How often have we found ourselves in Philip’s shoes? Yes, Philip’s adventure is the same as ours. It takes time, yet the journey into Jesus’ arms increases our awareness of what we are doing, what He did: listening and being obedient to the Holy Spirit’s nudging.
We have access to all the necessary tools. We have met and grown with people who have embraced Jesus, and now we dare to share what we feel in our hearts: the joy and the love that the Father has given to Jesus.
Children look at their environment: a house where they are loved, food to eat, toys to play with, and opportunities to learn. Is Our Father any different? We have a choice: God’s way or not?
Children learn from each other. Learning is a two-way street for us. Are we opening ourselves to learn from each other? To share with each other? Do you feel vulnerable explaining “emotional experiences” that are new to us? These experiences are not new; they simply fall outside our usual focus. This is spiritual growth.
We are each other’s playmates, lighting up the darkness for one another. And just like the candles we lit on Holy Saturday when we heard the LIGHT OF CHRIST, THANKS BE TO GOD called out as the Easter candle was carried into church, we realize again we are light. Our Father is giving us this playground in which to grow, learn, share, and love, and we do it together.
Let us pray:
Loving Father, today’s epistle gives us just one example of how we, your daughters and sons, learned to spread the good news and respond to our brother Jesus’ sacrifice, showing our initial skills in listening to your will. Now, two thousand years after our brother’s crucifixion, help us to deepen our personal faith in following your will. Teach us how to be examples of sharing love with one another, rather than ways of domination and control. Help us proactively live Jesus’ message, “Do unto others as you would have done to you.” Amen.
