Ss. Philip and James

From what little we know of either Philip or James, we know that Philip was from Bethsaida, and was called by Jesus separately. James is the son of Alphaeus, and is referred to as Jams the less. It is Philip brings Nathaniel to Jesus, and James who will be the Bishop of Jerusalem. The letter of James gives us some insight of the early Church, and guidance in our Church today. While we do not have a great deal of biographical or theological background on either Philip or James, it is important to recognize that these are the Apostles, the first followers of Jesus.

The Second Vatican Council's decree on the missionary activity of the Church, ponders for us that the apostles were the "Seeds of the new Israel," called to be with Jesus as his disciples, and preachers of the word. The apostles were the foundation of the Church as the sacrament of salvation. In 1987 Pope John Paul called to mind that the task of proclaiming the Gospel belongs to all of us. He stated, "The Gospel, and together with it the salvific power of Christ's redemption, is addressed to every person in every nation ... To be Christian means to proclaim this message untiringly in every generation."

Philip and James begin the legacy of proclaiming and witnessing the Good News. They share with their hearers all that they 'have seen and heard.' Baptism, confirmation, and Eucharist makes us one in this task. Last week I spent a few days away. We drove up to Sinsinawa where some Dominican Sisters have a mother-house. These are the same Sisters I had in grade school. It always strikes me how few of the Sisters are "known" outside of this community. There are no great theologians or mystics here. But what an impact each of these woman had on a multitude of children.

We are not striving to have our pictures on holy cards but to live faithful lives. We never really know who we are going to influence, or even how. We rely on the Spirit to teach us and to guide us. We are simply clay pots in which the Father plants something beautiful.