May 3 ~ Sts. Philip & James

CHARITY is sharing the Good News with others

Rather, blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it. 
~ Luke 11:28

James is sometimes referred to as St. James “the Lesser,” to distinguish him from St. James “the Greater,” who was also an apostle and the brother of St. John, James’ brother.  St. Jude was also an apostle, and their mother Mary was a close relative of the Blessed Virgin; for that reason, James was sometimes called the brother (cousin) of the LORD.  But James’ holiness came not from being related to Jesus in a biological way, but in a spiritual one – and this is a relationship Our LORD offers to every one of His followers.
When Jesus called Philip as an apostle, his first impulse was to share the news with his friend, Nathanael, describing Jesus as “the One of Whom Moses spoke” (John 1:43-49).  At the Last Supper, it was Philip who asked Jesus to show them the Father (John 14:8-9); he, like the other disciples, was slow to realize the union between God the Father and Christ.  But Philip’s example reminds us that, as Good News, the Gospel is meant to be shared with others; every Christian is called to evangelize in one way or another.  ~ J.M. Guerin

Do we hear the Good News at every council meeting and how are we sharing it with others?

Be bold and mighty forces will come to your aid.~ Basil King