Daily Readings - Thu Aug 24 2023
Revelation
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.
John
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.