Feast of St. Philip and James, Apostles and Martyrs, May 3,2007

Scripture: I Cor.15:1-8. Psalm 19. John 14:6-14. Lectionary # 561

During this Easter season several feasts of Saints are celebrated. This
does not take us away from the thrust of this glorious celebration of the
Paschal Mysteries for many of these saints lived them out in their lives.
Today even moreso in the celebration of those who were the original
disciples of Jesus who were called Apostles. Jesus, of course, is the
Apostle sent by the Father, but after the Resurrection, these followers
were called to preach and witness to Jesus. They give us inspired words
recorded in today's readings that fit their lives. We focus upon Philip
and James today. I remember that Paul, in his greatest pastoral epistle,
that of I Corinthians tells us that James was among those who had
experienced the Risen Lord. He and Philip are recipients of the divinely
revealed words of Jesus, "I am the way, the truth, and the life." Jesus
thus attracts all who are open to such revelation through the gift of
faith. While our first reading tells us the foundations of our faith and
how to embrace the Paschal Mysteries that Christ died, was buried, and now
is risen from the dead. Both Philip and James came to understand this
mystery and preached it to others. Philip who is only featured in John
does not at first understand what Jesus is saying during the washing of the
feet. As Bruce Vawter says, "he does not comprehend that he must learn
that the only vision of God vouchsafed in this world is through Jesus
Christ." (Jerome Biblical Commentary, p.453). As for the Apostle James we
know of him as exercising authority in Jerusalem and suffering martyrdom
around 62 A.D. Our Psalm response helps us to appreciate the role the
apostles and disciples had, namely, proclaiming to all the world the glory
of God through the life, death, and resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ.
Amen.