St. Philip and St. James, Apostles

Isaiah 30:18–21
Ephesians 2:19–22
John 14:1–14

St. Philip and St. James, Apostle

“Lord, show us the Father.” Philip did not yet recognize that the Father is glorified in the Son. In His name we have access to the Father, for they are one. Jesus is “the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through [Him],” and whoever believes in Him will do the works He does and greater (John 14:6–13). And so Philip and James did; the “household of God” is built on the apostles, with Christ as her chief cornerstone (Eph. 2:19–22). The beloved words of Jesus from today’s Gospel were the words of their “Teacher,” echoing in their ears as they walked in His way (Is. 30:20–21). And so their hearts were not troubled (John 14:1) as they ate “the bread of adversity and the water of affliction” (Is. 30:20). Philip, who in John’s Gospel brings Jews and Greeks to Jesus, is said to have journeyed to Phrygia where he was martyred. James “the Younger” (son of Alphaeus, whose mother Mary was at the crucifixion) is said to have died by being sawn in half. Where Christ is, they also are, and so shall we be (John 14:3).