Homily: Feast of the Apostles Philip and James
Feast of the Apostles Philip and James (John 14:1-6) “Show Us What God Looks Like.”
Philip and James are two of the lesser-known apostles. James does not speak in the Gospels. Philip is quoted several times. He speaks, for example, in the Gospel of John (6:5-7). He wonders how Jesus will feed a vast crowd with only two hundred denarii worth of food. He seems to be the practical voice that is always looking for clarification.
His most famous line in the Gospel of John is at the last supper. He asks Jesus to show the apostles the Father. Jesus responds with a statement that is very thought provoking. He says, “When you have seen me you have seen the Father.”
We have a sense as Christian people that there is a trinity of persons in God. We can give each one of the three persons a different personality. God the Father is the all-powerful. We equate him with the Old Testament descriptions of God.
God is seen in the Old Testament as kind of mercurial at times. God can be very gentle. But God can be very harsh. Moses, for example, does not listen to God’s instructions and follow them to the letter and he is not allowed to enter the promised land. We see God order whole armies to be slaughtered. Is this how God operates?
We also see God when he interacts with Abraham. God treats Abraham as a friend. Abraham challenges God. Abraham even laughs at God with disbelief, but God never gets angry with Abraham though.
Is our God an angry God? Is our God a friend we can trust. People had a lot of questions about God. Jesus says, “When you have seen me you have seen God.” Most of us are comfortable with Jesus. He is compassionate towards the sick and the sinner and those who struggle with doubt. Jesus wants everyone to inherit the Kingdom.
The Apostles found out what God was like by striking up a relationship with Jesus. Philip trusted Jesus because he knew him. Philip learned to trust God because of Jesus. Philip trusted God so much he was willing to die for his faith. He was able to do so because he had seen God’s face, the face of Jesus.
Reflection Questions:
1. Which person of the Trinity am I most comfortable with? Why?
2. Do I believe that Jesus is like God? What does that say about God?
Dear Parishioners,
The Illinois tax credit scholarship has been a big help to our Catholic Schools. Seton school and Alleman have received thousands of dollars. This is a way of donating to Catholic Schools and taking the money off your tax bill. The law that brought this tax credit about needs to be renewed. We need parishioners to contact their state legislators and to encourage them to extend the tax credit.
If you would like to help, please go to the Catholic Conference of Illinois Website at www.ilcatholic.org or call the Springfield office (217-528-9200. They will put you in touch with your elected official and give a message you can send.
May our Lady Pray for the protection of our children today.
Fr. Mark