Brothers and sisters in Christ, may the good Lord give you peace. Today we gather to celebrate the Feast of Saints Philip and James, two of the Lord’s chosen apostles. As we reflect on their lives and the Gospel readings today, I want to invite us to focus on the central figure of our faith: Jesus Christ himself. Because, ultimately, everything we do and believe hinges on who Jesus is, his unity with the Father, and how we are called to share in that unity.
First, let’s briefly distinguish between the two Jameses we hear about in Scripture. There’s James, son of Zebedee—often called “James the Greater”—one of the inner circle with Peter and John. He was present at key moments like the Transfiguration and was the first apostle to suffer martyrdom. Then there’s James, the brother of Jesus, to whom this feast is dedicated, alongside Saint Philip. When Scripture refers to James as “the brother of Jesus,” it is important to clarify that this does not mean a blood brother in the literal sense. First off, our Blessed Mother only had one child, Jesus our Lord. Secondly, in the context of Scripture and Jewish tradition, “brother” often meant a close relative or kin—possibly a cousin or a relative from the broader family so that almost all experts indicate James as being a relative and not a biological sibling in the way we think of siblings today.
This James, known as James the Just, became a leader in the Jerusalem community and is traditionally believed to be the author of the Epistle of James. Both Jameses, in their own way, show us what faithful discipleship looks like: unwavering dedication to Jesus, humility, and perseverance, even in the face of suffering or misunderstanding. Their lives remind us that following Christ is a journey rooted in love and trust.
Now, in today’s first reading from Saint Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians, we are reminded of the core message of the Gospel: that Christ died for our sins, was buried, and was raised on the third day. These truths are the foundation of our salvation. Paul emphasizes that the apostles, including Philip and James, are witnesses to the risen Lord. They testify to the reality of Jesus’ victory over sin and death because they saw it with their own eyes, heard it with their own ears, and experienced it just as truly and tangibly as one would experience a friend sitting with them over a coffee.
And in the Gospel from John, Jesus clearly states, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” Jesus reveals that to see him is to see the Father—an extraordinary statement about the unity between Jesus and the Father. Philip’s request to see the Father shows a desire for understanding, but Jesus responds that seeing him is seeing the Father—because he and the Father are one.
So, what does this mean for the successors of the apostles, especially for the cardinals who are spending these days before the opening of the conclave, discerning together the signs of the times and the good of the entire Church moving forward? It means we must keep our focus on Jesus at all times. Our mission is to guide others to the Lord—to point people to the way, the truth, and the life that is Jesus Christ. When we are united in purpose, humility, and love, we reflect the divine fellowship that exists within the Trinity.
May the example of Saints Philip and James inspire us to remain steadfast, humble, and united in our faith, so that Christ’s glory may shine through us and draw many to the Father’s love. Most Holy Mary, Mother of All the Living, pray for us who have recourse to thee. God bless you.
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