Daily Catholic Mass Readings for August 24, 2018
First Reading: Revelation 21.9b-14
9One of the seven angels who had the seven bowls full of the seven last plagues came and said to me, "Come, I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb."10And he carried me away in the Spirit to a mountain great and high, and showed me the Holy City, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God.11It shone with the glory of God, and its brilliance was like that of a very precious jewel, like a jasper, clear as crystal.12It had a great, high wall with twelve gates, and with twelve angels at the gates. On the gates were written the names of the twelve tribes of Israel.13There were three gates on the east, three on the north, three on the south and three on the west.14The wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.
Psalm 145
1I will exalt you, my God the King; I will praise your name for ever and ever.2Every day I will praise you and extol your name for ever and ever.3Great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom.4One generation will commend your works to another; they will tell of your mighty acts.5They will speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty, and I will meditate on your wonderful works.6They will tell of the power of your awesome works, and I will proclaim your great deeds.7They will celebrate your abundant goodness and joyfully sing of your righteousness.8The LORD is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love.9The LORD is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made.10All you have made will praise you, O LORD; your saints will extol you.11They will tell of the glory of your kingdom and speak of your might,12so that all men may know of your mighty acts and the glorious splendor of your kingdom.13Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures through all generations. The LORD is faithful to all his promises and loving toward all he has made.14The LORD upholds all those who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down.15The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food at the proper time.16You open your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing.17The LORD is righteous in all his ways and loving toward all he has made.18The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.19He fulfills the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cry and saves them.20The LORD watches over all who love him, but all the wicked he will destroy.21My mouth will speak in praise of the LORD. Let every creature praise his holy name for ever and ever.
Gospel: John 1.45-51
45Philip found Nathanael and told him, "We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote--Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph."46"Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?" Nathanael asked. "Come and see," said Philip.47When Jesus saw Nathanael approaching, he said of him, "Here is a true Israelite, in whom there is nothing false."48"How do you know me?" Nathanael asked. Jesus answered, "I saw you while you were still under the fig tree before Philip called you."49Then Nathanael declared, "Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel."50Jesus said, "You believe because I told you I saw you under the fig tree. You shall see greater things than that."51He then added, "I tell you the truth, you shall see heaven open, 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 New Jerusalem, the bride of the Lamb, descending from heaven in all its glory. This vision is not just a description of a place but a symbol of God’s ultimate plan to dwell among His people, free from sin and suffering. The city’s gates and foundations, inscribed with the names of the tribes of Israel and the Apostles, remind us of the unity and continuity of God’s covenant with His people. This is a vision of hope, a reminder that our ultimate home is with God, where He will wipe away every tear.
In the Gospel, we encounter a very human moment of doubt and faith. Nathanael’s skepticism about whether anything good can come from Nazareth reflects our own tendencies to judge based on appearances or limited understanding. Yet, when Philip invites him to “come and see,” Nathanael is transformed by his encounter with Jesus. Jesus’ knowledge of Nathanael’s heart and His promise of greater things to come open Nathanael’s eyes to the divine. This exchange teaches us that faith often begins with an invitation to step beyond our doubts and trust in God’s revelation.
Both readings invite us to reflect on our own journey of faith. Like Nathanael, we are called to move beyond our limited perspectives and trust in God’s plan. The vision of the New Jerusalem reminds us that our ultimate hope is not in this world but in the eternal life God promises. Let us, like Philip, invite others to “come and see” the beauty of God’s love. And let us, like Nathanael, be open to the ways God reveals Himself to us, even in unexpected places. May we live each day with the hope and trust that comes from knowing we are part of God’s plan, and may we never stop seeking the greater things He has in store for us.