Ladies, mark it down. Today's gospel might be the first recorded case in the history of human kind of a man asking for directions. And perhaps the only one... Peter says: "Lord, we don't know where you are going, how can we know the way..." And then Philip asks: "show us the way to the Father." Boom. There you have it. The first time a male actually asked for directions. Note it well. It's a somewhat rare occurrence.

When you are lost, do you ask for directions? It was my freshman year in college, first semester, just after the Saturday night Fall Talent Show. I was innocently minding my own business, on my way to get a drink, when suddenly this gal named Monica steps right in front of me, and stops me. "You don't know who I am, but I know you and I know your brothers so I'm just going to stand here and give you trouble." 'Woof!' And within 4 minutes, this product of an all boy high school seminary was introduced to 8 very beautiful women. One of whom who's name was Mary. So I talked with the group, but especially paid attention to Mary. And then she called a day later. Then I called. Then she called back. And then I called and then...then I was lost. I was so lost in a world of emotions that I had never experienced before, had no clue how to handle or even where to go for help. (Not that I was sure that I even wanted to be rescued.) And for two weeks, I was in major LUV... Major luv... But this was unfamiliar territory. And I needed a road map in the worst sort of way. Unfortunately, the one on how to deal with your emotions and your romantic life was a little hard to find your first semester in the college seminary, and it wasn't like I could go down the hall (yet) and talk to my friends about it... So, rather than ask directions, I did the only sensible thing I could think of. I equivalently stopped the car. I ended the whirlwind romance with Mary and retreated back to the safe shelter of the world I knew - playing soccer in the gym and hallways, studies and the like.

What do you do when you are lost? Are you willing to ask for directions? To the disciples credit, they were willing to do so. Though I am not sure they necessarily liked the map that Jesus gave them. What Jesus told them is this: "You want to know how to get home, how to be a good follower, how to know the Father - then follow me. Follow me. I am the way and the truth that is life. Do you want to know the key to living life fully now, then learn from my Father and I. There is a pattern. There is a way. There is a direction that will help you in the moments when you are lost.

And what is that? What is THE PATTERN of living that makes sense out of all the situations in life? That makes our choices clearer, our path more certain? It is the path of self-emptying love. The path of self-emptying love! That is the 'work' that Jesus does that testifies to his truth. For in John's Gospel, Jesus journeys toward his hour when he is lifted up, not the helpless victim of history, but the sacrificial lamb of self-emptying love. There upon the cross of a love that gives itself away, we know the truth that sets us free. It is all that Jesus knows from the Father, who at every moment is pouring himself, giving himself to the Son. It is all that Jesus the Son knows, as He is 'one with the Father' - as he spends his life's blood and sweat and tears for humanity - in union with the Father.

Show us the Father, and it is enough, cries Philip. So Jesus does. To see self-emptying love, is to touch the love of the Father. And, as often as your life and mine begin to touch that kind of love, we'll be doing the same works that Jesus does.

Are you lost? Do you wonder how to get back on track, back to a life that is full of meaning? Then, give yourself away. Give yourselves away. For those who lose their lives, gain it. Those who give love away as often as possible, find a meaning that will never end. And a road map that will guide them through all the paths, charted and uncharted, that the world will present them with. And they'll know the way and truth that leads to life...