REFLECTIONS TODAY
Today we celebrate the Feast of Sts. Philip and James, two of the twelve apostles chosen and commissioned by Jesus. The James being referred to here is the son of Alphaeus (Mt 10:3; Mk 3:18; Lk 6:15). The Gospel tells of Philip requesting Jesus to show them the Father. Jesus tells Philip that whoever has seen him has already seen the Father. Jesus’ words and deeds testify to the reality that the Father is in Jesus and that Jesus is in the Father. No one has ever seen God, says the Prologue of John’s Gospel, but Jesus Christ who is the only Son of God has revealed the Father (Jn 1:18). Jesus’ revelation of the Father is strongly sustained by the very life he leads.
Jesus’ disciples are also challenged to make God known in the same way. In what way do we make God known to others? Do other people experience God’s goodness through us?
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.”
SOURCE: “365 Days with the Lord 2021,” ST. PAULS, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 632-895-9701; Fax 632-895-7328; E-mail: [email protected]; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.