May 3 2019 - Sts. Philip and James - Steeds of God

St. Hippolytus, writing in the early third century, called the apostles “steeds of God”—“horses for God”. Hippolytus writes “For these steeds have donned the secret of holiness, carrying the word for the riders and bringing them to the goal of truth”. A horse of God! It’s a rather blunt, almost uncouth title, but a significant one, especially for the two apostles we honor today.

Literally, Philip means “friend of a horse”. And his liturgical companion, St. James, son of Alphaeus, known in the Gospels as the “brother of the Lord” depicts the role of the Christian as a sort of work horse. In the Letter of James, we hear that we must be doers of the word, not just hearers of the word. James says, faith without works is dead, and that Christians must persevere in trial. James even writes about horses: “If we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we also guide their whole bodies” so too the Christian must tame his tongue, bridle his body, with purity and wisdom.

I don’t know much about horses, but it makes sense that James highlights the importance of purity and wisdom as bridling and taming our bodies and tongues. For what we do in our bodies matters as Christians, and what we say, matters, our bodies and tongues can lead people to Christ or they can drive people from Him. The Tongue, writes James “is a restless evil, full of poison…From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. This need not be so, my brothers.”

How often do we regret our words because we do not think before we speak, we do not consider the consequences of our words, we use our tongues for gossip rather than gospel, blaming and complaining instead of encouraging and consoling.

The apostles are such great examples for us, because they have allowed the grace of Easter to truly blossom in their lives, they’ve allowed the wisdom of the Lord to order their lives, where spreading the Gospel and concern for souls is truly their first priority, even more important than preserving their own lives. Willingness to spread the Gospel like them, is, as St. Hippolytus writes, “the secret of holiness”.

Steeds for Christ. What a wonderful Easter image of our Gospel Mission. May we like the Apostles, Philip and James, be become spirited steeds of God, with tongues tamed by wisdom, bodies bridled with purity, for the carrying of the Gospel to the ends of the earth for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

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May we join the Holy Apostles in our prayer for the world and the Church.

As the Apostles witnessed to the Resurrection of the Lord, may we be his witnesses to the farthest corners of the world.

For the bishops, the successors of the apostles: That they may be courageous in stirring up the flame of faith and defending the Church from error.

For all of the sick and suffering, especially victims of natural disaster, poverty, and addiction, may they be comforted and supported by God’s healing love.

For all who long to see the face of the Father, for all our departed loved ones and all of the souls in purgatory, and for N. for whom this Mass is offered.

Incline your merciful ear to our prayers, we ask, O Lord, and listen in kindness to the supplications of those who call on you. Through Christ our Lord