Daily Reflections ...

This Gospel encounter with Jesus is both direct and very powerful. St Bartholomew, identified in this passage as Nathanael, responded to his friend Philip’s invitation to come and see ‘Jesus, son of Joseph, from Nazareth’.  Despite his initial doubt that anything good could come from Nazareth, Nathanael followed Philip.  To be welcomed by Jesus as an Israelite, incapable of deceit, indicated Jesus’ deep awareness of who Nathanael truly was.  His response, ‘Where did you get to know me?’ is worthy of further reflection.

God created and looks upon the beauty of the heavens and the earth.  But more importantly, he looks at us. He sent Jesus to die for us.  He did not send Jesus to die for the mountains, the oceans or the trees. He died for us, so that we may know of His great love for each of us.  Nathanael’s sincerity of heart allowed him to proclaim that Jesus was the Son of God.  His immediate but deep trust in the one he had just met, paved the way for him to become the great Apostle Bartholomew, one of the twelve foundation stones of the Church.

Today’s feast reminds us that Jesus looks at us, knows us, and desires that we look at Him.  Eucharistic Adoration provides an opportunity to move from under our own fig tree, to come and really see. Jesus sometimes sends friends to call us into a deeper relationship with Him. If we respond as Nathanael did, giving sincere witness to the truth of His presence in our everyday lives, we too, will experience ourselves intimately loved by Him.

by Margaret O’Shea