallen away from the faith or who have fallen into serious sin.
For the poor and homeless, for those who suffer discrimination and rejection, those with addictions or mental illness, for the imprisoned, and for all who are ill or undergoing surgery this week.
For the deceased members of our family, friends, and parish, for all of the pour souls in purgatory, and for those who have fought and died for our country’s freedom, that those who have died may be led by the Good Shepherd to the waters of eternal life.
Father, you call each of us to serve you with faithfulness and joy. Hear our prayers, and bring us to the joy that never ends. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
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