Daily Catholic Mass Readings for August 24, 2023
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 first reading from Revelation paints a vivid picture of the Holy City, Jerusalem, descending from heaven. This vision is filled with symbols of beauty, light, and order, representing the ultimate union of God with His people. The city’s twelve gates and foundations signify the unity of the Old and New Covenants, with the names of the twelve tribes of Israel and the twelve Apostles reflecting the harmony between God’s people across time. The city’s brilliance and structure point to the eternal life of glory and peace that God promises to those who remain faithful.
In the Gospel, we encounter Philip and Nathanael, whose exchange reveals the dynamics of faith and trust. Nathanael’s initial skepticism about Nazareth gives way to belief when Jesus reveals His knowledge of Nathanael’s prayer under the fig tree. This moment of revelation opens Nathanael’s heart to recognize Jesus as the Son of God and the King of Israel. Jesus then promises that Nathanael will see even greater things, emphasizing that faith is not static but leads to deeper encounters with God’s truth and majesty.
These readings invite us to reflect on our own journey of faith. Like Nathanael, we may have moments of doubt or hesitation, but Jesus calls us to “come and see,” to trust in His revelation and promises. The vision of the Holy City reminds us that our ultimate hope is not in this world but in the eternal life of union with God. As we navigate the challenges of daily life, let us seek to deepen our faith, trusting that God’s plan is unfolding in ways we cannot fully see. May we, like Nathanael, open our hearts to the greater things God has in store for us, and may we live with hope and joy, knowing that we are called to share in the eternal glory of the Holy City.