On this day, the Church commemorates the apostles Philip and James. There is not a great deal known about these two apostles. The reason for their connection and the choice of May 1 to commemorate them seems to come from a later event. On the first of May in the late 500s AD, their supposed remains were moved to a new basilica in Rome.
Both apostles have names common in the first century. Philip is a common Hellenistic Greek name. Philip the Apostle is mentioned several times in the Gospels for bringing people to Jesus and asking questions. The name James is a medieval British transformation of Iacobus or Jacob, a very common Jewish name. The James honored on this day seems to be James the son of Alphaeus in the lists of the Twelve (Mark 3:18).
Although not as distinctive as some other New Testament disciples, Philip and James were part of the life and witness of the Church. They were members of the community that learned directly from our Lord, and they went out proclaiming His message before and after the Resurrection. In quiet ways, they helped found the Church, and according to ancient tradition, they ultimately witnessed by giving their lives. They worked to bring others to Christ. So on their feast day, we remember and give thanks for their faith and service as we do for many little-known and unknown witnesses.
Today is also the Second Sunday after Easter. It has often been called Good Shepherd Sunday because of the Gospel from St. John 10:11-16. Two times in these verses, Jesus says, "I am the good shepherd" (John 10: 11 and 14). These are "I AM" sayings where Christ alludes to His divine nature (see Exodus 3:14). Jesus has a unique identity; Christ is not just "a" good shepherd, but rather "the" good shepherd.
The meaning of being the good shepherd means is emphasized in the Gospel. Jesus says, "the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep" (10:11- and in slightly different words in 10:15). Any conscientious shepherd faces danger for his sheep, but Christ the Good Shepherd does more. He offers Himself as a sacrifice for His flock.
However, Jesus goes even further. Later in John 10. our Lord points out that since He lays down His life voluntarily, He can also take His life up again (10:17-18). In other words, the Good Shepherd does more than just die for His sheep. He also rises to life again and continues to care for His flock. Thus, Christ can affirm, "I am the good shepherd and know my sheep, and am known of mine, even as the Father knoweth me, and I know the Father" (10:14). The relationship between Christ and His flock is deeply personal and loving; it reflects the relationship between God the Father and God the Son. There is a closeness and a deep knowledge of one another. There is an abiding and profound commitment and affection. In this way, Good Shepherd Sunday is an affirmation of resurrection faith.
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