Saint Philip Neri, Priest – Readings

Commentary on Philippians 4:4-9; John 17:20-26

The Gospel reading is part of Jesus’ prayer for unity among his followers. It comes from his long discourse during the Last Supper as given to us in John’s Gospel. In this particular part of the prayer, he is praying not for those disciples who are with him at the supper, but “for those who believe in me through their word”.

Jesus prays:

…that they may all be one. As you, Father, are in me and I am in you, may they also be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.

This is the way that people will come to recognise the true identity of Jesus.

To be a follower of Jesus is not simply to believe in him and lead a good life. It is not to see the Church as some kind of outside organisation distinct from me, but to which I go to get the ‘graces’ I need to be a good person, to keep the commandments and as a place where I can carry out my ‘religious obligations’ and in the end ‘save my soul’.

To be a follower of Jesus is essentially to be a follower with and through others. The Christian life is essentially communal. And Jesus is saying here that the most potent witness we can give of who he is, is that we who claim to follow him do so as part of a fellowship. It is said that in the early Church there was a saying: “See those Christians how they love one another!” That was one of the most striking characteristics to the pagan eye, namely, that people who came from different ethnic and social backgrounds could live together in such harmony. This was something strange to societies which strongly and defensively identified with their own group.

Jesus had said this earlier during the same discourse. In giving his disciples a “new” commandment, he had told them:

Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another. (John 13:34-35)

This was to be the defining mark of the Christian—to be a ‘with-person’ or an ‘inter-person’. There is no room for individualism, going it alone to Jesus. This is a very relevant message for our individualistic, self-seeking, post-modern times.

Of course, the life of Philip Neri was very much along the line presented by Jesus. This is evident, first, from the concern he showed to the poor and needy, even to the prostitutes of Rome whom he tried to rescue from their slavery. It is seen in the congregation that he established, which is based so much on a brotherhood of equals, rather than on a structure of discipline and obedience. It is seen in the outgoing, warm character of Philip Neri.

It is not surprising, then, that the First Reading is from the Letter to the Philippians where the underlying theme is joy and happiness—traits particularly linked with Philip.

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything…

These are the words of Paul to the Christians at Philippi. Worry should never be part of the Christian’s life. As Jesuit Fr Tony de Mello used to say:

“If you worry, you will die. If you do not worry, you will die. So why worry!”

On the contrary, focus on the good things that have come our way. Be full of gratitude. And then what will happen?

…the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

And Paul tells them (and us):

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things…and the God of peace will be with you.

This could be a word portrait of Philip Neri and what a lovely world it would be if everyone was like this!

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Saint John Bosco, Priest – Readings

Commentary on Philippians 4:4-9; Matthew 18:1-5

Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?

This is the question that the disciples put to Jesus in today’s Gospel reading.  Perhaps they had their own ideas on this—the one with the greatest leadership qualities, the most intelligent, the one with the deepest understanding of the Scriptures and the Law, the one most admired in the group, and so on. They may have been somewhat surprised by the response of Jesus. 

He called over a small child to be among them and said:

Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven [i.e. of God].

That is, unless they became like little children, they would not be ready to live their lives in accordance with what God wanted for them. 

In asking them to become a child, of course, Jesus was not calling on his disciples to be childish or temperamental. Nor, obviously, to have the mental understanding of a child.  But children, at their best, are totally open to learning; they want to know what is true and right, and they put their trust in the good judgement of their parents. 

If we are to become truly Kingdom people, we—like children—need to have that openness to what is true and right and we need to surrender ourselves totally to the Way of Jesus: 

Whoever becomes humble like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

Jesus goes further—not only are his followers to have the docility, the teach-ability, of children before their Lord, but:

Whoever becomes humble like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

And, in the passage which follows (not included in today’s Gospel), Jesus gives dire warnings as to what will happen to people who become stumbling blocks to “little ones” so that they are blocked from coming in contact with God and his love.  These “little ones” include both innocent children, but also all those of whatever age who may easily be led astray.

This part of the reading clearly applies to Don Bosco, who dedicated his life to opening up the world of the Gospel to young people and enabling them to live lives where they made a positive contribution to their societies in truth, love and justice.

The First Reading, from the Letter of Paul to the Christians of Philippi, reflects one of the outstanding qualities of Don Bosco, his cheerful temperament and his desire to bring joy and happiness into the lives of young people, especially those who came from deprived environments. 

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone.

Today we thank God for the great work the Salesian Fathers, Brothers and Sisters continue to do for young people all over the world. And let them be an inspiration to us, too, to make what contribution we can to bettering the life of young people in our society.

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