Monday, May 3
Feast of Saints Philip and James
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, you will know my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.’
Philip said to him, ‘Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and you still do not know me? 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 say to you I do not speak on my own; but the Father who dwells in me does his works. Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; but if you do not, then believe me because of the works themselves. Very truly, I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do and, in fact, will do greater works than these, because I am going to the Father. I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If in my name you ask me for anything, I will do it.
Introductory Prayer: Father, how empty is the life that doesn’t know the joy of Jesus your Son. I have come to scripture, reflection and prayer today to know you and your Son better, to love you more and to imitate your perfections. Amen
- Today is the feast of two apostles, St Philip and James (and that is why the gospel, proper for the feast, is the same as that of last Saturday). I thank God for these two men, and for their companions, for it is thanks to them that I have received the faith in Jesus. They looked so weak, so fractious and unstable, yet they were the ones Jesus chose to take his teaching to all nations. What is even more amazing is that they did carry out their mission, so that Jesus is known the world over. I can only be deeply grateful.
I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. I ask myself how central is Jesus in my spiritual life, how strong is my desire to know him better so that I can love him more and follow him as the only way to the Father.