HOW CAN YOU SAY, “SHOW US THE FATHER…”

THE FEAST OF SAINTS PHILIP AND JAMES.

1 Corinthians 15:1-8

1 Now I would remind you, brethren, in what terms I preached to you the gospel, which you received, in which you stand, 

2 by which you are saved, if you hold it fast–unless you believed in vain. 

3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the scriptures,4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the scriptures,5 and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve.6 Then he appeared to more than five hundred brethren at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. 

7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles.8 Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me. . 

John 14:6-14

6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but by me.7 If you had known me, you would have known my Father also; henceforth you know him and have seen him.”8 Philip said to him, “Lord, show us the Father, and we shall be satisfied.” 

9 Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and yet you do not know me, Philip? He who has seen me has seen the Father; how can you say, ‘Show us the Father? 

10 Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own authority; but the Father who dwells in me does his works.11 Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father in me; or else believe me for the sake of the works themselves.12 “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I go to the Father. 

13 Whatever you ask in my name, I will do it, that the Father may be glorified in the Son;14 if you ask anything in my name, I will do it.

MEDITATION

St PAUL WRITING to the community of Corinth reminds them of the ‘Evangelion,’ a greek word meaning Good News that is the foundation upon which their faith and belief in Christ is formed. Paul makes the point that the revelation of Christs resurrection and appearance was not witnessed by him. Notice Paul in order of priority refer firstly to Simon Bar-Jona using the greek noun Cephas meaning rock or foundation to single him out and acknowledge the primacy of the office that Christ bestowed on Peter.Mt 16:17 

Paul seeks to also demonstrate that he did not theologise or develope this teaching, but he is merely a recipient of this divine revelation that was orally passed on to him by those men who spend three years with Christ. Paul later reafirm the establishment of a bulwark,(firmanemtum);the house of God, the Church (1Tim 3:15), wherein the ‘Evangelion’ reside that was prefigured by the prophet Isaiah. Isa 26:1 The Good News was for centuries orally delivered before it was codified in book form!

THE GOSPEL READING: Our Lords answer to Thomas who appeared to not “know the way,” elicited a question from Philip that flabbergasted our Lord! We recall Philips enthusiasm when he recruited the sceptical Nathana-enal to “come and see” the one Moses foretold. We also remember the occasion when the multitude were hungry when our Lord “tested” Philip by asking him how they are to procure bread for the hungry souls! Jn 6:5 

To be sure, on the occasion of the hunger of the people Christ appealed to the Father to give the crowd heavenly bread which saw the multiplication of a few fish and loaves. Our Lord know that man is not nesseserilly hungry for food and drink that are perishable in nature. The way to heaven require supernatural food to heal and sustain us. Our Lord in a roundabout way wish to make it known to us that He will be visible present to us in the form of bread and wine that His Apostles will give to us for our sustinance in our daily walk with Him. Regrettably, some Catholics take our walk with Christ nonchalantly when we do not prepare reverantly, spiritually and prayerfully at least one hour before coming to Mass, abstaining from temporal food as taught by the Church! Sadly many ‘belivers’ have chosen a way that teaches that Christ is merely an idea or some symbol.You are cordially invited to “come and see” and follow the way of Christ whereby the Father, Son and Holy Spirit is recognized in the Holy Sacrifice of the Eucharistic Mass offered by the priest in ‘persona christi.’ 

LET US PRAY: Psalms 19:2-5

2 Day to day pours forth speech, and night to night declares knowledge.3 There is no speech, nor are there words; their voice is not heard;4 yet their voice goes out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them he has set a tent for the sun,5 which comes forth like a bridegroom leaving his chamber, and like a strong man runs its course with joy.

catholicwitnessct@gmail.com    Henry R SYLVESTER              

Note: The daily scripture readings are taken from the Roman Missal which the Catholic Church use in the daily Celebration of the Holy Eucharist throughout the world.Some weekly readings may differ because of the celebration of local feast days.