PRAYING “LA PAROLA DEL PADRE”
Jesus Christ: model and archetype
Scripture reading (Jn 14:5–9)
Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going; how can we know the way?” Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but by me. If you had known me, you would have known my Father also; henceforth you know him and have seen him.”
Philip said to him, “Lord, show us the Father, and we shall be satisfied.” Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and yet you do not know me, Philip? He who has seen me has seen the Father; how can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?
Confortian response
Parola del Padre 16, April 1919
“I am the way, the truth and the life; anyone who follows me does not walk in darkness, said the divine Master. These words should persuade us of our duty to keep our eyes fixed on him as the incomparable model we should imitate […].
He wants to be a model for everyone, of every age, condition and state in life […]. He can be easily imitated by anyone. In the thoughts of the mind and the affections of the heart, in words and in actions, in the fulfilment of domestic and civic duties, as well as in those of the religious state.
In all things, he offers himself to us as a model, but, in a special way, this holds true for the Priest and the Missionary who should be the most faithful copy of the divine Master.
There is therefore no more beautiful, or all-embracing and effective resolution than the desire to raise the mind to Christ. In all the circumstances of life, be they happy or sad, we should reflect on how Christ would judge, speak and behave in similar circumstances, in order that we might become like him”.
Personal reflection
The Founder presents to us one of the most typical motivations of his spirituality: we must convince ourselves that it is our duty to keep our eyes always fixed on Jesus Christ, as the incomparable model we must imitate.
Our life will always be little more than mediocre unless Jesus becomes a passion, a dominating thought that accompanies us everywhere, a living person that we see and touch, with whom we are constantly in contact, who influences us, walks ahead of us, accompanies us and brings all our actions to their conclusion.
St. Paul has some important expressions such as: “Clothe yourselves in Christ” (Gal 3:27); “Learn from Christ” (Eph 4:17–21); “Live according to Christ” (Col 2:6); “Become true images of Christ” (Rm 8:29). (Fr. Amato Danigno)