hope for the weak
" 'Philip,' Jesus replied, 'after I have been with you all this time, you still do not know Me?' " —John 14:9
Philip followed Jesus for years without getting to know Him. When Jesus tested Philip's faith before He multiplied the loaves and fish, Philip flunked the test (Jn 6:6). When some Greeks wanted to see Jesus (Jn 12:21), Philip didn't tell them to come and see Jesus, as he had earlier said to Nathanael (Jn 1:45-46). Instead, Philip went to tell Andrew, as if Philip didn't know how to take someone to Jesus (Jn 12:22).
Philip was weak in faith. Yet in his weakness, God's power reached perfection (2 Cor 12:9). God gave His power to Philip at the first Christian Pentecost. After Pentecost, Philip was a new person. He became a great leader in the early Church, one of the first missionaries, and a martyr for love of Jesus.
We all are like Philip. We are "weak flesh sold into the slavery of sin" (Rm 7:14). However, we are also like Philip in that we are called to live as new creations through a new Pentecost. The Holy Spirit confirms us, that is, strengthens us. In that way, God's power reaches perfection in our weakness. Jesus promised that we, the weak, will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes down on us (Acts 1:8). Holy Spirit of power, come to the weak!
Prayer: Father, give me the Pentecost of a lifetime.
Promise: "Next He was seen by James; then by all the apostles. Last of all He was seen by me." —1 Cor 15:7-8
Praise: St. Philip led an apostle, Nathanael, to Jesus (Jn 1:45-46).
Reference: (This is the anniversary of our radio program. If the program is not broadcast in your area, consider leading a radio ministry. Call Dean Weber at 513-232-5482 for details. You can listen to the radio program, Daily Bread, on the Internet at http://www.presentationministries.com twenty-four hours a day.)
Nihil Obstat: Reverend Ralph J. Lawrence, December 9, 2000
Imprimatur: †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, December 12, 2000