Fr Peter Helman

Good morning, friends,

A disciple, Judas (not Iscariot), once asked Jesus during dinner, “Lord, how is it that you will reveal yourself to us, and not to the world?” (We read the brief account today at Morning and Evening Prayer.)

The question resounds throughout history. If Jesus had all power to heal the sick and even raise the dead, if he multiplied a few fish and loaves of bread to feed thousands and walked on stormy waters, why didn’t he make it absolutely plain to everyone he was who he said he was—the Son of God? How else could people have disbelieved, unless, despite signs and wonders, Jesus was either partial or unclear?

The whole point of Jesus' ministry was to draw the whole world to himself. True, Jesus performed many miracles in the light of day, but why, on many other occasions, did he sternly order his disciples and those he healed to keep secret what they witnessed?

To Judas' question, Jesus doesn’t really give an answer, or at least not an especially satisfactory one. “Those who love me," Jesus replied, "will keep my word, and my Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them.”

What do you make of Jesus' answer?

On the one hand, it leaves a lot to be desired. On the other, I wonder if his reply is as good as it gets. Jesus did reveal himself to the world. The word spread from person to person, down to this very day, and still belief is difficult for everyone to come by. Even seeing the dead raised, some turned aside in disbelief. Maybe it's just pride, but that surprises me. I wonder if miracles would have been enough for me to be rid of any doubts. I'm unsure at times how to make sense of the fact that I have not seen Jesus face to face, nor witnessed the dead raised, but love Jesus and believe with all my heart he is the Son of God. I confess that joyfully, knowing I've not produced belief but have all at once discovered its gift, and admit as well that I also wrestle mightily with the reality of doubt.

Jesus replies to Judas and speaks not of incontravertable proof, an illusive luxury no mortal will know, but rather of relationship. The light of God's love makes a home in our hearts, whether we have seen Jesus face to face or have heard the testimony of others and followed the voice of the one who calls us each by name.

Jesus did reveal himself to the world. He called disciples--Peter, Andrew, James, John, Nathanael, James the Younger, Judas (not Iscariot), Thaddeus, Matthew, Philip, Simon the Zealot, and Judas Iscariot who was replaced by Matthias--and commissioned them to go and proclaim and baptize everyone. We are their heirs and so follow in their wake, proclaiming and baptizing.

Be a light to the world of the love of God in Jesus Christ that still speaks today. Tell others of what you have seen and heard, and trust God to do the rest.

Your brother in Christ,
Fr. Peter