TODAYS REFLECTION Feast of Saints Philip and James, Apostles, TUES MAY 3

TODAYS REFLECTION Feast of Saints Philip and James, Apostles, TUES MAY 3 ( 1Cor 15:1-8, Jn 14:6-14 )
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Friends, the essence of Christianity, and what makes it distinct from Judaism and other religions, is the personal knowledge of God as our Father. Jesus makes it possible for each of us to personally know God as our Father. To see Jesus is to see what God is like. In Jesus we see the perfect love of God, a God who cares intensely and who yearns over men and women, loving them to the point of laying down his life for them upon the Cross. Further Jesus promises that God the Father will hear our prayers when we pray in his name.

In the gospel still, Jesus was discouraged because of the lack of knowledge of him by his apostles, it is possible that we go to Church hear the word of God and still do not know Christ. If the apostles didn't know Him, then how can we know Him? "The way we can be sure of our knowledge of Him is to keep His commandments" (1 Jn 2:3). If we tell ourselves, I have known Him, without keeping His commandments," we are self-deceived (1 Jn 2:4). Consequently, we need to spend more time reading His Word and making it our home (Jn 8:31).

May we imitate Jesus like James and Philip who gave their lives for Christ, holding nothing back. But it took time for them to grow in faith and confidence in Jesus. This is a significant witness for our lives. Jesus saw the weakness of Philip, addressed it, but continued to love him and continued to call him down the path chosen for him. Jesus does the same with each one of us. As the Lord never gave up on them may He give up on you. May Saints Philip and James pray for us.