The One Who Leads Us to the Father

Prayer-Soldier

The One Who Leads Us to the Father

Scripture:

And in those days, the number of the disciples increasing, there arose a murmuring of the Greeks against the Hebrews, for that their widows were neglected in the daily ministration. Then the twelve, calling together the multitude of the disciples, said: It is not reason that we should leave the word of God and serve tables. Wherefore, brethren, look out among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. But we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word. And the saying was liked by all the multitude. And they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip and Prochorus and Nicanor, and Timon and Parmenas and Nicolas, a proselyte of Antioch. These they set before the apostles: and they praying, imposed hands upon them. And the word of the Lord increased: and the number of the disciples was multiplied in Jerusalem exceedingly. A great multitude also of the priests obeyed the faith. (Acts 6:1-7)

Unto whom coming, as to a living stone, rejected indeed by men but chosen and made honorable by God: Be you also as living stones built up, a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. Wherefore it is said in the scripture: Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious. And he that shall believe in him shall not be confounded. To you therefore that believe, he is honor: but to them that believe not, the stone which the builders rejected, the same is made the head of the corner: And a stone of stumbling and a rock of scandal, to them who stumble at the word, neither do believe, where unto also they are set. But you are a chosen generation, a kingly priesthood, a holy nation, a purchased people: that you may declare his virtues, who has called you out of darkness into his marvelous light: (1 Peter 2:4-9)

Let not your heart be troubled. You believe in God: believe also in me. In the house of my Father there are many mansions. If not, I would have told you: because I go to prepare a place for you. And if I shall go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself: that where I am, you also may be. And whither I go you know: and the way you know.

Thomas said to him: Lord, we know not whither you go. And how can we know the way? Jesus said to him: I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No man comes to the Father, but by me. If you had known me, you would without doubt have known my Father also: and from henceforth you shall know him. And you have seen him.

Philip said to him: Lord, show us the Father; and it is enough for us. Jesus said to him: Have I been so long a time with you and have you not known me? Philip, he that sees me sees the Father also. How say you: Show us the Father? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father in me? The words that I speak to you, I speak not of myself. But the Father who abides in me, he does the works. Believe you not that I am in the Father and the Father in me? Otherwise believe for the very sake of the works. Amen, amen, I say to you, he that believes in me, the works that I do, he also shall do: and greater than these shall he do. (John 14:1-12)

Reflection:

Within any society, there are those who are less fortunate and do not have the means by which they can care for themselves alone. Blessed are we when we have the ability to care for ourselves, for in so doing, we gain a certain freedom; but as we walk with others, we also carry a responsibility to assist those who are in need. Some will choose to be spectators and point fingers at what must be done, but blessed are those who recognize challenges before the community and contribute to solutions. It is what God calls of us to fulfill His greatest of commandments, to love Him and to care for one another as we would care for ourselves. (Matthew 22:36-40) As people come together to assess the needs of the whole and organize to address the common good, they define who they are. They reflect the image of their Creator as they live by His commandments and organize to ensure care of the least among the children of His creation and those who are the most defenseless. (Matthew 25:40)

The lives of all are enriched as all the people consider what is asked of them by God, the gifts He has granted them and how they will share of them; not only for the benefit of their lives, but for the benefit of those who are brought across their path.

So that the children of His creation might know the example of servant leadership, the Heavenly Father sent His only begotten Son. It was He who spoke to them and gave them the blessing of the model whereby they were called to serve one another. (John 13:12-17)

If we desire to learn of love and the ways of the Heavenly Father who created us, we must look to the Son and all He teaches, not simply by word, but by example. It is He who tells us that the first shall be last and the last shall be first. (Mark 9:35)

We might ask, how is it that so few across the generations seem to understand the blessings of love which He teaches? How is it we fail to understand the ways of the Father and all the blessings we might receive should we choose to walk the path to which He beckons? How is it we are so easily seduced to live according to the desires of the world? How is it we prefer the miseries to which we are brought by selfish desires? How many blessings of life do we deny ourselves as we choose to live by ideologies and choices which are in opposition to His commandments of love? The answer is simple. It is evil which seduces us, then, turns upon us. It is evil which serves as a trap for the soul.

We need not leave ourselves vulnerable to such snares, for God has given us the power to choose against enticements of the evil one. Our Heavenly Father has given us the example of His Son so that through our Lord and Savior, we have the opportunity to see and understand the ways of the Heavenly Father and the kingdom to which He invites us. As we learn our way, let us, then, look to the teachings of the Son and allow them to lead us away from the darkness. Let us seek to open the eyes of hearts and join together so we may all share in the blessings of love.

We might be tempted to wonder, with all the problems of the world, how can we, as one person, have any impact? How can we turn away the evil which surrounds us? We must remember, Jesus did not come only to teach one of us, but to teach us all. He prepared His disciples, then, sent them forth to teach, encourage, and baptize the nations. (Matthew 28:19) The few were taught by the One and through the few, generations learned and followed. Let us, then, not be deceived to believe we cannot contribute, but instead, follow His path and offer of ourselves to do the works which He calls each of us to do.

Questions for further reflection:

In what ways are we called to serve God and one another?

In what ways are we seduced away from following the ways of our Creator?

How might we increase our understanding of the ways taught to us by Jesus?

May the peace and blessings of the Lord be with you always,
Prayer Soldier