THEY GAVE THEIR LIVES FOR THE GOSPEL

Today we celebrate the feast of Sts Philip and James who were Apostles of Jesus. Philip who is from Galilee, was one of the first of the Apostles called by Jesus. When Jesus called him, he also went to share the good news with Nathaniel and told him that he has seen the messiah. He was therefore instrumental to the call of Nathaniel. 

St James is usually called St James the Less, to distinguish him from the other Apostle called James who is the son of Zebedee. He was a brother of St Jude Thaddeus, and he is generally called the cousin of our Lord. This is because his mother Clopas was said to be a sister of the Virgin Mary. 

Philip as we see in the gospel reading of today, was a very realistic man who asks questions to be sure and to understand. When Jesus asked him in John 6:7, of where to get bread to feed the crowd, Philip was very realistic that even if they spend 200 Denarius, it will not go anywhere for such a crowd. Today we see how he questions Jesus about where he is going, and that he should show them the Father. History has it that after the Pentecost experience, Philip went to preach the gospel in Asia minor, where he suffered martyrdom by crucifixion in Phrygia.

James became the first bishop of Jerusalem. When the early Christians were undergoing persecution and discrimination because of their faith, James wrote a letter to them to encourage them to trust in God. His letter is part of the New Testament today. He also suffered martyrdom in Jerusalem. 

We continue to ask for their intercession, that we too may be steadfast in our faith and give all of ourselves to God. Amen. 

Fr Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie, MSP.