Feast of Saints Philip and James, Apostles
Intention: That we may be a people of life, speaking for the dignity and needs of all people, especially the poor, the oppressed, the exploited, the misunderstood, and the forgotten.
Today’s Gospel | 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, 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.”
From the Meditation on Saint James and Saint Philip, Apostles | Saint John Baptist de La Salle
Learn from (Saint James), from his example as well as from his words, the love you must have for prayer, the great benefit it produces in you, and the attention you ought to give to this holy exercise… In your work you have a special need for zeal for the salvation of souls. Ask this earnestly of God by the intercession of Saint Philip, who will help you very much to obtain it.
Prayer
Eternal Father, Jesus taught us that to live well, we must learn to do your will. There are days when this is not easy, when our lives are a puzzle that we do not know how to put together. Help us in those moments to be still and look to see your face through our struggles and doubts. Lead us to the right paths, especially those that we might never find on our own. Open our minds and our hearts to your presence everywhere. We ask this of you who lives and reigns with your Son and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.