Philip says to Jesus: "Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied." (Jn 14: 8) Earlier, in the Gospel of John, Philip says of Jesus: "We have found him about whom Moses in the law and also the prophets wrote" (Jn 1: 45) but now he struggles to understand how Jesus reveals the Father. The question I have is - what would count to convince Philip and indeed me, also? What would be enough? When I look at atheists and agnostics who challenge the Church regarding matters of faith I see that nothing will ever suffice. They have a pre-determined ideology that precludes regarding anything as being credible because for them faith in God is by definition irrational. Any miracle or other proof must have any explanation, regardless of how unlikely it may be, which will exclude recognising the living God for who he is thereby compelling my assent of faith.
So what is Jesus response? He points Philip first of all to his words. We need to trust what Jesus says and to believe what the Scriptures say about him. Second, Jesus points to the works of relationship that he has with the Father and how the works of the Father are manifested in him. This is a relationship of perfect love and trust which shows forth the life of the Holy Trinity. Third, there are the works themselves: "Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; but if you do not, then believe me because of the works themselves." (Jn 14: 11) The miracles Jesus performed, including the resurrection, speak of a power that is proper to God and no one else. Fourth, Jesus invites Philip to look at the works of those who believe in him. These speak of Christ's ongoing presence in the world through the Church. It is fitting, therefore, to look for proof of what Christ claimed in the lives of the saints.
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