‘Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied.’ Sunday Reflections, 5th Sunday of Easter, Year A

Apostle St Philip

El Greco [Web Gallery of Art]

Philip said to him, ‘Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied.' (John 14:8).

Readings (New American Bible: Philippines, USA)

         

Readings (Jerusalem Bible: Australia, England & Wales, India [optional], Ireland, New Zealand, Pakistan, Scotland, South Africa)

Gospel John 14:1-12 (New Revised Standard Version, Anglicised Catholic Edition, Canada)

Jesus said to his disciples:

‘Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe^[a] in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house there are many dwelling-places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also. And you know the way to the place where I am going.’ Thomas said to him, ‘Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?’ Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you know me, you will know my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.’

Philip said to him, ‘Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and you still do not know me? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, “Show us the Father”? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own; but the Father who dwells in me does his works. Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; but if you do not, then believe me because of the works themselves. Very truly, I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do and, in fact, will do greater works than these, because I am going to the Father.

Apostle St Thomas

El Greco [Web Gallery of Art]

Thomas said to him, ‘Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?’ (John 14:5).

Léachtaí i nGaeilge

About 45 or 46 years ago I gave a live-in weekend retreat to students graduating from a high school for girls in the Philippines run by the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary. Most of the girls were aged around 16. As the weekend went on I noticed one girl  - I'll call her ‘Lucy’ - who was small in stature and behaving rather immaturely, though not misbehaving. At times she would be running around like a child in kindergarten. The retreatants had an opportunity, insofar as time allowed, to meet me individually in the home economics building. As is usual on such occasions tears would be shed. When Lucy noticed tear-stains on some of her classmates she laughed at them

But then she came to see me. There was a life-size inflatable doll in the room. She clung on to it and cried her heart out for five or ten minutes before I could get her to calm down. Then she said to me, Father, my parents give me everything I want. But they never ask me 'How did you do in school today?' And they never even scold me.

Lucy could see clearly, because of its absence in her life, what perhaps most of her companions at their age didn't: the daily reality of the love of their parents, sometimes expressed in scolding.

Nobody likes a scolding but most of us, when we reflect on it, see it as a sign of care, of love. I've told the story of Lucy to many groups of young people over the years and have always got nods of recognition.

When Philip asked him, Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied, I wonder if Jesus felt some mild exasperation? This incident reminds me of what the father in the story of the Prodigal Son said to the elder son, Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours (Luke 15:31). The well behaved son had failed to see this, as he failed to see the wonder of this brother of yours was dead and has come to life; he was lost and has been found (Luke 15:32).

After the sudden death of Columban Fr Patrick Sheehy at the age of 80 in St Columban's, Ireland, where I have been living since 2017, in December 1999 his fellow Columbans living there, many of them retired and/or infirm, began to notice that certain little things weren't being done anymore, such as letters and newspapers being delivered to priests unable to get around easily. When Father Pat retired he took it upon himself to do such little things for others, without being asked and without being noticed too much.

It was only in its absence that many saw clearly the quiet, loving thoughtfulness of Father Pat, just as Lucy saw clearly in its absence what she longed for. Father Pat, who had experienced being expelled from China five years after going there, followed by many years of service as a priest in Japan, interrupted for a couple of years because of poor health, was able to choose to show us the Father to his brother priests, without fanfare. Lucy through her immature behaviour was crying out, without being aware of it, Show us the Father.

We are in the middle of the Easter Season when we celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus, celebrating that fact that, in the words of St Peter in the second reading today, we are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people, in order that you may proclaim the mighty acts of him who called you out of darkness into his marvellous light (1 Peter 2:9). God's mighty acts are perhaps most often seen in the 'little acts' of those around us.

The Covid-19 pandemic has led to countless acts of kindness by individuals and by groups. Every loving act has its origin in that community of perfect love that we call the Holy Trinity, even if the giver or receiver is unaware of it. But Christians see Jesus present in others, especially in persons in need. Jesus has told us this specifically: Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family,[g] you did it to me (Matthew 25:40).

The readings invite us to see the Father's presence in the daily realities of our lives, the many blessings that come to us through others and that we often don't see clearly as blessings. And the readings invite us to be aware of the many 'Lucys' around us who in one way or another are crying out, Show us the Father.

