Greater Works
Saturday of the Fourth Week of Easter
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
John 14:7-14 - Jesus said to his disciples: “If you know me, then you will also know my Father. From now on you do know him and have seen him.” Philip said to Jesus, “Master, show us the Father, and that will be enough for us.” Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you for so long a time and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on my own. The Father who dwells in me is doing his works. Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else, believe because of the works themselves. Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever believes in me will do the works that I do, and will do greater ones than these, because I am going to the Father. And whatever you ask in my name, I will do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything of me in my name, I will do it.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“…whoever believes in me will do the works that I do.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
Jesus says, “whoever believes in me will do the works that I do.” When we hear this, we might first think that Jesus is speaking symbolically. Certainly we can’t do the works that Jesus does, can we? He heals the sick, when He speaks, His will is done. His word even raises the dead. What can Jesus possibly mean when He says we will do His works? Jesus means exactly what He says. He means that believers can do the works He does. A closer reading of the Gospel suggests just how this happens. We are right to be leery of the idea that we might have the power to do miraculous things…but here, our focus is wrong. When Jesus says we can do these things, He isn’t speaking about our own power… He is promising His power in us. So He repeats, “I will do it.”
Through the centuries, the saints have performed many miracles. This might cause us confusion, even fear, for such power seems strange to us. Actually, the great saints, even those who worked wonders, were very normal, weak, little humans like us. The reason they performed miracles is that they opened themselves up to God living and working in them. It is God who works the wonders through the hands of His servants. Considered this way, it is really very normal and understandable! As we grow in the Christian life, we’ll see God beginning to work in us, too. We must be open to Christ living in us and working through us. In prayer, ask Mary to help us to be open to God living in us.
As a family, pray a portion of the Rosary together (very short if children are young) reflecting on the Scripture passage above. (Optional: allow a brief time for discussion or questions from children concerning their thoughts and prayer.)
Reminder for Parents: Pier is just meant to be a jumping off point. The real goal is that you pray & eventually use the fruits of your personal prayer as the content of your family’s prayer. Duc in altum.
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