Father Rick’s Three Minute Homily for Feast of Saints Phillip and James Apostles. 2022– 05-03-2022

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/050322.cfm

A LINK TO JESUS.

Standing at the altar, I see so many people I have gotten to know personally. They all have a faith story. Some stories are strong in faith. Others have their rough edges, and some have come back home, like the Prodigal Son. Yet, a common thread through all these stories is the way God works in us – through the everyday events of our lives.

We are all influenced by the words and actions of other people. This is true for great saints like Phillip and James, whom we honor today. Jesus called Andrew and Peter to follow Him. Next in line was Phillip. James wrote his letter in the New Testament and pastored the first church in Jerusalem. That’s all we know about them.

What is most important is what they did that counted. They shared their love for Jesus; what they thought and felt about Him. And from personal experience of Jesus, they taught people who were hungry for the Lord.

We have it the other way around today. We often approach people with a teaching in mind to set them straight. However, communion with another person in the Lord begins when we share “our story” with them; how we came to know Jesus personally. Did someone introduce Him to us by sharing their story of faith? Did He bring us through a struggle?

Go to the Lord in prayer and talk to Him about you and Him. You will be surprised how revealing it will be to you. And it will surprise you how present Jesus is to you throughout the day.

Someone is waiting to hear that story.

IGNITE THE FIRE!   

Fr. Rick Pilger, IC   
www.bscchurch.com