The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament proclaims his handiwork. Not a word nor a discourse whose voice is not heard. – Psalm 19:2, 4

       Our home office has a huge window in front of our desk that frames the majestic sky. It’s where I often look to for inspiration when I write.

       Oftentimes, it’s a sunny, clear, blue sky that greets me. It cheers me up. Other times, I see dark clouds rolling in to cover the sun. I see the clouds cover the sun but I know that the sun will win out in the end. When a typhoon comes, the sky is gray and weepy. I know there may be a storm now but it doesn’t last forever. At night, the sky is inky black, with hardly any visible stars. But I know that night will give way to the dawn.

       Without words, the heavens speak volumes to me.

      Most of my service to the Lord involves words — whether written or spoken. Many tell me how my books, articles or talks have impacted them. But more than those, I know that the more powerful witness I can give is the one where no words are spoken or written. When I preach with my life and my actions.

       Easy? I’d rather write a 10,000-word essay on the disambiguation of medical abbreviations.

     Necessary? Definitely. Otherwise, all my words have no meaning. Rissa Singson Kawpeng (justbreatherissa@gmail.com)

Reflection: What do you preach with your life?

Lord, may my life declare Your glory without the need for speech, words or voice.

Sts. Philip and James, Apostles, pray for us.

The Apostles Philip and James took the Gospel to the ends of the earth. They were both martyred in their missions, demonstrating the fullest commitment possible to the Gospel. How committed are we to living and proclaiming the Gospel? Are we willing to give our lives in the service of the Gospel? Let us ponder on these questions to see how committed we are to our faith.

1 I am reminding you, brothers and sisters, of the Gospel I preached to you, which you indeed received and in which you also stand. 2 Through it you are also being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you, unless you believed in vain. 3 For I handed on to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures; 4 that he was buried; that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures; 5 that he appeared to Cephas, then to the Twelve. 6 After that, he appeared to more than five hundred brothers and sisters at once, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. 7 After that he appeared to James, then to all the Apostles. 8 Last of all, as to one born abnormally, he appeared to me.

R: Their message goes out through all the earth.

1 [2] The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament proclaims his handiwork. 2 [3] Day pours out the word to day, and night to night imparts knowledge. (R) 3 [4] Not a word nor a discourse whose voice is not heard; 4 [5] through all the earth their voice resounds, and to the ends of the world, their message. (R)

GOSPEL3

Jesus tells Thomas that He is the Way, Truth and Life. It is up to us to discover how the roles of Jesus relate to us as individuals. Jesus desires to have a personal relationship with each of us. This is the beauty of Christianity — that a personal relationship with God is at the heart of the faith. Without this relationship, our faith will become dry and almost meaningless; with it, fullness of life is possible.

I am the way, the truth, and the life, says the Lord; Philip, whoever has seen me has seen the Father.

6 Jesus said to Thomas, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7 If you know me, then you will also know my Father. From now on you do know him and have seen him.” 8 Philip said to him, “Master, show us the Father, and that will be enough for us.” 9 Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you for so long a time and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? 10 Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on my own. The Father who dwells in me is doing his works. 11 Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else, believe because of the works themselves. 12 Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever believes in me will do the works that I do, and will do greater ones than these, because I am going to the Father. 13 And whatever you ask in my name, I will do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If you ask anything of me in my name, I will do it.”

think: How will you respond when someone says, “There are many ways to God”?

Read the Bible in one year Deuteronomy 1-3

T O D A Y’S BLESSING LIST

thank You, Lord, for: ______________________________________________________

STS. PHILIP AND JAMES

Today we honor two saints, both of them Apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ: Sts. Philip and James. Their relics are found together in the Church of the Twelve Apostles in Rome. For this reason they are honored together on this day of the Church’s dedication in the year 565.

       We have a special set of liturgical readings today. In the Responsorial Psalm, we say, “Their message goes out through all the earth.” It refers to the work of the Apostles. But what is strange is that it is a work not so much because of the Apostles. Perhaps it is best described as a work in spite of the Apostles.

       There is a difference between the two. If ever we can speak of what Philip and James did, it is not so much on their own merit. It is rather God’s work which shines and gives our own humble efforts their credit.

        Our Responsorial Psalm reflects our point. Even without doing anything, the heavens “declare the glory of God.” Even the mere passing of days an nights brings forth something greater than just their own ordinary efforts: “Day pours out the word to day, and night to night imparts knowledge.”

       It is the same with the works and deeds of the Apostles. Why, even the Last Supper episode featured in our Gospel passage today reveals this. The apparently “dumb” question of Philip occasioned a kind of scolding on the part of Jesus. But we also have a beautiful discourse by Jesus on His unity with the Father — quite unintended by Philip.

       Honoring Sts. Philip and James — and for that matter, honoring any of the saints — is really honoring God Almighty Himself. For it is from Him that all blessings and graces flow. Fr. Martin Macasaet, SDB

---------- REFLECTION QUESTIONS -----------

Do you dispose yourself to be God’s faithful servant? Do you also let God work through you, or in spite of you? Does your life and work bring Him honor and praise?

Dearest Lord, may I too be like Sts. Philip and James — not so much for their deeds, but simply for their humble disposition in heeding Your call. Amen.