(Philip d.c.80; James d.c.62) Saint Philip was a disciple of Saint John the Baptist and one of the Twelve Apostles specifically called by Jesus to follow Him. He played a role in the gospel of John’s account of the multiplication of bread and fish, and was active in evangelization in the Acts of the Apostles. He was martyred by being stoned to death while tied to a cross. The Saint James honored today is the one titled “The Less” because he was younger than another Apostle by the same name. He was a cousin of Jesus and brother of Saint Jude the Apostle. Saint James was the first bishop of Jerusalem and was martyred by being thrown off the Temple and then stoned and beaten with clubs.

Courage, integrity, and, above all, faith are spiritual principles of recovery embodied by these two Apostles. They were important witnesses of the Resurrection and bold evangelists. In the Preface of the Basic Text of Narcotics Anonymous, “service” is defined as “doing the right thing for the right reason.” This is the work of any evangelist—to carry the message to the still suffering.

Saint Philip and Saint James, pray for us, that we can develop the courage, integrity, and faith to become people of service to others as you both witnessed with your own lives. Amen.