Daily Catholic Lectio. Sat, 3 May ’25. Apostles are Our Bridges

Daily Catholic Lectio

Sat, 3 May ‘25

Saint Philip and James the Minor, Apostles, Feast

1 Corinthians 15:1–8. John 14:6–14

Apostles are Our Bridges

Today, our Holy Mother Church rejoices in celebrating the feast of two apostles — Saint Philip and Saint James the Less.

According to tradition, Saint Philip preached the Gospel in Greece, Syria, and Phrygia. His call is recorded in the Gospel of John. His hometown was Bethsaida, the same town from which Andrew and Peter hailed, linking them through shared roots. When John the Baptist pointed to Jesus saying, “Behold the Lamb of God,” Philip was likely already one of John’s disciples. It was Philip who brought Nathanael, also called Bartholomew, to Jesus. He was the one who asked Jesus, “How are we to feed five thousand?” and who said, “We have only two loaves.” It was he who brought the Greeks who wished to see Jesus to Andrew (see John 12:21). And it was Philip, during the Last Supper, who said to Jesus, “Show us the Father, and that will be enough.” Thus, in John’s Gospel, Philip stands as a significant figure.

A text titled The Gospel of Philip was unearthed through archaeological findings. Another non-canonical work, The Letter of Peter to Philip, presents Peter writing to Philip, asking him to come to the Mount of Olives and join the other apostles. This suggests that Philip may have initially begun preaching independently after the Resurrection, and Peter invites him back. The Acts of Philip is yet another text detailing his missionary labours. One tradition claims Philip was crucified, while another says he was beheaded.

Interestingly, the crucifix that we use in the Latin Church was first shaped by Philip. In some depictions, the cross Philip holds includes images of two loaves.

Saint James the Minor is referred to as “Minor” to distinguish him from James the Major. James the Major is called the son of Zebedee, while James the Minor is the son of Alphaeus, as mentioned in the Gospels. Saint Jerome identifies James the Minor as the “brother of the Lord.” Some also call him the brother of Matthew, since Matthew’s father too is named Alphaeus (see Mark 2:14, 3:18).

What do the saints we celebrate today teach us?

(a) The apostles are bridges between Jesus and us. We see Jesus through their eyes and touch Him through their hands. Just as they are bridges to us, we are bridges to the generations after us. We are extensions of the apostles’ faith.

(b) Philip, the conversationalist. Philip comes across as someone honest in speech and persuasive through his dialogue. Conversation is an art. Those who speak less and listen more excel at it. Philip invites us today to speak meaningfully and listen deeply.

(c) The point of no return. The apostles were willing to lay down their lives for the faith and for the experience they had of Jesus. They never turned back to their former lives. In our own journey of faith and in our divine calling, such unwavering commitment is good.

Fr. Yesu Karunanidhi

Archdiocese of Madurai

Missionary of Mercy