Gospel: John 1:45-51
Philip found Nathanael and told him,
“We have found the one about whom Moses wrote in the law,
and also the prophets, Jesus son of Joseph, from Nazareth.”
But Nathanael said to him,
“Can anything good come from Nazareth?”
Philip said to him, “Come and see.”
Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and said of him,
“Here is a true child of Israel.
There is no duplicity in him.”
Nathanael said to him, “How do you know me?”
Jesus answered and said to him,
“Before Philip called you, I saw you under the fig tree.”
Nathanael answered him,
“Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel.”
Jesus answered and said to him,
“Do you believe
because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree?
You will see greater things than this.”
And he said to him, “Amen, amen, I say to you,
you will see heaven opened and the angels of God
ascending and descending on the Son of Man.”
The Gospel of the Lord.
The Mass intention is for Thomas and Gladys Martin RIP.
Reflection:
Once again, Jesus affirms another person. Yesterday, it was Peter. Today, it is Nathanael. Nathanael, traditionally known as Bartholomew, became a disciple of the Lord through the invitation of Philip. Although Nathanael initially had reservations about Jesus when he said, “Can anything good come from Nazareth?”, he came along to his friend’s invitation. The Gospel, as some commented, showed that Nathanael did not only see, but was “seen” by the Lord: “Before Philip called you, I saw you under the fig tree”. Hearing these words, Nathanael recognized Jesus as Teacher, Son of God, and King of Israel.
St Bartholomew preached Asia Minor, northwestern India, and Greater Armenia. In the latter country, while preaching to idolaters, he was arrested and condemned to death by tearing his skin from his body. Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI said that this apostle “stands before us to tell us that attachment to Jesus can also be lived and witnessed to without performing sensational deeds. Jesus Himself, to whom each of us is called to dedicate his or her own life and death, is and remains extraordinary”.
• Jesus praised St Bartholomew for having “no duplicity in him”. How do you live your life inside and outside the church?
• How do you like to be seen by Jesus in your day-to-day living?
• What possible ordinary deeds could you do to show your closeness to Jesus?
Lord Jesus, thank You for Your Word today. Through the example and prayers of St Bartholomew grant us the grace to live with integrity so that we too may see greater things in store for those who love You. Amen.
Fraternally,
Pietro
