It is comforting to know that our belief in Christ Jesus is our means to eternal life. But if you listen to the gospels carefully, it is clear that they ask more of us than simply believing in Jesus. Jesus asks us not simply to believe in His name but to do His works. He says, “Whoever believes in me will do the works that I do.” Faith, while an essential part of discipleship is not sufficient in itself. It must be lived out in such a way that it reflects God’s love in our lives.
As modern-day disciples how exactly do we do this?
We who follow Christ must work with integrity and compassion. When we are able to forgive an enemy, to reach out and touch a leper, or to show graciousness to those who do not deserve it, we know that God is working in us and through us. This makes us both humble and blessed.
We who follow Christ must also be willing to give witness to our faith. Today's Gospel is a scene from the Last Supper during which we see the Master take the role of the servant, humbling himself to wash the feet of his disciples. We see him bless and commission his disciples to bring His healing power of forgiveness, offering reconciliation between mankind and mankind with God. And he showed his people how to gather around his table, break bread together and make his saving presence real once again.
This fits a pattern for the early church: all members of the laity, both men and women alike, would take ownership of the aspects of their new community life. (Acts 6:4)
The First Letter of Peter addresses the difficulty of living the Christian life in a hostile, secular environment that upholds different values and subjected the Christian community to ridicule and oppression. This message is still relevant today. The author assures the people: "you are 'a chosen race, a royal priesthood,' a holy nation, a people of his own, so that you may announce the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light."
Somewhere along the way, this royal priesthood of Jesus Christ became seen as a special gift offered only to a few, rather than the duty and responsibility of all baptized Christians. We need to return to the original understanding that our faith rests not in the organization that we call “church” but in the Person who gathers this community together and sends it forth.
In the Gospel, Philip speaks for all of us when he says to Jesus: "Show us the Father. We really only need one thing - to see God. Show us how to do that, and it will be enough!"
Jesus answered with words that are equally critical for us: "How can you say, 'Show us the Father'? Have I been with you for so long a time and you still do not know me? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. Whoever believes in me will do the works that I do, and will do greater ones than these.“
