They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, with a request. "Sir," they said, "we would like to see Jesus."
John 12:21

A story is related in which an eaglet is found by an individual who owned a chicken farm and rather than leave the young eagle to its own devices, raised that particular bird of prey on the chicken farm. This young eagle, having lived amongst the chickens, never expanded its wings and never soared as eagles are born to do.

Subsequently, the individual who had raised this eaglet decided to move. This decision did not come without cost and included a decision to sell all of the items associated with the chicken farm. However, because of the affection that this individual had with the eagle, it was decided that he would try to let the eagle loose rather than sell this proud bird.

Subsequently, his many attempts to release the bird into the realm of the sky failed. Some of those attempts included throwing the bird skyward in hopes that it would take flight or simply dropping the bird from shoulder level in hopes that the bird would at least try to make an effort to soften its fall. However, none of these efforts were successful.

Finally, something miraculous happened, the individual had placed the bird on a fence post in hopes that the bird would take flight, but nothing happened until the bird lifted its majestic head and glanced skyward towards the sun. With that new vision and natural instinct, the eagle suddenly spread its wings, pushed off from the fencepost and soared into the horizon and was not seen again by the individual who had cared for this symbol of freedom, power and strength.

Our Scripture today tells us that there were some individuals from Greece who came to the disciples and said, “Sir, we would see Jesus. How wonderful is that point in the Christian’s life where the proclamation from one’s heart is voiced in the expression of wanting to see Jesus and him alone.

Reflection:

This day the question that needs to be asked of hearts is are we like the eagle who stays on the ground and flocks together with the chickens or are we like the eagle who, at the glimpse of something heavenly, soars off towards that heavenly sphere?

Is the expression of our heart this day, “Sir, we would see Jesus.”

Petition: Father, we acknowledge that within our being we have Your “Eagle” nature. However, we have not spread our wings to fly heavenward and soar towards Your essence, power and light. Father, our hearts cry is that we would rise up, spread our wings and soar towards Your heart. Father, we would see Jesus. Amen