It is not an unusual experience to look in the mirror and realize that you look increasingly like one of your parents! I’ve had people who knew my father tell me that I have his mannerisms and reactions. We even look at old albums and see from the photos that we smile like a parent did, walk like them, and have similar hobbies. In fact, three generations can separate parents and grandchildren, yet they still seem so much alike over that long period. This strong sense of similarity and connection made me think about Jesus’ saying in today’s Gospel: “I am in my Father, and you are in me and I in you.” Jesus experienced His Father in Him, but then Jesus saw Himself in us as well. What is it that makes for such a strong connection between the generations? It is love! When we love those below us in age, as well as those above us in age, it shows love in the chains that connects us. Through incarnation, Eucharist and Resurrection, we are all one loving body of Christ with each other and with all humanity. So, when say we should “grow in Christ,” what we really are saying is “we should begin to look like him more and more!” People can see the resemblance between Christ and us when we do the works of God’s love. You might have heard the story of a group of businessmen who had just finished a weekend of a business retreat and were anxious to get home to their families. After their retreat, they rushed to the airport to catch their flight which they didn't’ want to miss. As they ran through the lobby, they accidentally knocked over a table which was being used by a woman who was selling apples. The apples fell on the floor and spread all over. Not wanting to miss their flight, the men ignored the woman and kept running to their gate. Only one man stopped and turned around. He felt so sorry for the poor woman who was now on her knees picking up the apples. He went over to the woman and began to help her pick up the apples and gave her forty dollars to cover any that were damaged. As he bent over to help her, he realized she was blind, as tears were streaming down her face. He said he was sorry and gave her the money and went to the plane. Before he got far away, the woman yelled out to him and asked: “Hey mister, are you Jesus?” Well, the man finally got on another plane and when at home that night pondered her question: “Are you Jesus?” He began to see how by that simple gesture of kindness and love, he began to resemble Jesus and the Father, even from one who couldn’t see!     ~ Fr. John