Daily Retreat 05/03/06
2006 May 3 Wed: Philip and James, aps F
1 Cor 15: 1-8/ Ps 19: 2-3. 4-5/ Jn 14: 6-14
From todays readings: "For I handed on to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures; that He was buried; that He was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures; that He appeared to Cephas, then to the Twelve.... The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament proclaims His handiwork.... I am the way, and the truth and, the life. "
Philip and James
Philips request to Jesus ("Lord, show us the Father...") elicited a profoundly rich theological response from Christ: "Philip, after I have been with you all this time, you still do not know Me? Whoever has seen Me has seen the Father!"
The unity between Jesus and God the Father is one of the central themes in Johns Gospel, and the beautiful thing is, Christ desired ardently to share and extend that unity to His followers (cf. John chapter 17). The very purpose of the Resurrection of Christ and Descent of the Holy Spirit can be found in the Lords commitment to establishing that unity in His Church.
Philip and James, and the rest of the Apostles that witnessed the Resurrected Christ, spent their whole lives evangelizing to the world about that God-Love that defines our lives and the entire universe. Thats the Gospel that has been preached to us, which we have received, and in which we, like Philip and James, hope to always stand firm!
NB: The readings for todays feast of these two apostles replace the "regularly scheduled" lectionary selections, including the Gospel (John 6:35-40) continuation of the Lords Bread of Life discourse, which will be resumed tomorrow.
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