The Call of Nathanael

Today's Reflections

The Call of Nathanael 

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Jn 1:47-51

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:

Philip called you. Jesus acknowledges the fact that Philip is instrumental in introducing Nathanael to Jesus. John’s gospel starts with the Baptist introducing Christ to mankind. In a special way, John the Baptist points/introduces Jesus, the Lamb of God, to two of his disciples. One of the two disciples, Andrew, finds his brother Simon Peter and points or introduces Jesus to him. Jesus himself calls Philip who, in turn, finds Nathanael and tells him about Jesus.

This chain or series of events of someone introducing another to Jesus shows the interconnectedness of God’s creatures and is crucial for the spread of the Gospel. This is also reflective of the roles of angels and archangels in the divine plan of salvation. Angels are benevolent celestial beings who act as intermediaries or bridges between heaven and earth, God and mankind. They are messengers in the service of God, and somehow introduce us to God.

Having discovered the friendship of Jesus,

have you led others

to that special friendship with the Lord?

To remain close to the Lord,

you have to rediscover him every day.