In this week’s Gospel we meet Philip and Nathanael, two disciples of St. John the Baptist, who are called to follow Christ in His ministry along with Andrew and his brother Simon (vv. 35-42). Philip, who has only just met the Messiah since the Theophany (Baptism of Christ), not only makes the personal decision to follow Christ, but goes a step further in calling his friend, Nathanael, to join with him.

Philip’s exhortation to Nathanael is a particularly interesting act. First, he demonstrates his understanding of the law and prophecy by recognizing Christ as the Messiah--something which we see many people struggle to accept throughout the Gospels. Secondly, when Nathanael questions the validity of Philip’s claims, Philip responds with three simple words, “come and see,” which are all it takes for Nathanael to make the first steps toward a life in Christ. Philip’s response demonstrates to us how simple it is to share the light of Christ with others. Yes, we can seek to educate and inform others through our words; however, sometimes the most effective way of bringing others to Christ is to simply bring them to experience Him themselves. If we, like Nathanael, are seeking to know God, we must open our hearts and make ourselves available to “come and see” Him by experiencing His love firsthand.

At times we can feel doubtful or hopeless of the world around us and question like Nathanael did when he asked, “can anything good come out of Nazareth?” because, when we are surrounded by darkness and sin, it can be difficult to see the light around and within us. But God continues to show us everyday that He has not forsaken us. St. Isaac the Syrian appropriately says, “Just as a strongly flowing fountain is not blocked up by a handful of earth, so the compassion of the Creator is not overcome by the wickedness of his creatures.” An active life in Christ shows us that goodness, however small, is still present in our hearts through God’s Image. No matter how far you feel you have strayed from God, He can still allow His grace to grow in you through His compassion; all you need to do is take the first step toward Him.

The manner in which Christ calls Nathanael is reflective of the eternal Trinity which was made manifest at the Theophany. First, Jesus’ foreknowledge and the Spirit guide Philip to come to Nathanael with news of the Messiah (v. 45). Second, God demonstrates that He knew Nathanael’s heart even before he was called (v. 48). Third, Jesus mysteriously foretells the miracles of His ministry and His passion of which Nathanael will soon become a witness (vv. 50-51). We see in this passage that Christ truly is, as Philip observed, the fulfillment of Old Testament law and prophesy. Additionally, we see that Christ is indeed God, the Son of Man, Who has humbled Himself in order to open heaven and form a covenantal bridge between God and man.

More than anything, this passage is a message of hope:

1. In Philip’s actions, we find hope that we can genuinely know and preach Christ’s Gospel through experience rather than limiting ourselves to words. St. Francis of Assisi states it perfectly when he says, “Preach the Gospel at all times, when necessary use words.” We should allow ourselves to be transformed into vessels of God so that others can see Him through our actions and come to experience Him themselves.
2. In Nathanael, we see hope that good can come from the most unlikely of places and that God will save you if you open and purify your heart to receiving Him. St. Augustine says, “He Who made you without you, without you cannot save you.” The Christian life is an active one, and we cannot expect to know God if we remain under the fig tree without getting up to experience Him and receive His salvation when He calls.
3. Through Christ, we have hope that we can be reunited with God by emulating His selfless humility in our own lives. As St. John Climacus says, “An angel fell from Heaven without any other passion except pride, and so we may ask whether it is possible to ascend to Heaven by humility alone, without any other of the virtues.” Even at the beginning of His ministry, Christ is working toward His death and resurrection; we too should be working toward our death to this world and climbing the ladder to heaven.

May God guide us to become vessels of His will, purified to receive His wisdom, and grant us hope to receive eternal life in Him.


Questions for Meditation:

1. Reflect on the following Qolo which we sing for Tuesday Compline. “Fear not, sinner, to turn back and tread the way of repentance. For your Lord seeks, and greatly will He rejoice if He finds you. He will stretch out His hand to you as He did to Simon Peter and will forgive your sins like the sinful woman and open to you, as to the thief, Paradise. He will rejoice and bear you on His shoulder, halleluiah! and embrace you.”
2. What steps can you take in your life to become a vessel of Christ?