Feast of SS. Philip and James

May3, 2003

Once again as we did for the Evangelist Mark, last week, we interrupt the continuous cycle of reading so today we will not hear in the Acts how the deacon Philip picking up a hitchhiker began reading the scriptures and ultimately the Ethiopian asked:

What is to keep me from being baptized? In the gospel of John for today: Jesus says: No one can come unless the Father who sent me draws him. The text implies that whoever comes seeking, comes not of his own accord, but drawn by the Father; and everyone who has heard the Father and believes has eternal life.

In the passage which we just read it seems as though being baptized for eternal life is not the end. These two apostles spent three years traveling with Jesus, spending so much time their lives were radically changed, their assumptions challenged and their wildest dreams fulfilled.

Yet even with all the time they spent with Jesus, Philip and James and the others still had more to learn. Philip is taken to task in today’s gospel. After all this time, do you not yet know me? What would be prepared to answer if Jesus asked that question of us?

Getting to know someone takes a long time, and the knowing cannot be forced. It happens over time and through love. It would take time for Philip to come to know just how close Jesus was to him. Even after Jesus ascended and sent His Spirit, the apostles would spend untold hours comparing their experiences, sharing their life stories, doing their twelfth step.

They would share how Jesus was a living power within them. In prayer and seeking continued guidance and revelation we find in the first reading today one of the earliest creeds. In his first Letter to the Corinthians Paul says: I am handing on to you what I have first of all myself received. That Christ died for our sins and was buried, rose from the dead and was seen by Cephas (that is Peter), by several hundred others and by James, the local bishop of Jerusalem until he was beheaded, last of all by me, born out of the normal course -- that is to say not one who had been part and witness to the historical events of Jesus life—yet nonetheless called.

Tomorrow we return to Acts and for the rest of the remaining 50 days. We hear Paul’s life story of struggles and surprises and spontaneous victories. What is important for Paul and for all of us is recognizing that of the normal course, God is drawing, God is calling, God is inviting. And the first and only thing that I can do is to R.S.V.P. -- to respond to the invitation -- to respond s’il vous plait -- to respond if you will.

Without the graciousness of that response, as I said the other day there is no place to go. It’s like walking into a road block; walking round and round the mountain but never getting to the top. Getting to know the Lord as these men did (and countless others) is not impossible. Developing that relationship is a two way street.

Letting God know you and allowing him to fashion you in his wisdom and getting to know God, trusting in his power and love for you. It all takes time and faith, and prayer asking the Lord to be generous to us in both.