Daily Reflection – Aug 24, 2016

Wednesday 24 August 2016

First Reading: 
Apocalypse 21:9-14
Responsorial Psalm:
Your friends tell the glory of your kingship, Lord
Psalm 144(145):10-13, 17-18
Gospel Reading: John 1:45-51

Today’s Saint: St Bartholomew, Apostle (Memorial)

Gospel Reading:

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.”

Reflection:

‘Come and see.’

Discipleship is a loaded word. It’s not one used in everyday speech. It speaks of the unique call to Christians to not just follow, to not just accompany, but to ‘disciple’ Jesus.

The beautiful image of the heavenly Jerusalem is not a place. It is meant to describe that time when we will be in God’s presence forever. The beauty of the precious gems and the numbers signifying perfection and completion alert us to their connection with God. Ironically, we do not have to wait until we die to experience this reality. We begin now, as we advance in love, humility, and holiness. Our faith is not just about going to heaven when we die, but experiencing heaven while we live.

In today’s reading, Philip and Nathaniel recognise Jesus as the Son of God, and wonder what it implies for them. Nathaniel was one of those individuals who always spoke his mind. He more or less made fun of the hometown of Jesus, but the Lord was not offended. He was amused and gratified with his honesty. Nathaniel was impressed that Jesus saw him even before meeting him for the first time. He proclaimed him son of God and king of Israel, but Jesus replied Nathaniel had really not seen anything yet. The heavens would be opened, and he would see angels descending and ascending on the son of man.

In effect, Jesus was saying that through him we have access to heaven and to the world of the spirit. Again, this is available to us even while we are alive. Indeed, discipleship rarely means an easy life of being sheep who follow their master. It often asks sacrifice, pain, suffering. We are invited to ‘come and see’ what discipleship will mean for us. For all of us, it will mean different things. If we truly believe this and put it into practice, our lives could be greatly enriched. The Lord offers us so much; people are content with so little.

“Lord, open my heart and mind to Your presence.”