Daily Gospel Reflection for May 17, 2025

Join us as we reflect, ponder, and pray together inspired by today's Gospel.

Today's Gospel: John 14:7-14

Jesus begins this passage by saying, “IF you really know me ...,” which is a bit stunning because He’s speaking to His closest friends. These Twelve have lived with Him, heard His teachings multiple times, and seen miracles including seeing Jesus raise the dead and stop storms in their tracks. They had eaten with Him, slept in the same room, walked the same roads ... they were the closest anyone could be. So simply being with someone doesn’t mean you KNOW them.

Then Philip jumps in and says, “Yes, show us the Father!”

I bet this has happened to you: You have just had a long discussion with your child about something and then he asks the very same question that began the conversation ... have you been there? Like he wasn’t even listening to your five-minute explanation? This is how Jesus must have felt after Philip’s request. Like, uh, were you even listening?

It’s easy for us to be hard on the disciples, but we must remember that they are human beings struggling with these declarations in real time. We have the benefit of the Holy Spirit, and knowing the Father is only available with the help of the Holy Spirit. The poor disciples were without this advantage.

I think Jesus is telling us: You cannot follow me; you cannot see the Father as you are — with ordinary human ability, knowledge, strength, and understanding. We can only really know the Father and the Son with the help of the Holy Spirit.

Ponder:

Do I ask for the Holy Spirit’s help to understand, or do I try to comprehend on my own?

Pray:

Holy Spirit, please help me to know the Father and the Son more intimately and let that be reflected in my life. Help me not to rely on my own understanding.

Daily Gospel 2