Tag: Saint John Neumann

“You will see greater things than this.” | Memorial of Saint John Neumann, Bishop

A reading from the holy Gospel according to John (Jn 1:43-51)

Nathanael said to [Jesus], “How do you know me?” Jesus answered and said to him, “Before Philip called you, I saw you under the fig tree.” Nathanael answered him, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel.”

Phillip invites his fellow townsman Nathanael to meet Jesus, but Nathanael initially voices skepticism, questioning Jesus’ divine identity. He is “son of Joseph, from Nazareth,” Philip tells Nathanael. Jesus responds to Nathanael’s skepticism with a display of divine knowledge, revealing that he was aware of Nathanael’s presence under a fig tree, to which Nathanael confesses Jesus as the Son of God and the King of Israel. “You will see greater things than this,” Jesus tells Nathanael. “You will see the sky opened and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.” Aware of the innermost intentions of his disciples, and of all people, Jesus calls each of us by name to follow him and remain with him.

God, I look to you with hope in your mercy that you judge me not by external appearances—as I tend to judge others—but by who I am. You know me more intimately than I know myself. Help me recognize in Nathanael’s first encounter with Jesus that you also know me by name, you call me to follow you, and that faith is necessary to know you and move beyond appearances. What are the tasks you hand to me today? Whatever they are, make clear to me your will; give me the grace to me be a means of your justice and mercy. As Saint John says in the first reading: “Children, let us love not in word or speech but in deed and truth.”

From the first reading: “Now this is how we shall know that we belong to the truth and reassure our hearts before him in whatever our hearts condemn, for God is greater than our hearts and knows everything. Beloved, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence in God.” Saint John Neumann, pray for us!

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Memorial of Saint John Neumann, Bishop

A reading from the holy Gospel according to John

Nathanael answered him, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel.” Jesus answered and said to him, “Do you believe because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than this.” And he said to him, “Amen, amen, I say to you, you will see the sky opened and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.”

As in yesterday’s reading, where Andrew brought Peter to Jesus, Philip brings his brother Nathanael to him. It’s clear that Jesus already knows him, not merely superficially, but he knows his character. “Here is a true child of Israel,” Jesus says of him. “There is no duplicity in him.” Jesus meets Nathanael where he is in his astonishment, and Nathanael acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, giving confident witness to his divinity. In turn, Jesus responds to his faith by telling him what is in store for him: “the sky opened and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.” If Jesus were to meet me as I go about my day, what might he call me? As he called Nathanael a “true child of Israel,” in what way would he identify my character?

Here I am, Jesus. You see me and you already know me. The wonders you tell Nathanael he will be a witness to—where has that been in my life? Have I seen the sky opened or the angels of God ascending and descending on you? I haven’t, but I should always be prepared for God to accomplish the seemingly impossible. What I have seen is that when I turn away from you, you are always present and ready to take me back as I am in unconditional love. What I believe and at the same time struggle to believe is that whether I feel it or not, whether tangible or intangible, you are Love itself, present to me in my heart and in the sacraments. Again today in the Gospel, a brother brings a brother to you. Give me the grace and the means to bring a brother or sister to you today, to give witness to your unconditional love and mercy.

Lord, let your word remain with me today. From the first reading, John writes: “If someone who has worldly means sees a brother in need and refuses him compassion, how can the love of God remain in him? Children, let us love not in word or speech but in deed and truth.” You know me, Lord; help me be who you know me to be.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

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