St John Paul II in his encyclical Redemptor Hominis, No 10, put it this way: Man cannot live without love. He remains a being that is incomprehensible for himself, his life is senseless, if love is not revealed to him, if he does not encounter love, if he does not experience it and make it his own, if he does not participate intimately in it. This, as has already been said, is why Christ the Redeemer 'fully reveals man to himself'. If we may use the expression, this is the human dimension of the mystery of the Redemption. In this dimension man finds again the greatness, dignity and value that belong to his humanity.

'Lucy' would be in her early 60s now. I've no idea what became of her but my meeting her so many years ago in her moment of need was a blessing not only for her but remains a blessing for me. Perhaps each of us might offer a prayer for her.

The Call

Words by George Herbert, music by Ralph Vaughan Williams

Sung by the King's College Choir, Cambridge

Come, my Way, my Truth, my Life:

Such a Way, as gives us breath:

Such a Truth, as ends all strife:

Such a Life, as killeth death.

Come, my Light, my Feast, my Strength:

Such a Light, as shows a feast:

Such a Feast, as mends in length:

Such a Strength, as makes his guest.

Come, my Joy, my Love, my Heart:

Such a Joy, as none can move:

Such a Love, as none can part:

Such a Heart, as joys in love.

George Herbert (1593-1633) was born in Wales and became a priest in the Church of England, serving in a rural parish in Wiltshire where he was noted for his commitment to the spiritual and physical needs of the people, especially of the poor. His poetry reflects his deep Christian faith. A number of his poems, The Call among them, are included in The Divine Office (Breviary, Liturgy of the Hours) used in Australia, England & Wales, Ireland and Scotland. In this poem Herbert draws on the words of Jesus in today's gospel: I am the way, and the truth, and the life.

Music for the Easter Season

Regina Coeli
Setting by Palestrina, sung by The Sixteen

Regina caeli, laetare, alleluia;

Quia quem meruisti portare, alleluia,

Resurrexit, sicut dixit, alleluia:

Ora pro nobis Deum, alleluia.

Queen of Heaven, rejoice. Alleluia.

For He, whom thou wast worthy to bear. Alleluia.

Has risen as He said. Alleluia.

Pray for us to God. Alleluia.

Bring Flowers of the Rarest

Attributed to Mary E. Walsh, Sung by Frank Patterson

This popular hymn to the Blessed Mother is not an Easter song as such, but is associated with the month of May in which Catholics honour the Virgin Mary in a particular way. And a substantial part of May, sometimes the whole month, falls within the Easter Season. This recording by the late Irish tenor Frank Patterson is from the Faith of Our Fathers condert in Dublin in 1996. 

The Coronation of the Virgin

Blessed Fra Angelico [Web Gallery of Art]

'Rejoice and be glad . . .' Sunday Reflections, All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day

The Coronation of the Virgin, Fra Angelico, 1434-35

Galleria degli Uffizi, Florence, Italy [Web Gallery of Art]

Readings (New American Bible: Philippines, USA) 

Readings (Jerusalem Bible: Australia, England & Wales, India [optional], Ireland, New Zealand, Pakistan, Scotland, South Africa) 

Gospel Matthew 5:1-12a (New Revised Standard Version, CatholicEdition, Canada) 

When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying:

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

“Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.

“Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.

“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.

“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

“Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven.”

Dublin buses [Wikipedia]

When I go home to my native Dublin I use public transport all the time. I often find God's presence in in those around me, passengers and drivers. So does Columban Sr Mary Nolan, now based in Dublin, who worked for many years in Peru and also served a term as Congregational Leader of the Missionary Sisters of St Columban. Here she shares such a moment on the 150 bus - and by chance Wikipedia has a photo of a 150 bus!

Coming from the city on the 150 bus recently I shared a seat with a woman whom I had never met before. Her name is Breda.  She told me she has been a widow for the past 29 years; her Dad suffers from Alzheimer’s and her Mom cares for him down in their home near Carlow.  Breda’s daughter Ashling was 11 years old when her father died.  There was another little girl four years younger who died of hepatitis at 7 months.  Ashling was traumatized but gradually came through it and did well at her studies.  She is a churchgoer, and a turning point for her was when she attended YOUTH 2000.  At that youth celebration Ashling met her future husband, a young man who is spina bifida.  They’re happily married since last year.

By the time I had heard that story my bus had arrived at St Agnes’ Road, where our convent is, and it was time to part from Breda.  I was amazed that such a happy faith-filled woman could have come through so much suffering. 

The Solemnity of All Saints celebrates the countless saints whom the Church has never canonized and never will, people who have gone before us who in their lifetime, like Breda on the 150 bus in Dublin, accepted whatever life brought, sadness and joy, believing in the love of the Lord Jesus Christ for them and in doing so being an inspiration to those around them.

