DAILY REFLECTION: Saturday May 05, 2007

Today's gospel is a repeat of the gospel read on the feast of the apostles James and Philip just a few days ago. It serves us well to consider these words of John's gospel because this offers us a way to consider the relationship of Jesus to his Father as well as our relationship to God.
Our creed in the older translation states that Jesus is "one in being with the Father." The newer translation put forth by the Congregation for Divine Worship brings the translation back and closer to the Latin: "consubstantial with the Father." Well, for the Latin scholars it may have more meaning. For the rest of us it will mean a time of "getting used to another change!
The meaning of each phrase is the same: Jesus and his Father share the same nature, one being.
Whenever we gather to celebrate the Eucharist, there we have an extraordinary time to contemplate the relationship of Jesus with his Father. As well we have the opportunity to consider how we are related to God the Father, His Son and the Holy Spirit. Just as the relationship of God and His Son is so very unique, so too is our relationship to God. In the Eucharist we are reminded once again that our sinfulness has been redeemed, our human nature is healed. God is with us, no longer separated by sin.