Feast of Saints Philip and James, Apostles
Each liturgical Feast of the Apostles reminds us of the irreplaceable need to ask whether we are faithful to the faith that the apostles passed on to us, because only by professing such faith can we be sure that we will reach what is its goal, i.e., salvation.
Saint Philip was from Bethsaida, a town on the northern shore of Lake Gennesaret. The Evangelist John speaks of his calling. Philip points Jesus to Nathanael (Bartholomew), saying that He is the one that Moses and the prophets wrote about. The synoptic Gospels mention Philip on the list of the Twelve Apostles. The Gospel of John tells that in the miracle of the multiplication of the bread, he was put to the test by a question asked by Jesus. After the solemn entry into Jerusalem, Philip and Andrew enable Hellenized Jews to contact Jesus. It is also mentioned during Jesus' farewell speech.
The most interesting thing is that Philip recognizes Jesus as the Messiah: "the one Moses and the prophets wrote about." What allowed him to do this? He must have encounter Jesus very early, listening to His teachings, or he may have seen a sign, which is why he could have come to such a conclusion. We can also say that he knew the biblical texts well and searched for their understanding and fulfillment. This reference to the fulfillment of the Scriptures is very important in the personality of Philip. If I were to look for any current meaning of his figure, I would see it in this fact, the more so as today's theology pays little attention to the fact that in Jesus "the Scriptures have been fulfilled", and this is one of the important arguments for His divinity. One can speak of a "prophetic apology" here. Then also, whoever recognizes Jesus in this way, can lead others to Him, because such guidance also requires appropriate argumentation.
Philip first evangelized "in the land of the Scythians" and then come to the Asian city of Hierapolis, where he was crucified at the age of 87. His activity and martyrdom are told in the apocryphal History of Philip (end of the 4th century). Relics of St. Philip are honored at the Church of the Twelve Apostles in Rome.
James the Less belonged to the strict group of the twelve Apostles. Traditionally, beginning with Origen, he is identified with the "brother of Jesus", although this identification is rejected today. Personally, I believe that the arguments against this identification are not sufficient. Together with Peter and John, he was the "pillar" of the first community in Jerusalem. During the so-called council of Jerusalem described in the Acts of the Apostles stood out clearly by proposing a compromise proposal regarding converted non-Jews - only some Jewish regulations were to apply to them.
James the Less is credited with the authorship of one of the Catholic letters in the New Testament. It is a very important letter, of a practical nature, but not only. First of all, the statement about the meaning of "deeds" flowing from faith is like a flagship message of the Letter of St. James, which will then contribute to giving the Christian faith a proper appearance, and more precisely define the mission of the Catholic Church in history, which lives the profound conviction that " faith of itself, if it does not have works, is dead." (cf. James 2:17). It can be said that the Epistle of St. James is a letter calling to "open one's eyes" to the needs of others, in relation to which the Christian "I believe" is realized and confirmed. Already because of this statement of St. James with his message is inscribed in the faith of everyone who is authentic Christian.
The Apostles of Philip and James, like all of them, remain for us direct, special, and essential witnesses of Jesus Christ. They are like a "link" between Christ and us because our faith is based on their faith. This fact is well expressed in a sentence from our profession of faith which emphasizes that we believe in "the apostolic Church". The apostolicity of the Church is her important attribute which determines our faith. For it to be authentic, it must constantly recognize its apostolic sources and identify with them, because only in this way do we come to Christ Himself. There is no other way. Each liturgical memorial of the Apostles has the meaning that it reminds us of the irreplaceable need to ask whether we are faithful to the faith that the apostles communicated to us, because only by professing such faith can we be sure that we will reach its goal, i.e., salvation.
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
I am leaving to Europe today to continue to fulfill my Ministry;
“To Take Pilgrims to all the Holly Places connected with Our Faith
and Spread the Devotion to Divine Mercy”.
I already miss you all and miss my daily reflections to you, which is the link that
Keeps me Connected daily with you all.
I will keep you in my heart when I visit each and every one of the Holy Sanctuaries.
You have many of my daily reflections of more than two years, please re visit them and re read them, choose one that most touches you, reflect on it and write your reflections and questions, that you might have, and you can submit them to me via e mail, so we can address them When we resume our reflections upon my return.
They are all in the Institute Website at: www.timeofmercy.com, click on time of mercy blog at the top of the page.
fr. george