Daily Readings - Thu Aug 24 2023
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
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.