Today as we celebrate the feast of St James and St Philip we are reminded that like them we too are chosen, just like these holy men by our Lord’s perfect love. And He gave them eternal glory and He offers us the same.
We must believe in the Gospel truths, that having died for our sins, Jesus rose from the dead so that we too might rise with Him in His eternal glory. And our believing is shown in the way we live our lives to glorify Him. By our love for Him and for one another. For Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” Matt 25:40 and again “‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.” And in today’s Gospel it is clear whatever we do or don’t do for our brothers and sisters not only directly affects our relationship with Jesus but also with God our Heavenly Father. Can we then continue to turn a blind eye and deaf ear to those in need of our help?
Abba Father forgive me my many shortcomings. Help me overcome them, so that I may strengthen my relationship with You, and by Your love may I tend to my sisters and brothers according to Your will for me. Through Your Son, my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen
Saints Philip and James, Apostles Pray for us
First reading
1 Corinthians 15:1-8 ·
The Lord appeared to James, and then to all the apostles
Brothers, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, the gospel that you received and in which you are firmly established; because the gospel will save you only if you keep believing exactly what I preached to you – believing anything else will not lead to anything.
Well then, in the first place, I taught you what I had been taught myself, namely that Christ died for our sins, in accordance with the scriptures; that he was buried; and that he was raised to life on the third day, in accordance with the scriptures; that he appeared first to Cephas and secondly to the Twelve. Next he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers at the same time, most of whom are still alive, though some have died; then he appeared to James, and then to all the apostles; and last of all he appeared to me too; it was as though I was born when no one expected it.
Gospel
John 14:6-14
To have seen me is to have seen the father
Jesus said to Thomas:
‘I am the Way, the Truth and the Life.
No one can come to the Father except through me.
If you know me, you know my Father too.
From this moment you know him and have seen him.’
Philip said, ‘Lord, let us see the Father and then we shall be satisfied.’
‘Have I been with you all this time, Philip,’ said Jesus to him ‘and you still do not know me?
‘To have seen me is to have seen the Father,
so how can you say, “Let us see the Father”?
Do you not believe
that I am in the Father and the Father is in me?
The words I say to you I do not speak as from myself:
it is the Father, living in me, who is doing this work.
You must believe me when I say
that I am in the Father and the Father is in me;
believe it on the evidence of this work, if for no other reason.
I tell you most solemnly,
whoever believes in me
will perform the same works as I do myself,
he will perform even greater works,
because I am going to the Father.
Whatever you ask for in my name I will do,
so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
If you ask for anything in my name,
I will do it.’
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