Coffee With God

Reflection: John 16:16-20

 

Today, the Church celebrates the feast of Saint Philip Neri. Saint Philip was born into a well-educated, Catholic, middle-class home in Italy. After growing up in Florence, he moved to Rome to study Theology. While he was still a layperson, he founded a group to care for the many impoverished pilgrims who came to Rome. He was ordained a priest in 1551. He often begged alms from his wealthy friends and acquaintances to redistribute to needy street children. He was so well loved and so well known in Rome that he is sometimes called its “Third Apostle” after Saint Peter and Saint Paul. He was a cheerful listener, always available for others … He embodied simplicity and elegance at the same time. He was just like everyone, yet…everyone saw the invisible halo casting a glow over the Saint, and people crowded around him, for they knew they were witnessing the life of a saint. Today’s Gospel leaves us with some mysterious words of Jesus: “In a little while you will no longer see me, and in a little while you will see me again”. The disciples are sad because Jesus is going away from them; but the reunion will bring them joy again. “Seeing” or perceiving is done in many ways. There are those who, in spite of having their eyes open, do not perceive or understand anything. And there are those who even with their eyes closed see and understand everything. We believe that Jesus is present not only in the Eucharist and the Word of God, but also amidst us – walks with us in our daily lives, especially among the poor, the needy, the marginalized and the sick. There are people who are able to perceive beyond what can be seen or touched. They discover signs of hope, of life, of God’s presence, while many others are able to see only darkness and despair. They are people who have the light, the love of God within their hearts and that is why they see what others fail to see. They are able to light up the lives around them and to live in joy. They see Jesus walking with us, they feel his presence in the poor, in those who are sad and lonely. Let us ask the intercession of St. Philip Neri that Holy Spirit may enlighten us from within so that we may discover God’s presence close to us, that we may be able to light up hope in our hearts and communicate it to those we meet along the way. We do not see Jesus physically but if we open our eyes, we will find him by our side, because he does not leave us alone.