Saints Philip and James, Apostles (Feast)
Have I been with you for so long a time and you still do not know me? (John 14:9)
Philip didn’t see the whole picture. Even though he had spent several years with Jesus, he still didn’t understand who Jesus was. He didn’t grasp that when he looked at Jesus, he was seeing a perfect image of God the Father.
Of course, we can’t blame Philip for his confusion. So much about God is a mystery to us—and it will remain a mystery until the day when we meet him face-to-face.
Like Philip, you may have been following Jesus for a long time. But however long or short it’s been, what would you say if he were to ask you, “Do you know me?”
On one level, the answer is an obvious yes. You believe in Jesus. He is your Redeemer, the One who has won your forgiveness through the cross. He is your risen Savior, who is with you always, filling you with his Holy Spirit.
But on another level, the answer for each of us is also no. We all can come to know Jesus more deeply. You may have a glimpse of his love today, but that vision can grow brighter tomorrow and the next day. You may have experienced his mercy yesterday, but doubts may linger over whether he can ever forgive that sin you committed years ago. You may believe that his Spirit is with you but underestimate his power to change you and guide you.
So how do you get to know Jesus better? It doesn’t happen all at once. It takes time, over days, months, and years, as you keep drawing closer to him. Each day as you spend time with him in prayer, your relationship with him deepens. Each time you receive Communion or confess your sins, you touch Jesus in real tangible ways. Each time you put aside your agenda to help someone else, you draw closer to him.
Just like Philip and James, you could say that the whole purpose of your life is to keep growing in your friendship with Jesus. But it’s not all your work. As you draw close to the Lord, he will draw close to you (James 4:8). So continue to reach out to Jesus. Trust that you can come to know, ever more deeply, the love of the Father in the Person of his Son.
“Lord, I want to know you more each day.”
1 Corinthians 15:1-8
Psalm 19:2-5
