The Apostles appointed Philip as a deacon to help care for the Church's needs. When persecution broke out in Jerusalem, Philip traveled north to Samaria. The obstacles Philip faced were real. Jews and Samaritans had deep tensions — religious, cultural, and social — that kept them from engaging with each other. Yet Deacon Philip walked into Samaria without hesitation.
The Gospel comes to us today in the words of Jesus Christ, who speaks to His disciples at a very sensitive time — the night of their Last Meal together. After this night, their lives change forever; the one whom they followed, depended on, and loved is announcing His departure. You can imagine the sentiments that enveloped the atmosphere as they listened to Him.
The Catholic Church concludes the Christmas season by celebrating the Baptism of Our Lord. Today’s first reading comes from the prophet Isaiah, who prophesied to the Israelites during the Babylonian Exile in the middle of the sixth century before Christ. In this time of darkness, Isaiah proclaimed, “Here is my servant whom I uphold… upon whom I have put my spirit.” God’s messenger came to the people at their lowest point, promising that a servant would restore justice, peace, and hope.