GOSPEL POWER | AUGUST 24, 2021 - Tuesday - 21st Week in Ordinary Time

Feast of Saint Bartholomew, Apostle

1st Reading: Rv 21:9b-14 

Responsorial Psalm: Ps 145 – Your friends make known, O Lord,  the glorious splendor of your Kingdom. 

Gospel: Jn 1:45-51 45

Philip found Nathanael and said to him, “We have found him about  whom Moses in the law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus son of  Joseph from Nazareth.” Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good  come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.” When  Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him, he said of him, “Here is  truly an Israelite in whom there is no deceit!” Nathanael asked him,  “Where did you get to know me?” Jesus answered, “I saw you under  the fig tree before Philip called you.” Nathanael replied, “Rabbi, you  are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!” Jesus answered, “Do  you believe because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree? You  will see greater things than these.” 51And he said to him, “Very truly, I  tell you, you will see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending  and descending upon the Son of Man.”

Reflection:

Jesus’ first meeting with Nathanael is marked by a mutual  recognition that can be understood only if we know the  Old Testament references woven into their conversation.  Jesus begins by referring to Nathanael as “an Israelite without  duplicity,” recalling Jacob, the first to bear the name “Israel.” But  Jesus reverses Jacob’s reputation as a deceiver and affirms Nathanael  who has accepted Philip’s invitation to “come and see” despite his  initial prejudice. The image of the fig tree comes from the prophet  Zechariah’s vision: “On that day, says the Lord of hosts, you shall invite  each other to come under your vine and fig tree” (3:10). The reason  for the invitation is the arrival of the Messiah and the dawning of  the messianic age. This reference opens Nathanael’s eyes. At once he  recognizes Jesus and confesses his Messianic identity. Jesus responds  with a promise of greater things to come, recalling again Jacob and  his vision of the ladder connecting heaven and earth (cf. Gen 28:12).

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, like Nathanael, may we never refuse the invitation to “come  and see” and discover not only you but ourselves. Amen.