We wish to see Jesus

Scripture/Bible: Now among those who went up to worship at the feast were some Greeks. 21 So these came to Philip, who was from Beth-sa'ida in Galilee, and said to him, "Sir, we wish to see Jesus." 22 Philip went and told Andrew; Andrew went with Philip and they told Jesus. 23 And Jesus answered them, "The hour has come for the Son of man to be glorified. 24 Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. 25 He who loves his life loses it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26 If any one serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there shall my servant be also; if any one serves me, the Father will honor him. 27 "Now is my soul troubled. And what shall I say? 'Father, save me from this hour'? No, for this purpose I have come to this hour. 28 Father, glorify thy name." Then a voice came from heaven, "I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again." 29 The crowd standing by heard it and said that it had thundered. Others said, "An angel has spoken to him." 30 Jesus answered, "This voice has come for your sake, not for mine. 31 Now is the judgment of this world, now shall the ruler of this world be cast out; 32 and I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself." 33 He said this to show by what death he was to die. John 12:20-33

Reflection: Recently there was a news article in one of the web based Catholic news magazine about the importance of having Christian names.  The article complained bitterly about the attitude of giving local and meaningless names to children when baptized.

In the Gospel we have an example of an apostle of Jesus with a Greek name; Philip, which means lover of horses.  This could be the reason why these Greek approach Philip and request him for an audience to see Jesus. Though, ultimately Philip had to approach Andrew in order to do so.

Jesus a Jew may have never insisted on Philip having a Jewish name and the fact that Jesus addressed this issue in Simon and gave him the name Peter, yet he never gave a thought to changing Phillips’s name is a proof of that.

“What’s in a name?” said William Shakespeare.  But surely there is something, we see Philip may have been approached by the Greeks, in order to see Jesus, on account of his Greek name.

Similarly, a name may not mean much but a good, sound name always counts and parents must take great care in choosing the name of their children.  Even seeking God’s wisdom in all prayer and discernment, rather than opting for fanciful names which carry no meaning. One normally chooses a saint or a holy person’s name so that the child grows up by taking the Holy one as role model and may have the intercession and support of the concerned saint.

But of much more significance would be if the parent, whatever name they may give their child, ultimately trains them to be a witness of Christ. So that just as the Greeks approach Philip, likewise as they grow up others too may approach them and ask them; "Sir, we wish to see Jesus."

A name may not matter much in comparison to how one responds to God’s call, which is irrespective of our name or background and how one submits to what he has to do with us and our name.   

Similarly, how we take them to Jesus is not the problem, whether through the intercession of St. Andrew or the other saints or Angels or with Mary as our mother or it could be with the help of common friends and dedicated disciples of Jesus; as long as one is an instrument to lead them to see Jesus.

Prayer:  “A good name is better than precious ointment”, Help me to be one by using me as your instrument.  (cfr. Eccl 7:1)

DD = Dedicated Discipleship:  Come grow in the Lord with us