From Seeing to Knowing: The Journey of Faith in St. Philip

Icon of St. Philip the Apostle by Cecilia Lawrence. Website: deviantart.com

In a previous reflection, I mentioned that Cecilia Lawrence wrote an icon of our congregation's founder. Here, she depicts St. Philip the Apostle holding a basket of loaves and fish, the book of the Gospels, and a cross -- the instrument of his martyrdom. These objects embody Philip’s journey from being shown who God is to knowing who God is.

In John 14:7, during the Last Supper, Jesus says, “If you know me, then you will also know my Father.” Philip responds, “Master, show us the Father, and that will be enough for us.” It is interesting that while Jesus speaks of knowing, Philip asks to be shown. This contrast between knowing and showing can at times lead us to an either-or approach rather than a both-and. We may lean toward intellectual knowledge of God and facts, or focus on the emotions and feelings that come from experiencing God’s presence and how he has “shown up” in our lives. 

Jesus’ response seems to suggest that Philip’s eyes have already seen what his mind and heart have yet to settle. Philip had been journeying with Jesus for years; he had seen the multiplication of fish and loaves. Moving forward, Philip had to learn how to transform those external “showings” into remembered knowledge. To truly know someone is to recognize that they have already shown you who they are. You know someone because they have shown you who they really are. Faith isn’t about waiting for new signs, but about deeply integrating the signs we have already received with the intellectual knowledge. 

The balance needed for evangelization between intellectual knowledge and lived experience is embodied in the icon of Philip, who is depicted holding the Gospels and a basket. When Philip encounters the Ethiopian eunuch on the road, Philip has learned the balance between intellectual knowledge and lived experience. Philip not only explains the book of the prophet Isaiah, but also shares who Jesus is and what he himself saw Jesus do. The icon of Philip reminds us, as evangelists, of the importance of finding a balance between intellectual facts and lived experience.