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.’
Known And Loved
In the Gospel today, Jesus told Nathanael, “There is an Israelite who deserves the name, incapable of deceit.” Jesus recognised that Nathanael was an honest man who did not hide behind pretences. He did not try to impress anyone, not even God, by pretending to be more faithful and certain than he was. He came to Jesus as he was, with his doubts about whether anything good could come from Nazareth, as well as his genuine desire for truth.
Jesus sees beyond our outward appearance and understands us completely. He knows the doubts we carry, the dreams we have, the hurts we endure and even the hidden moments that go unnoticed by others. Knowing us deeply, He does not reject us. Nathanael did not talk to Jesus, but Jesus already knew him. In the same way, we do not need to prove ourselves to God, earn His love or be perfect before coming to Him. The truth is that we are always and forever known and loved by Jesus. Let us go to Jesus with an honest and sincere heart today.
Reflective question:
How does it comfort me to know that Jesus sees me, knows me and loves me fully?
Acknowledgment: Reflections are based on “Prayer for Living: The Word of God for Daily Prayer Year A” by Sr Maria Jose FMVD
