The call of Nathanael

Today's Reflections

January 5, 2012

St. John Neumann
Thursday before Epiphany
WHITE

1 Jn 3:11-21
Ps 100
Jn 1:43-51

The call of Nathanael

[Jesus] decided to go to Galilee, and he found Philip. And Jesus said to him, “Follow me.” ⁴⁴Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the town of Andrew and Peter. ⁴⁵Philip 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.” ⁴⁶But Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come from Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.” ⁴⁷Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and said of him, “Here is a true Israelite. There is no duplicity in him.” ⁴⁸Nathanael 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.” ⁴⁹Nathanael answered him, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel.” ⁵⁰Jesus 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.” ⁵¹And 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.”

Reflection:

You will see greater things. The Gospel speaks of both profession and promise.

Nathanael doubts Philip’s news that they have found the Promised One in Jesus of Nazareth. Still, he accepts Philip’s invitation to come along.

Nathanael is then impressed by Jesus’ accurate knowledge of him. He professes Jesus to be the “Son of God” and “King of Israel.” He commits himself to Jesus as the promised Savior.

Jesus assures Nathanael of greater things, referring to visions of God’s glory, the salvific actions of Jesus (death, resurrection, and ascension), and the blessings and honors awaiting a chosen apostle.

We, too, are recipients of God’s favors and blessings. We have experienced God’s gracious actions and saving interventions in our life. Let us recall how often we have been favored by God. Let us count our blessings—surely, they are numerous and unending.

I will make it a point to be content with whatever the Lord sends my way.

I will be thankful for the good things God gives me and will cherish and share them with others.