Daily Readings - Sat Aug 24 2019
Revelation
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.
John
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
In today’s readings, we are invited to reflect on the vision of God’s ultimate plan for humanity and the call to recognize Jesus as the Messiah. The first reading from Revelation paints a vivid picture of the New Jerusalem, the bride of the Lamb, descending from heaven. This city is not just a physical place but a symbol of God’s eternal presence among His people, a place of beauty, light, and perfect order. The twelve gates and twelve foundations signify the unity and completeness of God’s people, with the names of the tribes of Israel and the Apostles representing the continuity of God’s covenant from the Old Testament to the New.
The Gospel reading from John continues this theme of revelation and recognition. Philip introduces Nathanael to Jesus, and Nathanael, though initially skeptical, comes to faith when Jesus reveals His knowledge of Nathanael’s heart. Jesus’ words, “You will see greater things than these,” remind us that our faith is not static but dynamic, leading us to deeper encounters with God. Nathanael’s profession of faith, “You are the Son of God, the King of Israel,” shows the transformative power of encountering Christ.
These readings remind us that our lives are part of a larger story—God’s story of love and redemption. Like Nathanael, we are called to move beyond doubt and skepticism to a place of trust and faith. The vision of the New Jerusalem encourages us to live with hope, knowing that God is building a community of love and light. Let us ask for the grace to recognize God’s presence in our lives, to trust in His plan, and to live as part of His holy city, even as we journey through this world.