Saints Philip and James, Apostles
1 Corinthians 15:1-8  +  John 14:6-14
May 3, 2017

“‘Whoever has seen me has seen the Father.’”

Today is the feast of two apostles, Philip and James.  The Scriptures for this feast highlight that the Church’s foundation is apostolic.  However, the role of the apostles is not limited to the Church’s beginning.

Those ordained to the office of bishop continue to carry out the work first entrusted to the apostles.  It’s true that each and every member of the Church has a vocation that is missionary in nature.  The word “apostle” literally means “one who is sent”.  Every Christian is called to “go outside himself” and share with others the natural and supernatural gifts he has received.  Most Christians do this chiefly through family life, and in the secular workplace. Continue reading →

St. Athanasius, Bishop & Doctor of the Church
Acts 7:51—8:1  +  John 6:30-35
May 2, 2017

“Now Saul was consenting to his execution.”

Each of us needs to ask:  “Has my passive consent to another’s sin ever ‘dis-abled’ God’s Will in the world?”  In artistic portraits of the martyrdom of Saint Stephen, it’s interesting to look for Saint Paul.  Though his passivity stands in stark contrast to the violence with which others are stoning Stephen, his figure in the portrait is still arresting.  Our eyes are drawn to him, perhaps because we can identify with him more than with the cruel murderers. Continue reading →