Daily Catholic Mass Readings for August 24, 2021
First Reading: Revelation 21.9b-14
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
Psalm 145
1The Praise of David himself. I will extol you, O God, my king. And I will bless your name, in this time and forever and ever2Throughout every single day, I will bless you. And I will praise your name, in this time and forever and ever3The Lord is great and exceedingly praiseworthy. And there is no end to his greatness4Generation after generation will praise your works, and they will declare your power5They will tell of the magnificent glory of your sanctity. And they will discourse of your wonders6And they will talk about the virtue of your terrible acts. And they will describe your greatness7They will shout about the memory of your abundant sweetness. And they will exult in your justice8The Lord is compassionate and merciful, patient and full of mercy9The Lord is sweet to all things, and his compassion is upon all his works10O Lord, may all your works confess to you, and let your holy ones bless you11They will speak of the glory of your kingdom, and they will declare your power12so as to make known to the sons of men your power and the glory of your magnificent kingdom13Your kingdom is a kingdom for all ages, and your dominion is with all, from generation to generation. The Lord is faithful in all his words and holy in all his works14The Lord lifts up all who have fallen down, and he sets upright all who have been thrown down15O Lord, all eyes hope in you, and you provide their food in due time16You open your hand, and you fill every kind of animal with a blessing17The Lord is just in all his ways and holy in all his works18The Lord is near to all who call upon him, to all who call upon him in truth19He will do the will of those who fear him, and he will heed their supplication and accomplish their salvation20The Lord watches over all who love him. And he will destroy all sinners21My mouth will speak the praise of the Lord, and may all flesh bless his holy name, in this time and forever and ever
Gospel: John 1.45-51
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
The readings today invite us to reflect on the vision of God’s ultimate plan for humanity and the call to faith in the midst of uncertainty. In the first reading from Revelation, we are given a glimpse of the Heavenly Jerusalem, a city of breathtaking beauty and perfect harmony. This vision is not just a description of a place but a symbol of the eternal life and communion that God promises to those who remain faithful. The city’s twelve gates and twelve foundations signify the unity and completeness of God’s people, drawn from both the Old and New Covenants. It is a reminder that our ultimate home is not in this world but in the eternal kingdom where God dwells with his people.
In the Gospel, we encounter Nathanael, who is initially skeptical when Philip tells him that Jesus of Nazareth is the Messiah. Nathanael’s hesitation reflects the human tendency to doubt when faced with something extraordinary or unexpected. Yet, when Nathanael meets Jesus, he is immediately struck by the depth of Jesus’ knowledge and the truth of his identity. Jesus’ words, “You will see greater things than these,” invite Nathanael—and us—to trust in the unfolding of God’s plan, even when we cannot fully see or understand it.
These readings encourage us to live with hope and faith, trusting that God’s promises are greater than our current struggles or uncertainties. Just as Nathanael came to recognize Jesus as the Son of God, we are called to seek and recognize God’s presence in our lives, even in the simplest moments. The vision of the Heavenly Jerusalem reminds us that our ultimate destiny is to live in communion with God and with one another. Let us strive to live in a way that reflects this hope, trusting in God’s plan and seeking to build a community of love and unity here on earth.