The Image of the Father

There’s a story about some older men who gathered to celebrate the 50th anniversary of their college graduation. Naturally, all of them had changed in appearance over the years – they were grayer, balder, more wrinkled, and so on. But instead of providing name tags, the master of ceremonies decided that it would be more fun to have each man stand up in turn and have the others try to identify him using as a guide the picture from their college yearbook.

As they proceeded, they were able to identify all but one man. Nothing in his present appearance gave him away. Finally, the man said, “All right! I can see that you all don’t recognize me. Wait just a minute and I’ll give you a clue.” With that, he stepped out of the room and then came back with a good-looking young man by his side. “This,” he said, “is my son. Now, do you know who I am?” Almost immediately several men called out his name. The appearance of the son, who resembled his father, allowed the other men to identity him.

In the Christian faith, we believe that Jesus gives us the clearest picture of what God looks like. When we read about Jesus in the gospels, we see his compassion and forgiveness, we hear his challenge to live differently, and we feel his sacrificial love.

In his Gospel, John tells us, “No one has ever seen God, only the Son, who is close to the Father’s heart, who has made him known.”

Let us pray: We praise you, O God, for you are a compassionate, forgiving, and loving God. We thank you for your Son Jesus who shows us your heart. Today, I pray for those who need to know your loving presence. Be near to them. Surround them with your grace – even now. Amen.