I think that Ashling, Breda's daughter, attended one of the four-day faith festivals organised each summer by YOUTH 2000. The video above is a promo for this year's.

Songs for All Saints' Day

Here is a rousing version of For All the Saints, words by Anglican Bishop William Walsham How and music by Ralph Vaughan Williams. The video is taken from an edition of the BBC's weekly progamme Songs of Praise, which has been running since 1961.

A poem for All Saints' and All Souls' Days

Lochearnhead and Glen Ogle, Scotland [Wikipedia]

I don't know much about the faith of Scottish poet Norman MacCaig (1910 - 1996). Wikipedia tells us that he described it as 'Zen Calvinism' - 'a comment typical of his half-humorous, half-serious approach to life'.

A favourite poem of mine is Country Postman. It expresses for me something of the reality of the Communion of Saints that we celebrate and remember in a special way on these two days. I've no idea if Norman MacCaig was thinking of the Communion of Saints when he wrote it. But it captures something of what holds us all together as a community. With email, Facebook and all the ways of communicating in 'this digital continent', as Pope Benedict calls it, perhaps the role of the postman has changed, though he is still vital in rural communities, not only to deliver the mail but to keep an eye on older persons living on their own, some of whom perhaps are reclusive but who still welcome him.

The poem too catches something of the fragility in all of us, especially in those who serve the broader community quietly and generously for so many years. And could Jesus, who turned water into wine at a wedding for people like those whom this mail deliverer served, turn away this poor man who died after probably celebrating a little too much?

It is persons such as MacCaig's Country Postman whom we remember on All Souls' Day and it is our prayers that help them move from being numbered among All Souls to being numbered among All Saints.

Country Postman

Before he was drowned, 

his drunk body bumping down the shallows 

of the Ogle Burn, he had walked 

fifteen miles every day 

bringing celebrations and disasters 

and what lies between them to

MacLarens and MacGregors 

and Mackenzies.

Now he has no news to bring 

of celebrations or disasters, 

although, after one short journey, 

he has reached 

all the clans in the world.

['Burn' here means 'creek'.]

George Herbert, poet and Anglican priest, commemorated by the Anglican Communion on 27 February

George Herbert

(3 April 1593 - 1 March 1633)

Some of the poems of George Herbert, born in Wales of English parents, are in the edition of the Breviary published by the bishops of Australia, England & Wales, Ireland and Scotland, the one I normally use. He took holy orders in the Anglican Church when already in his mid-30s and served as rector of St Andrew's Church, Bemerton, near Salisbury in the south-west of England. He is buried there. During his three years there he showed a special love for the poor. Wikipedia says, He was noted for unfailing care for his parishioners, bringing the sacraments to them when they were ill, and providing food and clothing for those in need.

St Andrew's Church, Bemerton [Wikipedia]

One of Herbert's poems in my breviary is Love, one I often read. Here it is read by Ralph Fiennes.

Love bade me welcome, yet my soul drew back, 

                              Guilty of dust and sin. 
But quick-eyed Love, observing me grow slack 

                              From my first entrance in, 
Drew nearer to me, sweetly questioning 
                              
If I lacked anything.

 
'A guest', I answered, 'worthy to be here'; 

                              Love said, 'You shall be he.' 
'I, the unkind, the ungrateful? ah my dear, 

                              I cannot look on thee.' 
Love took my hand and smiling did reply, 

                              'Who made the eyes but I'?

'Truth, Lord, but I have marred them; let my shame 

                              Go where it doth deserve.' 
'And know you not', says Love, 'who bore the blame?'

                              'My dear, then I will serve.' 
'You must sit down', says Love, 'and taste my meat.' 

                              So I did sit and eat. 

Salisbury Cathedral

John Constable, c.1825 [Web Gallery of Art]

Twice a day George Herbert conducted services in his parish church and twice a week he went to nearby St Mary's Cathedral, Salisbury, to take part in services there. Constable's painting captures the beauty of the church with its magnificent spire.

Herbert's poem King of Glory, King of Peace is well known as a hymn to the tune Gwalchmai.

Another poem of Herbert in the Breviary is Let all the world in every corner sing, here in a setting by English composer Ralph Vaughan Williams: 

I have an idea that George Herbert, though an Anglican, would find himself a kindred spirit with Benedict XVI because of his sense of beauty and of liturgy and with Pope Francis because he was one of those shepherds living with the smell of the sheep.