Lessons from the Saints - Philip the Apostle

Yesterday was the feast day of Philip the Apostle.  Unlike Peter, James or John, there is precious little canonical guidance concerning the character of this man named among the 12 disciples of Christ.  Further, it is of note that the Philip of the Acts of the Apostles is a different man.

The one episode from the gospel of John is what strikes me as being worthy of note.

Philip went to look for Nathanael and told him, “We have found the very person Moses and the prophets wrote about! His name is Jesus, the son of Joseph from Nazareth.”

“Nazareth!” exclaimed Nathanael. “Can anything good come from Nazareth?”

“Come and see for yourself,” Philip replied. (John 1:43-46)

Philip does not attempt to rationalize or convince Nathanael.  He does not cajole or berate his friend (whom most consider to be Bartholomew in the Synoptic gospels).  No, he says to come and see for yourself.

Recent events have been pressing me strongly towards a viewpoint of faith that is heart-centered and focused on the experiential spiritual rather than on the rational religious.  The transformative events of my life, the important ones which have given me even the slimmest understanding of the Divine and Her universe, are things which cannot be explained, rationalized or used to convince.  It isn't that they aren't real, potent or present but rather that they defy any description.  Come and see for yourself.  Enter into this mystery with me and experience the awe and wonder of the Divine.

Come and see for yourself.