John 14:9b-12
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. Very truly, I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do and, in fact, will do greater works than these, because I am going to the Father.
Reflection – Dee Dee Lyon
Several years ago the church that we attended was dissolved for various reasons and the property was sold. I was devastated, primarily because I was an original member of that church. But we could still do the work of the Father and of Jesus with our energy and our money until we could find another home church. We did this with our brothers and sisters from Cahaba Valley who still wanted to work together. Even without our formal church, we set out to be the church. For years we went to Family Court Detention, and we still donate to several agencies that help the poor, several that started in Cahaba Valley, but some that did not, such as Greater Birmingham Ministries, which is part of my faith and love for the marginalized. Regardless of the disappointments we may face, we can only hope that our actions show some evidence of Jesus and the Father in our lives. May we allow these lyrics to set the tone for us as we open ourselves to following where God leads and doing God’s work while we are here.
Breathe on me, Breath of God, Fill me with life anew,
That I may love what Thou dost love and do what Thou wouldst do.
“Breathe on me, Breath of God” verse 1