Saint Philip the Apostle
Saint Philip the Apostle
Saint Philip was one of the twelve Apostles chosen by Jesus Christ to spread the Gospel of God. Born in Bethsaida, the same land as Peter and Andrew, Philip was known by his Greek name, which indicates a cultural openness that, according to Pope Benedict XVI, should not be underestimated.
The Moment of Calling
Philip appears in specific but significant moments in the Gospels. When Philip is called by Jesus, he finds Nathanael and tells him: “ We have found the one about whom Moses, in the Law, and the Prophets wrote: Jesus, son of Joseph, born in Nazareth ”. Nathanael asks: “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip responds: “ Come and you will see ”, demonstrating, according to Pope Benedict XVI, the characteristics of a true witness.
Multiplication of Loaves
Philip also appears at the multiplication of the loaves, when Jesus asks him where they would buy bread to feed that crowd. Philip responds sensibly, considering the number of people there, saying that two hundred denarii would not be enough. The fact that Jesus addressed Philip demonstrates that he was a prominent figure among the disciples, which is reinforced by the fact that he always appears fifth in the lists of the apostles.
Search for Greeks
Before the Passion of Christ, Philip is approached by some Greeks, who ask him to see Jesus. Quite possibly Philip himself spoke Greek, which is why the foreigners sought him out.
The last supper
Philip also appears at the Last Supper, when Jesus told him that knowing him meant also knowing the Father. Philip replies asking: “Lord, show us the Father, and that is enough!”, to which Jesus responds that he had been there for so long with them and they did not recognize him.
Philip the Apostle and the Gospel
After the death of Jesus and the receipt of the Holy Spirit, Philip certainly understood that whoever saw Jesus saw the Father. Thus, he became a great evangelizer, having announced Christ in Greece and Phrygia, where he ended up meeting his death.
Philip's life, despite being punctuated by significant moments, shows us that whoever saw Jesus saw the Father. Pope Benedict XVI reinforced this by saying that Philip was the true witness, who was not content with proposing the announcement as a theory, but directly questioned the interlocutor.