This feast day salutes SS. Philip and James, two of the Apostles who helped evangelize the world
Reflections on the readings for the Feast of Ss. Philip and James (May 3, 2019): 1 COR 15:1-8; PS 19:2-3,4-5; JN 14:6-14
MISSIO offers “Mission In Scripture” to nurture a missionary heart, providing reflections on the missionary themes in the readings of Sundays, Feast Days and Holy Days
St. Philip and St. James are honored today. They are two of the men chosen by Jesus to become His closest disciples.
James is barely mentioned in the Gospels, although we know he was the son of one of the Blessed Mother’s loyal women companions. Philip, like the rest of the Twelve, often lacked understanding of our Lord and His message. Today’s Gospel reading takes place at the Last Supper. The Apostles have spent three years with Christ, yet Philip tells Him that if He shows them the Father, that will be enough for them. “How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? 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 because of the works themselves” (John 14:9-11).
The next day, Jesus would die. Philip and James, like the others except for John, would desert Him. Yet after His Resurrection, Jesus appeared to the Apostles and offered them His mercy – and the continuation of His mission. They would go on to bring the Good News of salvation to the world. And, like almost all the others, St. Philip and St. James would suffer the death of martyrs for their faith in the Lord they loved and served.
Suggested missionary action: We can pray to SS. Philip and James asking them to look after the welfare of missionaries around the world. And we can also pray that those who do not yet know our Savior will open their hearts to Him.
