Today is the Feast Day of Saints Philip and James the Just. It is also the 5th Sunday of Easter. I love that about my Catholic faith – we do know how to linger in the Holy Seasons.
The Church’s Liturgical year begins on Advent Sunday, the first Holy Season of the year. This is followed by the Christmas Season, Ordinary Times (Part 1), Lenten Season, the Paschal Triduum, Easter Season and finally Ordinary Times (Part 2). One could argue that Ordinary Times really aren’t Seasons in the same way as Easter, but rather a celebration of the life and times of Jesus. And that would be fair.
Today in addition to the Easter Season, we also acknowledge the feast day of two of Christ’s chosen. Philip was born in Bethsaida, Galilee. Many believe he was a disciple of John the Baptist, which is how he came to know Jesus. It’s interesting to know that the Gospel of John tells of a different encounter, one where Jesus calls Philip directly without any mention of his involvement with John the Baptist. It is believed that Philip was the first to introduce Nathanael (Bartholomew) to Jesus, perhaps at the wedding in Cana. Saint Philip earned a reputation as a man who crossed cultural boundaries when it came to spreading the gospel, believing that Christ’s message was a universal message for all to hear.
James the Just was also a disciple, mentioned in the writings of both Matthew (13:55) and Mark (6:3) in terms that seem to confuse non-Catholics. When Jesus returned to Nazareth and began preaching, those who knew him as a boy could not imagine how He came to have such wisdom and knowledge.
Is he not the carpenter’s son? Is not his mother named Mary and his brothers James, Joseph, Simon and Judas? Are not his sisters all with us? Where did this man get all this?
These were fair questions, and from a purely literal sense, it seems that James was His actual brother. As Catholic, we know this is not the case. While related, it is more likely that the two were cousins. This is further clarified at the Crucifixion. John tells us that at the foot of the cross were three different women – Mary, His mother, Mary, her sister and the wife of Clopas as well as Mary Magdalene. Catholics believe that this Mary, the wife of Clopas, was also the mother of both James and Joseph mentioned earlier. It’s possible since Mary the wife of Clopas and Mary, the Mother of our Lord shared the same name while referred to as sisters, that these women were also cousins. This would make Saint James the Just a second cousin to our Lord. As a bloodline relative, he was referred to as “brother” in that this was a general term used to describe members within the same family line and not necessarily siblings.
Saint James was deeply respected among early Christians. He went on to become the Bishop of Jerusalem, playing a central role in guiding the early Church. Saint James the Just presided at the council of Jerusalem, where it was resolved that Gentiles converting to the new Christian faith did not first need to observe all the ceremonial precepts of Mosaic Law, including circumcision.
While Saint Philip and James the Just were not martyred together, they do rest together in Rome.
Slow Cooker Angel Chicken
8 boneless Chicken thighs
1 package Dry Italian Dressing Mix
1 (10 oz) can Cream of Mushroom Soup
3/4 cup Chicken Stock
4 tablespoons Butter
Black Pepper to taste
2 teaspoons Roasted Minced Garlic
8 oz Cream Cheese
Parsley for garnish
12 oz Angel Hair Pasta
Parmesan Cheese, optional
Lightly spray the inside of a 6-quart slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray.
Cut chicken into bite-size pieces, scatter on the bottom of the slow-cooker bowl. Set aside.
In a bowl, whisk together the mushroom soup, chicken stock, Italian seasoning packet, black pepper, and garlic. Pour over the chicken pieces. Cut butter into smaller pieces, scatter over the top.
Cover and cook on LOW for 4 hours or until the chicken is cooked through and tender.
Cut cream cheese into smaller cubed pieces. Add to the slow cooker. Increase heat to HIGH and continue to cook for 30 minutes longer. Snip parsley while the chicken finishes, set parsley aside for serving.
Bring a pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook pasta al dente according to package directions, about 3 minutes. Drain well. Place pasta in a large serving bowl or rimmed platter.
Stir creamy chicken one last time to blend in the cream cheese. Ladle chicken over the pasta first with a large slotted spoon to collect all of the delicious chicken, then use a regular spoon to drizzle on the sauce. Garnish with parsley.
Serve with Parmesan Cheese and additional sauce tableside as a nice finish.
Lord, let Your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in You.
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