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Gospel: John 1: 45-51
Philip found Nathanael and told him,
“We have found the one about whom Moses wrote in the law,
and also the prophets, Jesus son of Joseph, from Nazareth.”
But Nathanael said to him,
“Can anything good come from Nazareth?”
Philip said to him, “Come and see.”
Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and said of him,
“Here is a true child of Israel.
There is no duplicity in him.”
Nathanael said to him, “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.”
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 heaven opened and the angels of God
ascending and descending on the Son of Man.”
The Gospel of the Lord.
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I’m sure we all have a favorite picture or family portrait hanging on a wall at home. Maybe it’s a picture from your wedding day; a photo of a family reunion; or a picture of your pet.
Mine is an icon of Jesus.
I pray before it every morning before celebrating Mass. His is the first face I see. It’s a picture I’ve had for a few years, yet every time I see it is as if it’s the very first time.
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When looking at your favorite picture, one thing you might not think about is the nail behind the frame. Once that nail is driven into the wall and latches onto a frame, it’s no longer visible.
Naturally, we tend to forget about it. But without that nail, the frame would slide off of the wall, shattering the glass across the floor.
In that sense, a nail serves two purposes: it brings two separate objects together – in this case, attaching a picture frame to a wall – and it provides enduring support.
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In today’s Gospel, the Apostle Philip plays the role of a nail.
He brings his brother, Nathanael, to Christ, then provides ongoing support along his journey.
It’s what we’re all called to do – invite people to Jesus, then support them along the way. If we disappear into the background in the process, that’s okay; it’s not about us, anyway.
It’s all about bringing two objects – in this case, two souls – together for the greater glory of God.
How might I be someone else’s “nail” today?
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Image credits: (1) (2) Ponderings on a Faith Journey (3) The Hymn Society