Jesus cried out and said, “Whoever believes in me believes not only
in me but also in the one who sent me, and whoever sees me sees the
one who sent me.” John 12:44–45
Note that Jesus’ words in the above quoted passage start by stating
that “Jesus cried out…” This intentional addition by the Gospel
writer adds emphasis to this statement. Jesus didn’t just “say”
these words, He “cried out.” For that reason, we should be extra
attentive to these words and allow them to speak to us all the
more.
This Gospel passage takes place during the week prior to Jesus’
Passion. He entered Jerusalem triumphantly and, then, throughout
the week, spoke to various groups of people while the Pharisees
plotted against Him. The emotions were tense, and Jesus spoke with
greater and greater vigor and clarity. He spoke about His pending
death, the unbelief of many, and His oneness with the Father in
Heaven. At one point during the week, as Jesus was speaking of His
oneness with the Father, the voice of the Father spoke audibly for
all to hear. Jesus had just said, “Father, glorify your name.” And
then the Father spoke, saying, “I have glorified it and will
glorify it again.” Some thought it was thunder and others thought
it was an angel. But it was the Father in Heaven.
This context is useful when reflecting upon today’s Gospel. Jesus
passionately wants us to know that if we have faith in Him, then we
also have faith in the Father, because the Father and He are one.
Of course, this teaching on the oneness of God is nothing new to us
today—we should all be very familiar with the teaching on the Most
Holy Trinity. But in many ways, this teaching on the unity of the
Father, Son and Holy Spirit must be seen as new and pondered anew
every day.
Imagine Jesus speaking to you, personally, and with great vigor,
about His unity with the Father. Consider carefully how deeply He
desires that you understand this divine mystery of Their oneness.
Allow yourself to sense how much Jesus wants you to understand Who
He is in relation to His Father.
Prayerfully understanding the Trinity teaches us much, not only
about Who God is but about who we are. We are called to share in
the oneness of God by becoming united with Them through love. The
early Church Fathers often spoke of our calling to be “divinized,”
that is, to share in the divine life of God. And though this is a
mystery beyond complete comprehension, it’s a mystery that Jesus
deeply desires us to prayerfully ponder.
Reflect, today, upon the passion in the heart of Jesus to reveal to
you Who He is in relation to the Father. Be open to a deeper
understanding of this divine truth. And as you open yourself to
this revelation, allow God to also reveal to you His desire to draw
you into Their holy life of unity. This is your calling. This is
the reason Jesus came to earth. He came to draw us into the very
life of God. Believe it with much passion and conviction.
My passionate Lord, You spoke long ago about Your oneness with
the Father in Heaven. You speak again, today, to me, about this
glorious truth. Draw me in, dear Lord, not only to the great
mystery of Your oneness with the Father but also to the mystery of
Your calling to me to share in Your life. I accept this invitation
and pray that I become more fully one with You, the Father and the
Holy Spirit. Most Holy Trinity, I trust in You.
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Featured image above: Jesus teaches in the Temple By Jan van
Orley, via Wikimedia Commons
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