3 May, 2023 | Feast of Saints Philip and James, Apostles

 Gospel Jn 14:6-14

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."

Philip said to him,

"Master, show us the Father, and that will be enough for us."

Jesus said to him, "Have I been with you for so long a time

and you still do not know me, Philip?

Whoever has seen me has seen the Father.

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, believe because of the works themselves.

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."

Reflections

Our Christian faith has its historical origin in Jesus handed down to us by the Apostles through the first-hand witness of his life and mission on earth. The Church today celebrates the feast of two Apostles Philip and James. Philip was the one who introduced Nathanael to Jesus (Jn1:45). When Jesus invited Philip to follow him he immediately responded keeping in mind that whatever Jesus did corresponded well with what Moses and the prophets wrote and spoke.  James, the brother of John was one of the core groups of Jesus. He was present in most of the important moments in Jesus life. We are called to experience Jesus personally so as to understand what he is for us and in turn be his witness to the world.

Activity:

 Take initiative to be the first to do something for the mission in the church