The Call of Nathanael

Today's Reflections

The Call of Nathanael 

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Jn 1:45-51

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:

Come and see. It is a great joy for Philip to bring Nathanael to Jesus. His ardent desire is to share the glory and happiness of meeting Jesus. Having discovered the friendship of Jesus, he spends his whole life leading others to that treasured fellowship with Jesus.

The imperative verbs come and see are invitations for us to go to Jesus and experience him. They directly challenge us to find Jesus, to try Jesus, and to return to him.

In our response, we must discover Jesus in every sphere of life and in every course of action. Connected with 

this response is the responsibility to share Jesus with others, as Philip does for Nathanael.

Can you find significant persons in your life

whom you have to bring and introduce to Jesus?

Can you recall your own first encounter with the Lord?

Can you draw lessons from it that can benefit others?