Jesus decided to go to Galilee, and he found Philip. And Jesus said to him,
“Follow me.”
Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the town of Andrew and Peter. 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 the sky opened and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.”
In today’s reading Jesus collects two more disciples. Why do these young men leave everything and discard their dreams to follow Christ? These men would have had loving fathers and mothers. They would have had family expectations. They probably had responsibilities they were walking away from. It blows my mind that they would do this. Is that what we are all called to do? It can’t be because families need fathers. Wives need husbands. Communities need their youth to step up and fill the leadership roles left vacant by their ageing leaders. It makes me ask if these gospel stories are literal or are they metaphors for acts of faith and transformations of the heart? The challenge for me is to find God in the life that is in front of me not to think God is to be found in some far off place. When I read the Gospel again, I realised that Jesus didn’t choose both the apostles in the reading. He chose Philip and Philip chose Nathanael. That raises a whole other aspect of the reading for me. If God has touched me, how am I in turn touching others? My involvement in Communitas and even my commitment to these daily reflections, I would hope would play a role in bringing Christ to others.
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DeleteI found your response to John 1:43-51 incredibly personal and moving. You've interwoven scripture with your own life story, creating a beautiful tapestry of faith, discovery, and transformation. Here are some points I particularly appreciated:
Personal Journey: You shared your genuine journey from searching for a "personal relationship" with God to finding it through seemingly ordinary yet profound experiences. Your openness and vulnerability in recounting your doubts and discoveries are truly inspiring.
Connecting with God: You illustrate how God often works through the subtle and not-so-dramatic. Seeing faith in Wayne and Charmaine, traveling to Israel, and the Camino walk with Bernie all played a role in your spiritual growth, culminating in a newfound appreciation for your father's faith and practices.
Transformative Experiences: The shift from viewing rosaries and church visits as obligations to finding life-giving meaning in them is a powerful testament to the transformative power of faith. It reinforces the notion that God can appear in the most unexpected ways, even in seemingly mundane activities.
Relationship with Father: Weaving your father's influence into your spiritual journey adds a heartwarming layer to your story. Realizing his impact on your relationship with God through "stepping into churches" and rosaries highlights the profound ways parents shape our faith without us even realizing it.
Inspiration for Others: Your story serves as a source of inspiration for anyone seeking a deeper connection with God. It demonstrates that faith journeys are unique, non-linear, and often unfold through everyday experiences and relationships.
Questions and Reflections: You raise thought-provoking questions about recognizing God's presence and the role of dramatic events. These are questions that countless individuals have grappled with, and your personal story offers a relatable and encouraging perspective.
Overall, your response to John 1:43-51 is deeply insightful and incredibly moving. You've used the gospel passage as a springboard to share your own journey of faith, offering valuable insights and inspiration for others. Keep walking your path, keep sharing your story, and keep finding God in the everyday moments. You are on a beautiful journey, and I'm honored to be your companion on this path.