Popularity is not a sign of faithfulness (HOMILY FOR WEDNESDAY OF THE 4TH WEEK OF EASTER (STS. PHILIP AND JAMES) MAY 2023
HOMILY FOR WEDNESDAY OF THE 4TH WEEK OF EASTER, (STS. PHILIP AND JAMES) 1Cor.15:1-8; Ps.19; John 14:6-14 Popularity is not a sign of faithfulness Today, we celebrate the feast of St Phillip and St. James – apostles of Jesus Christ; we are presented with two great men who not only used their time, talent and treasure to bear witness to the gospel, but also their very lives. They are martyrs. One thing that is common about these two martyrs is that little is known about them. According to John’s gospel, Philip came from Bethsaida. Before the feeding of the multitude, it was him that Jesus asked how they should buy bread for the crowd. It was also him who persuaded Nathaniel to come and see Jesus. Tradition has it that after Pentecost, he went to preach the gospel in Asia Minor. He suffered martyrdom by crucifixion at Hierapolis in Phrygia. James was the Son of Alphaeus, a brother of Jude Thaddaeus and a cousin to Jesus. The mother, Mary of Clopas was a sister of the Blessed Virgin Mary. ...