Greetings on this the Feast of Saints Philip and James, Apostles
Readings: 1 Cor 15:1-8; PS 19:2-3, 4-5; Jn 14:6-14
Notes: Paul’s letter to the Corinthians is a good example of the creedal values being articulated in a structured way in the early life of the Church.
Reflection (Franciscan)
As in the case of the other apostles, we see in James and Philip human men who became foundation stones of the Church, and we are reminded again that holiness and its consequent apostolate are entirely the gift of God, not a matter of human achieving. All power is God’s power, even the power of human freedom to accept his gifts. “You will be clothed with power from on high,” Jesus told Philip and the others. Their first commission had been to expel unclean spirits, heal diseases, announce the kingdom. They learned, gradually, that these externals were sacraments of an even greater miracle inside their persons—the divine power to love like God.
Franciscan Media: https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saints-philip-and-james
My Reflection
Jesus uses a very Moses-centric test to understand who he is and who is speaking for.
The words that I speak to you I do not speak on my own.
The Father who dwells in me is doing his works.
Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me,
or else, believe because of the works themselves.
- He Speaks.
- He Does.
- He is believable.
First reading
Tradition
I am reminding you, brothers and sisters,
of the Gospel I preached to you,
which you indeed received and in which you also stand.
Creed
For I handed on to you as of first importance what I also received:
that Christ died for our sins
in accordance with the Scriptures;
that he was buried;
that he was raised on the third day
in accordance with the Scriptures.
Resurrection
that he appeared to Cephas, then to the Twelve.
After that, he appeared to more
than five hundred brothers and sisters at once,
most of whom are still living,
though some have fallen asleep.
After that he appeared to James,
then to all the Apostles.
His Own Calling
Last of all, as to one born abnormally,
he appeared to me.
Responsorial Psalm
Their message goes out through all the earth.
Alleluia Verse
I am the way, the truth, and the life, says the Lord;
Philip, whoever has seen me has seen the Father.
Gospel Portion
Jesus said to Thomas, “I am the way and the truth and the life.
No one comes to the Father except through me.
If you know me, then you will also know my Father.
From now on you do know him and have seen him.”
Amen, amen, I say to you,
whoever believes in me will do the works that I do,
and will do greater ones than these,
because I am going to the Father.
And whatever you ask in my name, I will do,
so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
If you ask anything of me in my name, I will do it.
- Jesus’ way is Truth.
- Jesus’ life is Eternal.
Knowing Jesus is to know the Father.
Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry
Deacon Gerry Palermo 