THE WORD AND THE SAINTS
May 3, 2021: Celebrating Apostles Philip and James1 Corinthians 15:1-8; John 14:6-14
The Feast today, nominating the names of the Apostles we celebrate in the Gospel, calls our attention to their personalities and the way they were transformed by their attachment to Christ: James and Philip.
The James we speak of here is not James the son of Zebedee, the one who was among the closest three namely, Peter, James and John! This James we celebrate today is the son of Alphaeus, who is referred to for the sake of differentiating, as James the lesser or James the minor! Though that term is odd, it brings out the fact that he was among the less prominent bunch of the Apostles but however he was one of the 12 pillars and Jesus appeared to him!
Philip is seen in the Gospel today inducing Jesus to make some intense pronouncements about himself and the Father! Philip is also seen in two other places - at the scene of multiplication of the bread and the later when some Greeks wish to see Jesus. He seems to have been a very effective PRO to Jesus, in modern terms.
The Feast can communicate three realities that can help our faith communities today.
1: That differences are natural when a group of persons are involved. The differences are not only inevitable but they are beautiful to paint a holistic picture. The more we begin to appreciate the differences and marvel at them, the more mature we grow! Differences enrich the mature, while they threaten the small-minded.
2: That differences do not mean division, or comparison or envy. That Philip and James and some others were not so prominent, never caused a rift among the apostles. They were able to live united in the Lord. Though at times we find the human tendency among the apostles to secure prominence for themselves, the Jesus-factor among them, that is, the presence of Jesus every time checked their tendency and brought them to right perspective. When Jesus has a strong place beside us, these human tendencies cannot destabilise us.
3. Each one has a specific call within the entire design of God and when one fails to play his role, however little and insignificant it could be, there is a lack in the whole! What each of us is called to, is understand the fundamental identity we have in Christ, accept the challenges in our mission and grow to be truly apostles of Christ - taking Christ to a world that is so hurt and tired, so stricken and sad!
The message is clear: avoid comparisons; avoid envy; realise the one call and remain united in the Lord! That is the only way you can remain in God and remind the world of God!