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". . . I think the greatest safeguard is to be very careful and to watch how we advance in virtue; we must notice whether we are making progress or falling back in it, especially as regards the love of our neighbour, the desire to be thought the least of all and how we perform our ordinary, everyday duties."
(St.
Teresa of Avila [16th C.], "The Interior Castle," Fifth Mansion)
(By your fruit shall you know if you are growing in the Spirit.)
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Rv 21:9b-14; Psalm 145:10-11, 12-13,
17-18 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 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 heaven opened and the angels of God
ascending and descending on the Son of
Man.” USCCB lectionary
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Reflection on the Scripture
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“You will see much greater things than that.” —John
1:50 The first time we encounter St. Nathanael (also called Bartholomew) is in John’s Gospel. Nathanael is prejudiced. He insults Jesus even before he meets Him (Jn 1:46). Jesus nonetheless opens up Nathanael by a word of supernatural knowledge (Jn 1:48). Nathanael responds by confessing Jesus as Son of God and King of Israel (Jn 1:49). Jesus has begun His work in Nathanael’s
life.
Nathanael accompanies Jesus for three years in His preaching, deliverance, and healing ministry. Finally, Nathanael sins grievously by abandoning Jesus when He was arrested and put to death (Mk 14:50). Three days later, Nathanael sees Jesus risen from the dead (Jn 20:19). However, this does not change Nathanael much. With Peter, Nathanael goes back to fishing, until Jesus awakens him with the miraculous
catch of fish (Jn 21:2ff). Even this causes little permanent change.
Finally, Nathanael receives the Holy Spirit at the first Pentecost (Acts 2:4). Jesus’ work immediately bears fruit. Nathanael is a changed man, a great missionary to the nations, and a foundation-stone of the new Jerusalem (Rv 21:14). With Nathanael, “receive the Holy Spirit” (Jn 20:22), receive new life (Jn 10:10), and change the world for
Jesus.
Prayer: Jesus, thank You for turning a prejudiced man into a Spirit-filled apostle and missionary. Transform me as well.
Promise: “I solemnly assure you, you shall see the sky opened and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.” —Jn
1:51 Presentation Ministries
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Poems from the Little Flower of Jesus: Saint Therese of Lisieux - by Athanasius Press, 2018 Part One: To Live of Love
"If any man love Me, he will keep My word and My Father will love him and We will come to him and make Our abode with him. . . My peace I give unto you . . . Abide in My love."
(John 14:23, 27, -- 15:9)
15.
To die of love, behold my life's long hope! God is my one exceeding great reward. He of my wishes forms the end and scope; Him only do I seek; my dearest
Lord. With passionate love for Him my heart is riven. O may He quickly come! He draweth nigh! Behold my destiny, behold my heaven, -- Of
Love to die!
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Paperback
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