Author: admin

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Gospel: John 1: 43-51

Jesus decided to go to Galilee, and he found Philip. 
And Jesus said to him, “Follow me.” 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 many of us could count on one hand the number of arguments we’ve won with words. 

Maybe none.

These days, there’s often an unwritten rule in social circles: do not speak about politics, religion, or even COVID, unless everyone present already agrees.

Arguments are rarely won with words.

What changes a person’s perspective is personal experience.

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In today’s Gospel, Philip tells his friend, Nathanael, that he’s found Jesus, the one whom all of the prophets have foretold!

Nathanael doesn’t believe him. “Can anything good come from Nazareth?” he says skeptically, as if he’s picking a fight.

Instead of arguing with him, Philip simply says, “Come and see.”

Nathanael needs that personal experience with Jesus before he can change his mind and, ultimately, believe.

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I’m sure we all know someone like Nathanael, who’s lacking faith in God, faith in the Church, or both.

Lofty arguments are unlikely to persuade them; what we can do is invite them to, “Come and see.”

After all, it’s written into our parish vision statement! (“We are all generations journeying together with Jesus to satisfy our hungry hearts. Come and see!”)

We invite people here. Then, like Philip, we leave the rest to Jesus. 

I’ve seen it happen many times: the love that people experience in our community does, in fact, convert minds and hearts.

“Come and see!”

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Image credits: (1) Christ Church United Methodist (2) Matt’s Bible Blog, WordPress (3) Hampton Roads Church

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Gospel: John 1:29-34

John the Baptist saw Jesus coming toward him and said,
“Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.
He is the one of whom I said,
‘A man is coming after me who ranks ahead of me
because he existed before me.’
I did not know him,
but the reason why I came baptizing with water
was that he might be made known to Israel.”
John testified further, saying,
“I saw the Spirit come down like a dove from the sky
and remain upon him.
I did not know him,
but the one who sent me to baptize with water told me,
‘On whomever you see the Spirit come down and remain,
he is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’
Now I have seen and testified that he is the Son of God.”

The Gospel of the Lord.

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Today we celebrate the Feast of the Most Holy Name of Jesus.

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Whenever someone is given a name in the bible, it means that person has given a special mission by God.

The name, “Jesus,” for example, comes from the Hebrew name Yeshua, meaning, “to deliver or to rescue.” Thus, Jesus will “rescue” God’s people from death.

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In the sacrament of Confirmation, we are also given a new name. It’s meant to signify either our purpose in life, or to acknowledge someone who’s inspired us on our journey of faith.

For example, my confirmation name is Francis after Saint Francis De Sales, who, wrote a book called An Introduction to the Devout Life.

He wrote this book to a fictional person named Philothea, meaning, “Lover of God.” It’s why I chose the name, Francis.

All I want to be in life is a, “lover of God.”

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Do you have a confirmation name? Or a favorite Saint?

How does that person inspire you?

Maybe it’s Francis of Assisi, the Patron Saint of animals. Or Thérèse of Lisieux, the Patron Saint of missionaries and the sick.

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This Feast of the Holy Name reminds that we all have a “name,” and by extension, a calling in life.

Jesus came to save us from our sins.

I’m aspiring to be a “lover of God.”.

What about you?

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Image credits: (1) Reston Bible Church (2) CatholicArt, Pinterest (3) oneintheirhearts.com, WordPress

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Gospel: John 1: 19-28

This is the testimony of John. 
When the Jews from Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to him
to ask him, “Who are you?”
He admitted and did not deny it, but admitted,
“I am not the Christ.” 
So they asked him,
“What are you then? Are you Elijah?” 
And he said, “I am not.” 
“Are you the Prophet?”
He answered, “No.” 
So they said to him,
“Who are you, so we can give an answer to those who sent us? 
What do you have to say for yourself?”
He said:
“I am the voice of one crying out in the desert,
‘Make straight the way of the Lord,’
as Isaiah the prophet said.” 
Some Pharisees were also sent. 
They asked him,
“Why then do you baptize
if you are not the Christ or Elijah or the Prophet?” 
John answered them,
“I baptize with water;
but there is one among you whom you do not recognize,
the one who is coming after me,
whose sandal strap I am not worthy to untie.” 
This happened in Bethany across the Jordan,
where John was baptizing.

The Gospel of the Lord.

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“Who are you?” This was what every Jew and scholar of the Law wanted to know about John the Baptist. 

“Who are you? Why are you here? What’s your purpose?”

Questions we all ask about ourselves.

While the answer for each person is unique, there are four things we can all say about ourselves.

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We are loved by God. So loved that Jesus offers himself for us on a cross.

We are irreplaceable. There never has been and never will be another you. God makes each human being with a unique fingerprint, a singular combination of gifts, talents, personality, and purpose.

We are part of God’s family, the Church. Therefore, we are never alone; we are all parts of a greater whole.

We are a dwelling place of the Holy Spirit. Through baptism, God makes his home within us. It’s this Spirit who teaches, guides, sanctifies, and supports us through life.

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So, “Who are you?”

We are unique, created with a singular purpose, like John the Baptist.

Take a few moments today to bring this to prayer. Ask the Lord to reveal why he created you – and what purpose he’s given you for this day.

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Image credits: (1) Man with question mark. Wyoming Department of Health. (2) John the Baptist in the Wilderness, Geertgen tot sint Jans (3) You are Unique, C-Life