The Holy and All-Praiseworthy Apostle Philip
1 Corinthians 4:9-16; John 1:43-51
Polyeleos Feast.
Read 1 Corinthians 4:9-16
As we embark upon the Nativity Fast tomorrow preparing to greet Jesus at his birth, let us reflect on the feast of the Holy Apostle Philip and remember what it means to be an apostle. In today’s epistle, the Holy Apostle Paul urges us to be his imitators? What are we supposed to imitate? We are to accept Christ and his Gospel as Paul, Philip, and all of the apostles did at the dawn of the Church’s ministry to the world. To do this we are called to seize those opportunities that come to us in our daily lives to proclaim the salvation in Jesus Christ, not only in our actions but also in our words. Both forms of proclamation are equally important. Just as Philip does when he instructs the Ethiopian eunuch in the truth of who Christ is (Acts 8:26-40), we too must be able to respond to people when they ask us who Jesus is and why we have faith in his resurrection.
Let us pray to God that he gives us the wisdom to recognize those opportunities and that he sends the Holy Spirit to give us the words for those moments of encounter. Just as Ethiopia danced for joy at the coming of the Gospel, let us work and pray earnestly that this joyful dance is renewed in our time and in our land.
O Philip, proclaimer of God’s word, the world is adorned and Ethiopia dances for joy for it is arrayed in beauty as with a crown. Enlightened by you it feasts your memory. For you taught all to believe in Christ, finishing the course of the Gospel as is right. And so, Ethiopia boldly lifts up its hands to God. Pray to Him to grant great mercy to us.