Daily Catholic Mass Readings for August 24, 2023
First Reading: Revelation 21.9b-14
9Then came one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls full of the seven last plagues and spoke to me, saying, "Come, I will show you the Bride, the wife of the Lamb."10And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great, high mountain, and showed me the holy city Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God,11having the glory of God, its radiance like a most rare jewel, like a jasper, clear as crystal.12It had a great, high wall, with twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and on the gates the names of the twelve tribes of the sons of Israel were inscribed--13on the east three gates, on the north three gates, on the south three gates, and on the west three gates.14And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.
Psalm 145
1I will extol you, my God and King, and bless your name forever and ever.2Every day I will bless you and praise your name forever and ever.3Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised, and his greatness is unsearchable.4One generation shall commend your works to another, and shall declare your mighty acts.5On the glorious splendor of your majesty, and on your wondrous works, I will meditate.6They shall speak of the might of your awesome deeds, and I will declare your greatness.7They shall pour forth the fame of your abundant goodness and shall sing aloud of your righteousness.8The LORD is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.9The LORD is good to all, and his mercy is over all that he has made.10All your works shall give thanks to you, O LORD, and all your saints shall bless you!11They shall speak of the glory of your kingdom and tell of your power,12to make known to the children of man your mighty deeds, and the glorious splendor of your kingdom.13Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures throughout all generations.[The LORD is faithful in all his words and kind in all his works.]14The LORD upholds all who are falling and raises up all who are bowed down.15The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food in due season.16You open your hand; you satisfy the desire of every living thing.17The LORD is righteous in all his ways and kind in all his works.18The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.19He fulfills the desire of those who fear him; he also hears their cry and saves them.20The LORD preserves all who love him, but all the wicked he will destroy.21My mouth will speak the praise of the LORD, and let all flesh bless his holy name forever and ever.
Gospel: John 1.45-51
45Philip found Nathanael and said to him, "We have found him of whom Moses in the Law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph."46Nathanael said to him, "Can anything good come out of Nazareth?" Philip said to him, "Come and see."47Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and said of him, "Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no deceit!"48Nathanael said to him, "How do you know me?" Jesus answered him, "Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you."49Nathanael answered him, "Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!"50Jesus answered him, "Because I said to you, 'I saw you under the fig tree,' do you believe? You will see greater things than these."51And he said to him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, you will see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending on 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.