THE WORD
Rev 21,9-14 / Jn 1,45-51
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 Israelite. 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 g 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.”
IN OTHER WORDS
Today, we celebrate the feast of St. Bartolomew who was known to be a doctor in the Jewis law, a dear friend of St. Philip the Apostle. Bartholomew and Nathanael in today’s gospel are the same person under different names. Because Bartholomew was a man “in whom there was no guile,” his mind was open to the truth. He went willingly with Philip to see Christ, and recognized In St. John’s Gospel, Bartholomew is known by the name Nathaniel though the liturgy does not always seem aware of this identity. He hailed from Cana in Galilee, was one of the first disciples called by the Lord. On that initial meeting Jesus uttered the glorious compliment: “Behold, an Israelite indeed in whom there is no guile!” After the Resurrection he was favored by becoming one of the few apostles who witnessed the appearance of the risen Savior on the sea of Galilee (John 21:2). Following the Ascension he is said to have preached in Greater Armenia and to have been martyred there. While still alive, his skin was torn from his body.
Today’s gospel and feast inspire and challenge us to cleanse our hearts from pride and prejudice and like Nathaniel see Jesus who satisfies the longing of our waiting and seeking heart. With Nathaniel we confess: “Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel.”
- Fr. Doms O. Ramos, SVD | Pindangan, San Fernando, La Union
The Word in other words 2016
An annual project of Logos Publications, The WORD in Other Words Bible Diary contains daily scripture readings and reflections written by priest, brothers, and sisters of the three congregations founded by St. Arnold Janssen (the SVD, SSpS, and SSpSAP). It hopes to serve as a daily companion to readers who continually seek the correlation of the Word of God and human experience.
