Our Lord chose 12 men as His apostles, the ones who would carry on His mission in the world and pass on the faith to us. We know a certain amount about the principal ones among them; others, we know almost nothing about except for their names. In between, there are three of four including the two whom the church celebrates today, Philip and James. We celebrate them because they were special friends of Jesus, and our elder brothers in our faith family. James was privileged to receive a special appearance from his risen Lord (first reading).

Philip appears a number of times by name in St John's gospel, notably in today's reading. He has an appealing character, a very friendly personality, an uncomplicated approach to life. He says things straight from the heart, and asks simple direct questions, which are in fact profound. He may not have been among Jesus' more close apostles, but Philip surely had a special and very easy friendship with Jesus. For this reason he's perhaps a good guide for us in life and a model for how we ought to speak with Jesus in our prayer. Philip should be a special friend and companion for anyone who feels shy or unworthy of approaching Jesus more closely. We should be grateful to him for making that request "Let us see the Father and then we shall be satisfied". Did Jesus' response actually satisfy him? Does it satisfy me? Did Philip understand Jesus' reply any more clearly than I do?