It is 3rd May 2017. We celebrate the Feast of Saints Philip and James, the Apostles. The feast of these two apostles St. Philip and St. James is celebrated together because of the church dedicated to them in Rome (which is now called the Church of the Twelve Apostles). These two apostles offer two types of spiritual lives. For the missionary aspect from St. Philip and the community aspect from St. James. St. Philip brought the others to Jesus and St. James connected one another by settling issues. In our search for the Truth, the Life and the Way, we need to imbibe the spirit and dedication of these apostles to be missionary as well as to be the builders of the communities. Jesus called St. Philip personally (Jn.1:45) He is the one who asked Jesus to show the Father (Jn.14:8). Even Jesus tested his faith personally by asking about how to feed the multitude. (Jn.6:6). While, we do know very little of St. James. James, son of Alphaeus, is also known as James the Lesser. St. James was a cousin of our Lord. We read in the entrance antiphon, “These are the holy men whom the Lord chose in his own perfect love; to them he gave eternal glory.” The readings are from 1Corinthians 15:1-8; and the Gospel from John 14:6-14. In St. Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians, he mentions the key events in the life of Jesus: Christ suffered for our sins, died, and was raised up is the synopsis to the gospel message. St. Paul presents the appearances of the Risen Lord to many believers and among them St. James and Paul himself. The responsorial Psalm praises, “Their message goes out through all the earth.” (Ps.19:5). The Gospel describes the personal encounter of St. Philip and his deep longing to see the Father. Longing to see our creator God is in each one of us. “Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else, believe because of the works themselves.” (Jn.14:11). Jesus invites us all along with the apostle, to have the vision of the Father in Him personally and in His healing activity that happens every day in our lives. Our faith in Jesus is the prerequisite to have the vision of the Father in Jesus. Having experienced the Way, the Truth and the Life in Jesus, we have a personal responsibility to pass on the love of Jesus through our humble service to the suffering humanity. In all our missionary activities of spreading the love of the Lord, let us build the communities we belong. May the God bless you. Have a fruitful day.