I AM IN THE FATHER

PRAYER MOMENT 

Saturday 2 May 2015, St Athanasius

I AM IN THE FATHER

Pause. Enter into the stillness of God within.

Reading: “Philip, do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me?” (John 14;7-14)

Reflection. It so happens that we read the exchange between Jesus and Philip in John 14 on the day we celebrate St Athanasius. Philip says, “Lord, let us see the Father and then we shall be satisfied.” This gives John the occasion to recall Jesus’ words about his unity with the Father – a theme that now surfaces clearly in these discources of the closing chapters of John. Athanasius was exiled five times by the emperor from his diocese of Alexandria for his fidelity to the Nicene Creed, promulgated in 325, which contains the words we say every Sunday: “One Being (consubstantial) with the Father.” Arius and his followers would not accept this Oneness, which later we professed as the Trinity.

Prayer. Lord, as we recall the fidelity and courage of Athanasius, help us to ponder the revelation you give us of your unity with the Father and the Spiit into which you invite us. Amen.

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