DAILY- HOMILY

Nathanael was amazed at how Jesus had read his innermost thoughts. When Nathanael asked how Jesus knew him, Jesus told him that he had seen him under the fig tree. According to Jewish tradition, "to sit under the fig tree" was another way of expressing "to meditate on the scriptures." Jesus must have seen in Nathanael's heart, when he was deep in meditation, the peace of soul of one who lives in God's love. And so the first question that comes to mind as we reflect on today's reading: How does Jesus see the way of life I am leading? Does He see in me someone "in whom there is nothing false"?

Today, we are also reminded of the big role our angels play in our daily struggle to ascend the ladder to heaven. While we usually think of angels as "messengers of God" – like Gabriel and Michael – they are also instruments through whom God manifests His great love and caring for each one of us, watching and protecting us from evil. During these times when our children (and grandchildren) have to contend with so many temptations from peer pressure and the media, let us lift up our minds and hearts daily with this prayer taken from the Prayer to Our Holy Guardian Angels: