DAILY- HOMILY

August 24, 2015 MONDAY, 21ST Week in Ordinary Time

ST. BARTHOLOMEW, Apostle      

Feast, Red

Rv 21:9b – 14 / Jn 1:45 - 51                                

[St. Bartholomew, from Cana in Galilee, was the Nathanael called by Jesus as one of his first disciples Tradition says he was martyred in India.]

Reading: Rv 21:9b – 14

     Then one of the seven angels came to me, one of those with the seven bowls full of the seven last plagues. And he said, "Come, I am going to show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb." He took me up in a spiritual vision to a very high mountain and he showed me the holy city Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God. It shines with the glory of God, like a precious jewel with the color of crystal-clear jasper.

     Its wall, large and high, has twelve gates; stationed at them are twelve angels. Over the gates are written the names of the twelve tribes of the sons of Israel. Three gates face the east; three gates face the north; three gates face the south and three face the west. The city wall stands on twelve foundation stones on which are written the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.

Gospel: Jn 1:45 - 51

     Philip found Nathanael and said to him, "We have found the one that Moses wrote about in the Law, and the prophets as well: he is Jesus, son of Joseph, from Nazareth."

     Nathanael replied, "Can anything good come from Nazareth?" Philip said to him, "Come and see." When Jesus saw Nathanael coming, he said of him, "Here comes an Israelite, a true one; there is nothing false in him." Nathanael asked him, "How do you know me?" And Jesus said to him, "Before Philip called you, you were under the fig tree and I saw you."

     Nathanael answered, "Master, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!"  

     But Jesus replied, "You believe because I said: 'I saw you under the fig tree.' But you will see greater things than that. Truly, I say to you, you will see the heavens opened and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man."

Reflection:

     It is common for us to have misconceptions about people outside our usual acquaintances and social circles. Since we're accustomed to city conveniences and modern infrastructures, there is that tendency to underestimate those who come from the province. Those raised in a farm can be quite unfamiliar with urban zones due to their rural upbringing. 

     Nathanael probably had these biases when Philip told him that they should meet Jesus who came from Nazareth. That is like telling us that this wise man arrived from some backward part of the country. Normal for us to assume that backwater county culture may not be that impressive. 

     But Jesus, even with his humble beginnings, looks on us with pride in his eyes. He does not carry biases or baseless notions about those who want to meet him. Instead, he sees into the truth of our hearts. He knows that good exists within us. That is why he proudly exclaimed that Nathanael is a true Israelite. He is a good man; he stays true to who he really is; there is nothing false in him.

     Like Nathanael, we can become a bit shocked by how we come across to our Lord. This probably means that he really sees us better than we see ourselves. Even if we might have the wrong impression about Jesus, what is surprising is how he knows us, the real us. Christ recognizes the goodness of God in our spirit. That is where the real us resides.

     Let us always be open to the God's initiatives and invitation to us, the way Philip responded to Jesus' invitation. And, like Philip, let us be anxious to share our experience and knowledge of God with others.

WE PRAY FOR MTQ DAILY PRAYER DIARY INTENTIONS:

BIRTHDAY

     CATHERINE CHUA

     ANGELO CARLO A. GONZALES

     ARNOLD TOLENTINO

     RAY CAVA

Finally, we pray for one another, for those who have asked our prayers and for those who need our prayers the most. 

Have a good day!

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