Seeing the Father in Joy

 The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today invites us to contemplate the role of joy in being workers in the vineyard of Christ.

Harvest in the Vineyard

The Reading from the Acts of the Apostles presents Paul’s Address to the Gentiles

* [13:46] The refusal to believe frustrates God’s plan for his chosen people; however, no adverse judgement is made here concerning their ultimate destiny. Again, Luke, in the words of Paul, speaks of the priority of Israel in the plan for salvation (see Acts 10:36). (Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 13 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 98 is extolling God for Israel’s victory. 

* [Psalm 98] A hymn, similar to Ps 96, extolling God for Israel’s victory (Ps 98:1–3). All nations (Ps 98:4–6) and even inanimate nature (Ps 98:7–8) are summoned to welcome God’s coming to rule over the world (Ps 98:9). (Psalms, PSALM 98 | USCCB, n.d.)

The Gospel of John presents the Last Supper Discourse on knowing the Father.

* [14:7] An alternative reading, “If you knew me, then you would have known my Father also,” would be a rebuke, as in Jn 8:19.

* [14:8] Show us the Father: Philip is pictured asking for a theophany like Ex 24:9–10; 33:18. (John, CHAPTER 14 | USCCB, n.d.)

Rev. Kent Beausoleil, SJ, comments “I bring these burnt biscuit moments from the memories of my mind, for today we celebrate the life of Saint Athanasius. Athanasius was a man whose theological rigor ensured that his articulations of the faith included all the necessary and correct ingredients. He defended his faith with spiritual truth, paying close attention to theological matters that required careful oversight and defense, ensuring he was never burnt in his defense of the faith.  In the end, Athanasius was a man whose theological presuppositions were never half-baked, and always came out ‘quite right’.”

Jesus is, on this day where we celebrate Saint Athanasius, where Saint Paul and Barnabas stood in defense of God’s good news in the Acts of the apostles, where Jesus proclaims in the Gospel of John, ‘I and the Father are one”, that Jesus is the essential ingredient of our faith that can never be left out of the recipe. That with Saint Athanasius we, like him, know that our faith through prayer needs to be forever practiced and watched over despite persecution so that in the end our faith comes out ‘just right’ not underdone, and not overdone and dried out. 

Finally, in living out the truth of our faith, we—along with Saint Athanasius, Barnabas, Paul, and Philip—must temper our spirit with humility. We must never form a hard theological crust too quickly, remaining open to the Holy Spirit as the Spirit moves us away from half-baked understandings of our faith. This allows the Spirit to ‘rise’ ever more within us: this great and awesome mystery of God and us together in love. (Beausoleil, n.d.)

Don Schwager quotes “The Father's portrait in the Son”, by Ambrose of Milan, 339-397 A.D.

"By means of this image the Lord showed Philip the Father. Yes, he who looks on the Son sees, in portrait, the Father. Notice what kind of portrait is spoken of. It is truth, righteousness, the power of God. It is not silent, for it is the Word. It is not insensible, for it is Wisdom. It is not vain and foolish, for it is power. It is not soulless, for it is the life. It is not dead, for it is the resurrection." (excerpt from ON THE CHRISTIAN FAITH 1.7.50) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on John 14:7-14 comments on the way Jesus related to these crowds. He told relatable parables about prodigal sons, sowers and seeds, and goodhearted Samaritans. When he healed and drove out demons, he did it without any flashy demonstrations of force. He didn’t demand any sacrifices before acting, and he didn’t command those he healed to become his servants. He simply worked wonders and moved on.

Jesus was so humble and unassuming. And that’s the point: he came to reveal God’s true character. He came as One who calls, “Come, follow me,” not as a god who forces us to believe (Luke 18:22). He came to offer his life as an atoning sacrifice for us, not to overpower us or coerce us into becoming his disciples. In fact, he is not like any god that humans had imagined up to that point. He is so much better!

So fix your eyes on Jesus today and hear the Spirit say to you, “Behold, your God!” Simply worship him for his goodness, and that will be enough.

“Jesus, perfect image of the invisible God, help me to see you more clearly!” (Meditation on John 14:7-14, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments that in Acts we have a pattern in Paul’s ministry: first preach in the synagogue which is followed by jealousy and being expelled from the Synagogue and then to the Gentiles with eventual expulsion from the city. In all of this they are filled with joy and the Holy Spirit. They are the way they should be with nothing to worry about. In the Last Supper discourses Jesus declares He is one with the Father. Seeing Jesus is seeing the Father and if we embrace Jesus we are already living with the Father. Friar Jude reminds us this is not a “get out of jail free card”. We can ask for what we really need, not our wants. We are assured of receiving the most loving answer from God.

Father Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces Father William McNichols and Mirabai Starr who partnered to create a book of icons and prayers, Mother of God Similar to Fire, to honor the many representations of Mary found across the world and time. They invite us to pray with an image of Mary…

Walking on water,

You come carrying the light of the world, Blessed one.

You part the tempestuous tide of my life

and shine your candle into the dark corners of my mind,

banishing the shadows that have collected there.

I have lost my way, radiant Lady,

lured by the false lights of the mundane world.

I need to return to the garden of my soul.

You are the Morning Star, sweet Mother, 

and I welcome you.

I am ready to rise from the darkness

and greet this new day.

Help me to shed the burdens of my past

and begin again,

galvanized with faith,

cleansed with light.

 

 “Our Lady of the Lake.” (Rohr, n.d.)

We seek the Wisdom of the Spirit to inform our journey with joy that comes from our relationship with Jesus who models our path to full life.

References

Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 13 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved May 2, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/acts/13?44 

Beausoleil, K. (n.d.). Daily Refelections. Creighton Online Ministries: Home. Retrieved May 2, 2026, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/daily-reflections/daily-reflection-may-2-2026 

John, CHAPTER 14 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved May 2, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/14?7 

Meditation on John 14:7-14. (n.d.). Word Among Us. Retrieved May 2, 2026, from https://wau.org/meditations/2026/05/02/1555842/ 

Psalms, PSALM 98 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved May 2, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/98? 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). Do Not Be Afraid: Weekly Summary. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved May 2, 2026, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/do-not-be-afraid-weekly-summary/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). Lord, Show Us the Father. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved May 2, 2026, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/