First reading Daniel 7:9-10,13-14
His robe was white as snow
As I watched:
Thrones were set in place
and one of great age took his seat.
His robe was white as snow,
the hair of his head as pure as wool.
His throne was a blaze of flames,
its wheels were a burning fire.
A stream of fire poured out,
issuing from his presence.
A thousand thousand waited on him,
ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him.
A court was held
and the books were opened.
I gazed into the visions of the night.
And I saw, coming on the clouds of heaven,
one like a son of man.
He came to the one of great age
and was led into his presence.
On him was conferred sovereignty,
glory and kingship,
and men of all peoples, nations and languages became his servants.
His sovereignty is an eternal sovereignty
which shall never pass away,
nor will his empire ever be destroyed.
Responsorial Psalm 137(138):1-5
In the presence of the angels I will bless you, O Lord.
I thank you, Lord, with all my heart:
you have heard the words of my mouth.
In the presence of the angels I will bless you.
I will adore before your holy temple.
I thank you for your faithfulness and love,
which excel all we ever knew of you.
On the day I called, you answered;
you increased the strength of my soul.
All earth’s kings shall thank you
when they hear the words of your mouth.
They shall sing of the Lord’s ways:
‘How great is the glory of the Lord!’
Gospel John 1:47-51
You will see heaven laid open, and the Son of Man
When Jesus saw Nathanael coming he said of him, ‘There is an Israelite who deserves the name, incapable of deceit.’ ‘How do you know me?’ said Nathanael. ‘Before Philip came to call you,’ said Jesus ‘I saw you under the fig tree.’ Nathanael answered, ‘Rabbi, you are the Son of God, you are the King of Israel.’ Jesus replied, ‘You believe that just because I said: I saw you under the fig tree. You will see greater things than that.’ And then he added ‘I tell you most solemnly, you will see heaven laid open and, above the Son of Man, the angels of God ascending and descending.’
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The angels of today
In today’s passage, Jesus used an Old Testament image of “heaven open and the angels of God ascending and descending” (Genesis 28:10-22). Christian tradition has always understood that angels are God’s messengers. Today, Jesus wants to remind us that He is the one on whom the angels of God are ascending and descending. Jesus, the Word made flesh, is the ultimate messenger that reveals the true face of God. He is the supreme link between heaven and earth, God and humanity.
Today, as His disciples, Jesus sends us to be God’s messengers, His angels to the people we encounter daily. We need to be aware that our words and actions can bring people to God. Thus, let us fix our eyes on Jesus and allow Him to lead us into deeper intimacy with Him so that we can be empowered and strengthened to communicate God’s love. Through us, may we bring heaven to earth.
Reflective question:
How can I be God’s messenger and reveal His presence to the people I will meet today?
How can I be God’s messenger and reveal His presence to the people I will meet today?
Acknowledgment: Reflections are based on “Prayer for Living: The Word of God for Daily Prayer Year C” by Sr Sandra Seow FMVD.
