DAILY HOMILIES #Philip

The Ethiopian Eunuch must have prayed for insight, and God sent Philip to him. When Philip asked if he understood his reading, the eunuch was humble enough to admit: “How can I unless someone guides me?” This story teaches us that the Bible alone is not enough. The Bible is just one leg of a tripod; the other two are Sacred Tradition (which existed before the compilation of the Bible) and the Magisterium (the church’s teaching authority). The Bible contains God’s word, yet without the other legs of the tripod, we cannot fully benefit from it.

Learn to embrace change and avoid shortcuts; if your path requires you to walk through hell, walk as though you own the place. Remember, “Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning.”(Psalm 30:5). Jesus says: “When they persecute you in one town, flee to the next; for truly, I say to you, you will not have gone through all the towns of Israel before the Son of man comes.” (Matthew 10:23).

Today, we celebrate two gallant soldiers of Christ, Saints Philip and James, who fought not with guns and armoured tanks but with righteous deeds and the proclamation of the Gospel. Philip and James fought to defend the Christian Faith to their last breath, willingly offering their lives for the convictions they held dearly. Philip was born at Bethsaida and started as a disciple of John the Baptist. After the Baptist’s death, he followed Christ. James, the son of Alphaeus, is called “James the Less” to distinguish him from James, the son of Zebedee.

The way and manner in which we become converted vary. Some people’s conversions were rather dramatic, some not so. The “how” is not so important. What matters is that at some point in our lives, we become true Christians, true followers of Jesus, and fully convinced about Jesus. And one way we know we are converted is when we stop being shy about spreading the Good News.

The miracle of the loaves keeps happening each time the little is broken. It was a miracle in motion. The more they broke apart, the more the loaves increased. Until we break that little, we will never know how much it is. Never assume you are too small or that you can’t do much. Help one person today. Break a little from your little and watch what happens.

Philip was born at Bethsaida and started as a disciple of John the Baptist. After the Baptist’s death, he followed Christ. James, the son of Alphaeus, is called “James the Less” to distinguish him from James, the son of Zebedee. James, “the brother of the Lord”, ruled the Church at Jerusalem, wrote an epistle, led an austere life and converted many Jews to the Faith. He was crowned with martyrdom in the year 62

There is more to the Bible than meets the eye. Taking the printed text at face value could confuse you, like the crowds in today’s Gospel passage. The Ethiopian Eunuch must have prayed for insight, and God sent Philip to him. When Philip asked if he understood his reading, the Eunuch was humble enough to admit, “How can I unless someone guides me?”

Today’s first reading narrates the great persecution that arose against the church following the death of Stephen. This persecution, though distant in time, echoes the challenges we face in our own lives. During his stoning, the witnesses laid their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul, who became determined to wipe out the entire church. However, this reading concludes on a positive note: “So there was much joy in that city.” (Acts 8:8).

If married couples were to love each other like Jesus loved us and died for us, our world would be a happier place. Love is not about what you get from others but what you are willing to give. To love someone is committing to improving their lives physically and spiritually.

As we celebrate the feast of St. Bartholomew, let us take some moments to recall our conversion experience. How did you come to know Jesus? What convinced you that Jesus is God? Have you had a one-on-one encounter with Jesus? Are you holding on to your confession of faith in Jesus like Bartholomew, who described Jesus as the Son of God and the King of Israel?

Truly, when our desire to know God increases in our hearts when we are open to His Word and make efforts to read the Bible, we should bear in mind that such actions do not go unnoticed in heaven. God takes note of every firm resolution we make.

Don’t give up on God when the going becomes tough. Those fighting you now may just be pushing you to your destined glory. They may even be making things easy for you indirectly.