Feast of Sts. Philip and James, Apostles

Today's Mass Readings

By the time that St. Paul wrote his first letter to the Corinthians around 56 AD, the young Church was exhorting its followers that salvation depended on knowing the Good News and holding fast to it. Such Good News included these things about Christ:

• Christ died for our sins
• He was buried
• He was raised on the third day
• After His resurrection, He appeared to others

These points were important for the persons who actually followed Jesus during his lifetime, including the apostles Sts. Philip and James, whose Feast the Church celebrates today. These points became part of the Apostles’ Creed, which has instructed untold numbers of believers to this day.

The fact is that it is impossible to be like Christ (to be a Christian) if we do not know Christ. And if no one can come to the Father except through Christ (and if that matters to us), then most of us have some work to do. We need to move from milk to solid food (1 Cor 3:1-2).

Reflection by Br. Jacob Kubajak, OSB