Will we see much more, as we look at the world with eyes of Jesus?

By Father Perry D. Leiker, pastor

A reflection on the daily readings, for the Memorial of St. John Neumann, bishop, by Father Perry.

+ “Children, let us love not in word or speech, but in deed and truth.”

Could this be the birthplace of the saying: “Actions speak louder than words.”

Hmmm! Well, it certainly is if you are the person in need and someone shows you real compassion — not just in words, but especially in deeds.

It echoes another famous passage found in the Letter of James: “If one of you says to him, ‘Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,’ but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.”

+ John’s letter keeps hammering away at the same message.

Let’s face it, there is something so human about helping another human in need.

And yet, even that is or can be complicated.

What if a person doesn’t want help? Or what if a person just takes advantage of your kindness or compassion and uses you repeatedly and even perhaps rudely?

It would seem that John’s letter was being written to a community that had become heartless and incapable of showing any compassion.

It would seem that it had become a community that talked real big but did very little. It would seem …

+ There is another saying: “What you see is what you get.”

It applies not only to this reflection of John but also to this call of Philip in the Gospel.

It is kind of a strange little conversation that takes place, but Jesus, as usual, sees someone and sees into that person in an extraordinary way.

The same was true for how he saw Nathaniel.

Jesus could see and recognize inner qualities and recognize the goodness of a person.

But he also foretold that Philip also would see in extraordinary ways — and see remarkable things.

+ As usual, this word of God today is the little story on the page; but it becomes the big story when we see ourselves in it.

What does God see in us? What do we see in one another as we listen to the word today? Does the word today spark within us a desire or intention to see the world with a little more compassion and love?

Do we believe that we, too, have been called — just like Nathaniel and Philip?

And do we believe that like Nathaniel and Philip we, too, will see much more, especially as we look at the world with the eyes of Jesus?

Do the words of Jesus ring a bell in our minds and hearts: “You and [put your name here] will see greater things than this.”

+ Yes, the big story is that once we hear these words of Jesus deep within our hearts, indeed, we can never be the same.

And we must be sure to understand that all of this is not about being sinless or perfect, but it is about being called and led, and enlightened and given a truth that brings us out of darkness and into the light.

Just as the Gospel Acclamation tells it today: “A holy day has dawned upon us. Come, you nations, and adore the Lord. Today a great light has come upon the earth. Alleluia! Alleluia!”

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Father Perry D. Leiker is the 13th pastor of St. Bernard Catholic Church. Reach him at (323) 255-6142. Email Father Perry at pleiker@stbernard-church.com. Follow Father Perry on Twitter: @MrDeano76.