A Reflection of the Father

Do you remember that famous line in Genesis (1:27): "In His image He created them"? This means that we are a direct reflection of the face of Christ. We receive Him even more closely in the sacraments of Baptism, First Communion and Confirmation. Jesus gave us a direct path to holiness through the sacraments and the moral guidance of the Church. If we follow this path we can be so closely united to Him that others can't help but notice the presence of the Lord in us.

In the Gospel today Jesus says to Thomas "No one comes to the Father except through me. If you know me, then you will also know my Father." Then later He says to Philip, "Whoever has seen me has seen the Father."

I like to put myself into this Gospel by reminding myself that when people see me, they see the Father because Jesus is in me. I carry His image within my own. What a responsibility! By people knowing me, they should also know the Father through me.

Most of the reasons I've heard of why people have left the faith have to do with the ugliness they've seen in some people who claim to carry Christ in them. This makes me reflect on how I live everyday life. When I walk through the grocery store, do I show people kindness? When I'm in a conversation, do I listen with compassion?

Every encounter we have, we should remember that our role is to help others see the Father, and grow in relationship with Him.