Saint Philip and Saint James, Apostles

The Collect
Almighty God, who gave to your apostles Philip and James grace and strength to bear witness to the truth: Grant that we, being mindful of their victory of faith, may glorify in life and death the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

The Psalm
119:33-40

The Readings
Isaiah 30:18-21     +     II Corinthians 4:1-6     +     John 14:6-14

For we do not proclaim ourselves; we proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your slaves, for Jesus' sake. For it is the God who said, "Let the light shine out of darkness," who has shone in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
~II Cor. 4:5-6

In today's Gospel, during the last supper, Philip pipes up and says, "Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied." To which Jesus answers, "Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and you do not know me?" John's Gospel asserts that no one has ever seen God (John 1:18)--and yet it also asserts that to see Jesus is to see God. Even the twelve, those who lived and worked with him, his closest companions and friends, were slow to accept this astounding truth. But when that truth had fully shone on them in the resurrection, they gave their lives, even to death, to spreading the good news.

For all who have followed after them, we whose faith is based on the testimony handed down, we have not seen and yet believe (John 20:29). We who have not actually seen the face of Jesus--do we also see God? Jesus says, "If you know me, you will know my Father also; from now on you do know him and have seen him" (John 14:7). We come to know Jesus as we meet him in the loving relationship of those who today are his closest companions and friends; we meet him when we come in faith to read and hear the holy scriptures, and hear a word behind us say, This is the way--walk in it (Isaiah 30:21); we meet him through the gracious and grace-giving Spirit of God, who shines into our inmost being to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ (II Corinthians 4:6).    

Closing Prayer
Lord Jesus, thank you for coming among us in love and revealing the Father to us. Help us this day to know you better, that we might see God. Amen.