MY daily reflection and prayer:
Wednesday, August 24, 2016
Twentieth Week in Ordinary Time
Feast of Saint Bartholomew, Apostle
Dear my friends,
Here is the Gospel for us today according to St. John 1:45-51
Philip found Nathaniel 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 Nathaniel said to him, “Can anything good come from Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.” Jesus saw Nathaniel coming toward him and said of him, “Here is a true Israelite. There is no duplicity in him.” Nathaniel 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.” Nathaniel 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 the sky opened and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.”
This is the Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ.
***
THE Gospel today tells us about Nathaniel. It is traditionally understood that the Nathaniel St. John refers to is St. Bartholomew the apostle whom we celebrate his feast today.
We read in the Gospel, Nathaniel receives a call to be Jesus’ apostle although the call does not come directly from Jesus, but through a mediator, Philip, who testifies to him who Jesus is. Although at first he doubts, but he does not totally reject the idea to meet Jesus.
From his first simple encounter with Jesus Christ he becomes a great saint who has lived his life in profound union with God. He becomes a convinced Jesus’ apostle.
In the Perpetual Adoration of the Eucharist, while adoring Jesus Christ we pray that our encounter with Jesus Christ produces a clear and firm profession of his faith as St. Bartholomew. He has a direct and strong personal relationship with Jesus Christ as the Son of God. Do we doubt to meet and adore Jesus Christ? Do we want to come and adore him?
Let’s pray: Lord Jesus Christ, we sometimes can be a skeptic, not trusting that you can transform our life. We believe in your wondrous shining glory, although this is hidden from our eyes. We love you, Lord, so increase our intimacy with you now and forever. Amen.
Kredit foto: Ilustrasi (Ist)
