Gospel: John 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.”
The Gospel of the Lord.
The Mass intention is for OL – Danny McSorley RIP
Reflection:
Today’s feast commemorates the Apostles Philip and James. Both Apostles share this feast since ancient times. In Rome, they shared the patronage of the Basilica of the Twelve Apostles where their remains are kept. Like Peter and Andrew, Philip came from Bethsaida in Galilee. James was the son of Alphaeus and is called “the Lesser” to distinguish him from James, son of Zebedee. Tradition has it that Philip was crucified while James was stoned and hit by a club on the head.
In today’s Gospel, Philip asks Jesus to show him the Father “and that will be enough for us.” In exasperation, Jesus asks Philip, “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 Lord explained that the Father works in and through Jesus. Jesus did not come and minister to people on His own. He was sent by the Father. That is why He said, “Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me”. By believing in Jesus, Philip and James became receptive of God’s gift of holiness and apostolate. Through their receptivity, they were able to do and continue the works of Jesus.
- How does Jesus lead you to the Father?
- How receptive are you of God’s gift of holiness and apostolate?
- What holds you back from completely believing in Jesus?
Lord Jesus, thank You for Your Word today. Through the prayers and example of Saints Philip and James, transform our doubtful hearts into receptive ones so that the Father may dwell and work in and through us. In Your Name, we pray. Amen.
(Pietro)
