Feast of Saints Philip and James, Apostles

From the responsorial psalm: “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament proclaims his handiwork. Day pours out the word to day; and night to night imparts knowledge.”

A reading from the holy Gospel according to John (Jn 14:6-14)

Jesus said to the disciples: “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.”

As he speaks to Thomas and Philip, Jesus teaches the disciples and anyone who hears him that a relationship with the Father begins with belief in him or belief in the works themselves. Firmly established, that belief allows us to do works greater than the works of Jesus. What does Jesus mean by that? How is that even possible? Jesus tells the disciples, “Whoever has seen me has seen the Father.” Just as Jesus moves and lives and has his being in the Father—is consubstantial with him—so Jesus dwells in us through Baptism, through his word, and in the sacraments of the Church. We don’t do anything on our own but through the gifts that spring from the unity of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Believe in Jesus, asking anything in his name; he will make it possible so that the Father may be glorified.

God, even as I consider your unlimited power to work all things for the good, I put to work your gift of reason to understand how it is I could do the works of your Son, and as he says, “greater ones than these.” I don’t question whether that is possible, but I question my own limitations. I believe; help my unbelief. Meet me where I am today, Lord, and give me the opportunity to strengthen my faith by asking for what is needed in the name of Jesus. Saints Philip and James, pray for us!

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

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