Tag: Feast of Saints Philip and James

Saturday of the Fifth Week of Easter

From the Gospel acclamation: “If then you were raised with Christ, seek what is above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.”

A reading from the holy Gospel according to John (Jn 15:18-21)

Jesus said to his disciples: “If the world hates you, realize that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, the world would love its own; but because you do not belong to the world, and I have chosen you out of the world, the world hates you.”

Today’s Gospel conveys Jesus’ warning to his disciples about the coming persecution they will face because of his name. Because the world rejects Jesus, it will reject the disciples. Because the disciples do not belong to the world since Jesus has chosen them out of the world for his kingdom, the world that would otherwise love them because they belong to it hates them. “And they will do all these things to you on account of my name,” Jesus tells them, “because they do not know the one who sent me.” Unaware or unbelieving of God the Father, the world rejects Jesus and his message and a true understanding of God. Have I—or, rather, how often do I—go with the world and choose it over the Kingdom of God?

God, free me from the lure of deceptions the world offers and help me trust in your kindness and faithfulness. Jesus says that the world will hate me and persecute me on account of his name. In your mercy, Lord, grant me the courage needed to face the hatred of the world when I speak your name or do anything in your name. Free from the world and its ignorance, help me know you, Father, as the one who sent your only-begotten Son “so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life.” Choose me out of the world, Lord, to remain in your word for the sake of your glory.

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.

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.