5 January, 2023 Memorial of Saint John Neumann, Bishop

 Gospel : Jn 1:43-51

Jesus decided to go to Galilee, and he found Philip.

And Jesus said to him, "Follow me."

Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the town of Andrew and Peter.

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 the sky opened and the angels of God

ascending and descending on the Son of Man."

Reflections

Philip’s response echoes Jesus' words, “Come and see,” to the two disciples who had  asked where he stayed. The only way to know Jesus is not only by hearsay or reading about him but by a personal experience of him. Experience with Jesus would reveal to Nathanael and the other disciples the mutual relationship between Jesus and his Father. Jesus is the 'stairway' between us and the Father.We can notice ourselves growing in discipleship when our thoughts, actions and communication reflects Jesus’ way. The Lord communicates with us in many ways and at times, through the mediation of other people, even strangers who appear most unlikely to be right. What Jesus saw in Nathanael surprised him. Our hidden actions and desires are only too evident to Jesus. May we hear him acknowledge and affirm the goodness in us that others around us may not notice.

Action Plan:

Recall and thank people who brought you the invitation of God or who directed you closer to your calling.