Daily Readings - Sat Aug 24 2019
Revelation
9And one of the seven Angels, those holding the bowls filled with the seven last afflictions, approached and spoke with me, saying: "Come, and I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb.10And he took me up in spirit to a great and high mountain. And he showed me the Holy City Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God11having the glory of God. And its light was like that of a precious stone, even like that of the jasper stone or like crystal12And it had a wall, great and high, having twelve gates. And at the gates were twelve Angels. And names were written upon them, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the sons of Israel13On the East were three gates, and on the North were three gates, and on the South were three gates, and on the West were three gates14And the wall of the City had twelve foundations. And upon them were the twelve names of the twelve Apostles of the Lamb
John
45Philip found Nathanael, and he said to him, "We have found the one about whom Moses wrote in the Law and the Prophets: Jesus, the son of Joseph, from Nazareth.46And Nathanael said to him, "Can anything good be from Nazareth?" Philip said to him, "Come and see.47Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him, and he said about him, "Behold, an Israelite in whom truly there is no deceit.48Nathanael said to him, "From where do you know me?" Jesus responded and said to him, "Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.49Nathanael answered him and said: "Rabbi, you are the Son of God. You are the King of Israel.50Jesus responded and said to him: "Because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree, you believe. Greater things than these, you will see.51And he said to him, "Amen, amen, I say to you, you will see heaven opened, and the Angels of God ascending and descending over the Son of man.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we are invited to reflect on the vision of God’s ultimate plan for humanity and the call to recognize Jesus as the Messiah. The first reading from Revelation paints a vivid picture of the New Jerusalem, the bride of the Lamb, descending from heaven. This city is not just a physical place but a symbol of God’s eternal presence among His people, a place of beauty, light, and perfect order. The twelve gates and twelve foundations signify the unity and completeness of God’s people, with the names of the tribes of Israel and the Apostles representing the continuity of God’s covenant from the Old Testament to the New.
The Gospel reading from John continues this theme of revelation and recognition. Philip introduces Nathanael to Jesus, and Nathanael, though initially skeptical, comes to faith when Jesus reveals His knowledge of Nathanael’s heart. Jesus’ words, “You will see greater things than these,” remind us that our faith is not static but dynamic, leading us to deeper encounters with God. Nathanael’s profession of faith, “You are the Son of God, the King of Israel,” shows the transformative power of encountering Christ.
These readings remind us that our lives are part of a larger story—God’s story of love and redemption. Like Nathanael, we are called to move beyond doubt and skepticism to a place of trust and faith. The vision of the New Jerusalem encourages us to live with hope, knowing that God is building a community of love and light. Let us ask for the grace to recognize God’s presence in our lives, to trust in His plan, and to live as part of His holy city, even as we journey through this world.