Daily Bread

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.

In one sense, there is a paradox or mystery surrounding the oneness Jesus describes as having with his Father. How can two things be also one thing at the same time? Yet, this idea goes right to the very heart of the gospel because, in the same way, we describe ourselves as being in Christ and Christ being in us.

The idea of 'oneness' is worth exploring, and it can be difficult to get our heads around, especially as it goes against the cultural tide of individualism. So, let's dip our toes in and get ready to expand our minds (a bit)!

Oneness is different to unity. Yes, the Church, like a team or community, is a collection of united individuals, but it is much more than this — the Church is one body. We are one with Christ and one with each other.

It might feel like a paradox, but this 'oneness' has important implications for how we live and have our being. To be one with Christ and each other means that we see Christ in others and also see ourselves in others. If we live a life of oneness, we are no longer our own, but belong to God and to the Church, and we each have inherent value and worth. Yes, we are wonderful, unique, talented, creative, individuals, but we are also spiritually one. Therefore, it matters how we use our gifts and talents, our wealth and possessions, and our time and our presence. It matters how we treat others. You can see why individualistic traits such as greed, pride, and selfishness are antitheses to the gospel.

If I'm honest, I think I've hardly scratched the surface of what it means to be one with God and the Church. I feel like I get glimpses of it now and then — when I feel this deep connection with my Church family that seems to transcend material appearances and possessions. And I know that deep within me there is a resistance to being completely self-sacrificial, abandoning myself to God, and looking to the interests of others. On the one hand my soul longs to be free to live a life under the banner and security of Christ's peace and love, and on the other, I want to be in control of my own destiny!

Holy God
Thank you that you are in me and I am in you.
Help me to live a life worthy
of the privilege of being filled with your Spirit.
May I turn away from things that
would draw me away from loving you and loving others,
and may I become the person you created me to be.