Among the crowds who had come to Jerusalem were some Greeks who professed monotheism and frequented the synagogue. These Gentiles accepted certain practices of the Mosaic Law, such as prayer, almsgiving, the Sabbath rest, and the annual pilgrimages.
Noting the reception given to Jesus on Palm Sunday, and hearing about the miracles he had performed, these men [Greek Gentiles] keenly desired to meet him and converse with him. They approached Philip, who came from Bethsaida in Galilee, a town where Jews and Gentiles mixed and mingled. He had a Greek name, and he must have understood Greek.
They said to him: “Sir, we should like to see Jesus.” (Jn 12:21) Philip consulted Andrew and they told Jesus.
St John does not tell us if Jesus granted the Gentiles their request. We would like to believe the interview was given for Jesus never rejected anybody.
He patiently instructed the Samaritan woman, heard the centurion’s prayer and praised his faith, did not resist the repeated prayer of the Canaanite woman, and he cured the Samaritan leper. We would like to think these men were the first fruits of the spread of the Christian faith in the Hellenic world. Besides, the event would give greater meaning to our Lord’s exclamation about his glorification, which also involved drawing all men to himself.
The Greeks’ request seemed to have brought to Jesus’ mind the immense fields in which the Church would reap countless souls for God’s glory. He looked beyond Andrew and Philip, and said: “Now the hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.” (Jn 12:23) For a fleeting moment, the Redeemer contemplated his triumph over Satan.
Ref: Cf Fr M Guzman, “Encounters With Christ”, 1990, pp120-21
Holy Purity
The spotless purity of John’s whole life makes him strong facing the cross. The rest of the Apostles flee fom Golgotha. He, with the Mother of Christ, remains. (St Josemaria Escrivá, “The Way”, 144)
The Christian Apostolate
St John has recorded a wonderful phrase by our Lady. At Cana she told the waiters: “Do whatever he tells you.” (Jn 2:5) It’s all about getting people to face Jesus and ask him: “Lord what do you want me to do?” (Acts 9:6)
The christian apostolate -- about an ordinary Christian living as just one more man or woman among equals -- is a great work of teaching. Through real, personal, loyal friendship, you create in others a hunger for God and you help them to discover new horizons: naturally, simply. With the example of your faith lived to the full, with a loving word which is full of the force of divine truth.
Ref: Cf St Josemaria Escrivá, “Christ is passing by”, 149
Unity among Christians
“The company of those who believed were of one heart and soul.” (Acts 4:32) These words summarize the deep unity and fraternal love of the first Christians, which attracted so much attention from their fellow citizens.
“The disciples bore testimony to the Resurrection not only with their words but also with their virtues.” (St John Chrysostom, “Homilies on the Acts of the Apostles”, 11)
Christ expressly wished this Church unity from the very start. He speaks of one Pastor (cf Jn 10:16); emphasizes the Kingdom which cannot be divided (cf Mt 12:25), of the building with a single foundation (cf Mt 16:18). This unity was always founded on the profession of one faith, observance of a single form of worship; and submission to a sole hierarchical authority, constituted by Christ.
“There is only one Church of Jesus Christ which is like a big tree into which we are all grafted. It’s a matter of a deep vital unity which is a gift from God. It is not merely, nor above all, an external unity; it is a mystery and a gift ...
“This unity then is shown around him who in each diocese has been constituted as Shepherd, the Bishop. In the universal Church it is shown around the Pope, the Successor of Peter.” (John Paul II, “Homily”, Madrid, 3 November 1982)
The unity of faith was, among the first Christians, the support of their fortitude and of the inner life which flowed over into the exterior. The same Christian life has been lived since then by very different peoples. “... they shared, experienced and transmitted one single doctrine with the same soul and the same heart and identical voice.” (St Irenaeus, “Adversus Haereses”, 1, 10, 2)
The first Christians defended this unity of theirs to the point of facing persecution and even martyrdom. The Church has always encouraged her children to watch over their precious unity and pray for it. Our Lord prayed for it at the last Supper: “that they all may be one; even as thou, Father, are in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us” (Jn 17:21).
Unity is a great benefit; we must daily implore it because “every kingdom divided against itself cannot stand” (Mt 12:25).
Ref: Cf F Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 2:349-50
Jesus reproves and instructs the two disciples
Our Lord, having drawn the prejudices and incredulity from the lips of the two disciples, severely reproves them. O foolish and slow of heart to believe in all things the prophets have spoken. (Lk 24:25)
Severe, but neither bitter nor in anger. The disciples received it with humility; without comment. They felt it was prompted by charity.
Nothing is more fatal than acquisition of bad habits. These slowly become part of ourselves and are very difficult to shake off. Habit becomes second nature. (St Augustine)
We must be vigilant about seemingly innocuous tendencies. Our directors deserve credit for spotting our omissions in time; and if necessary, reprove us before it is too late for correction.
This is a great advantage and we must appreciate it. Let us not imitate the sick man who gets angry with the surgeon, who, to cure him, is often obliged to cause him pain. Receive correction, and, as the two disciples did, without reply, humbly, gratefully, with sincere desire of amendment.
The person at fault should know he is wrong and for which he requires instruction, for correction to be of real service. This was our Lord’s way with the two disciples by explaining that the prophecies about the Messiah contradict their errors on his doctrine of self-denial and humility. He says, "Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and so to enter into his glory?" (Lk 24:26)
We clearly see the only road to eternal salvation pointed out by the Infallible Word himself: the way of the cross. Should I think myself wiser to deserve an easier way than my Master? By leading a soft life? Isn’t this absurd?
Beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted the things about him. (cf Lk 24:27) Our Lord could have enlightened them by a single ray of his grace. Why this long exposition of the prophetic writers?
To teach us that we must obtain and preserve the comprehension of doctrinal matters by diligently reading Holy Scripture and spiritual books. Is carelessness in spiritual reading the cause of our want of faith and light?
Ref: Cf "Practical Meditations" by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, pp216-8
• Grant of indulgences by Pope Calixtus III in the year 1455, to whoever visit the cathedral of Arras where a veil and girdle of Our Lady are preserved. — Andreas Herby, from the Manuscripts of the Church of Arras.) (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; www.bethlehemobserver.com)
• Our Lady of Betharam, in the diocese of Lescar, in the province of Bearn. This image was found in the year 1503 by some shepherds who, seeing an extraordinary light on the spot where the high altar of the chapel now stands, came up and found an image of Our Lady, for which they at once erected a chapel. — Triple Couronne. n. 32. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; www.bethlehemobserver.com)
• Our Lady of Betharam, France (1503). (www/divinewill.org/feastsofourlady.html); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html)
• Our Lady of Betharam (Diocese of Lescar: Bearn, France). (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html)
• Our Lady of Betharam diocese of Lescar: Bearn France. 1503. (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html)
• “Notre Dame de Betharam”. Diocese of Lescar, Bearn, France. 1503. (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm)
• Our Lady of Splendor (Italy, 1557) (http://mariedenazareth.com)
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