Mass Readings for the Day:
1 John 3:11-21; Psalm 100:1B-2, 3, 4, 5; John 1:43-51
1. In yesterday’s Gospel, Jesus, in a straightforward invitation to the other Apostles, including Andrew and Peter, told them directly, “Come, follow me.” On the other hand, Nathanael (believed to be Saint Bartholomew the Apostle) was called to follow Him through the invitation of Philip the Apostle. Each one of us, like the Apostles, is called to follow Jesus by living a just and righteous life as Catholic. But the manner by which our call is unfolded to us is different from one another. God calls some people by touching their hearts as individuals. Others, however, are called through an intercessor, like how Philip was a mediator for Nathanael to come to God.
Either manner God calls you, what’s important is that you are open to answer His invitation, like how Nathanael accepted Philip’s, when he told him, “Come and see.”
2. Nathanael, being biased that Jesus, the son of Joseph, was from Nazareth, did not feel convinced about Him at first. “Can anything good come from Nazareth?” When they met, Jesus said to Nathanael, “Here is a true child of Israel. There is no duplicity in him.” Such words meant that Nathanael was a true faithful and a righteous Israelite. Nathanael asked, “How do you know me?” Jesus answered him, saying, “Before Philip called you, I saw you under the fig tree.” Like Nathanael, Jesus knows all of us even before we are called.
Initially, Nathanael wondered how Jesus already knew him. But when he heard Him say that he was seen under the fig tree, which was a tree of various spiritual significance in the Old Testament, it became clear to him that what he learned from the Scriptures and the prophecies indeed pointed to no other than this person right in front of him- “Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel.”
We need to do our best in living a true Catholic life to be able to hear, understand and accept God’s calling. Trying to know Jesus and learning about Him more by reading the Gospel and having conversations with Him in prayer are meaningful ways to prepare ourselves to respond to God. If Nathanael did not know the writings of Moses and the prophecies of the prophets, he would not be able to recognize who Jesus truly was. Each day in life, do not allow yourself to miss the opportunity to hear the voices of Jesus, our Blessed Mother, and the Saints speaking inside your heart, just because you do not know Him well. Like maintaining a relationship with a person by spending time often, we must talk with God constantly in prayer to have a deep relationship with Him, and like Nathanael, be able to recognize the inspirations and ways He is unfolding right before you.
3. A “call” from God can both be grand or small. Some are called for consecrated life, like our priests. Others are called to be husbands and wives, and parents in the Sacrament of Matrimony. But each day, all of us have a call from God to simply live a righteous life. This call, be reminded, is not easy; as in the First Reading, it says, “Do not be amazed, then, brothers and sisters, if the world hates you.” Perhaps you’ve experienced how worldly people despise you for living in Godly ways and not being like them. But remain steadfast in being just, even those people try to bring you down, and continue to be firm in your Catholic life, for as the Scripture continues, “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.” Only those of us who earnestly seek to live in God will be able to respond to His call.
A simple prayer I wrote for the day:
Jesus, Mary and Joseph, help me recognize Your voices in my heart so that I will be able to follow You and Your ways everyday of my life.
Special Reminder:
It is the First Friday of the Month and the Year- Day of the Sacred Heart of Jesus
Saint Joseph, pray for us!
Mama Mary, pray for us!
Amen.
She graduated cum laude from the University of Santo Tomas, the country's Pontifical and Catholic university, with an AB in Legal Management and minor units in Theology.
As an unmarried woman, prayer holds a central place in her daily life, with a focus on the Rosary and the Divine Office. Embodying her faith, she emphasizes the growth of her inner spiritual life, guided by the wisdom of Carmelite spirituality.
God manifested to her in a unique and radical manner, which made her know Who He truly is and led her to total surrender of her life to Him.
She has studied the Bible with her family, developing a particular fondness for the Old Testament.
Her adorable and intelligent toy poodle is a delightful companion in her daily life, bringing warmth and joy to her home.
Her hobbies include reading about everything, learning Japanese and German, listening to music and playing the flute.
In her leisure time, she enjoys gaming on PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch OLED, Nintendo 3DS, iOS and OS, and collecting things related to PlayStation and Nintendo.
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