5 January, 2024 | Christmas Weekday | Memorial of Saint John H Neumann, Bishop

 Gospel Jn 1:43-51

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."

Reflection: 

Jesus calling Philip to follow Him is the divine initiative of  choosing and calling individuals to be His chosen disciples. We too are called by Jesus to follow Him and some especially  called to religious life and  priesthood. It is a reminder that our Call is of Divine initiative and not by personal choice. He called us to be with him and make him known to others. When Jesus called Philip, he left everything and followed Him immediately. This reminds us of the importance of obedience and responding promptly to God's call especially in times which are difficult to accept.

Activity: 

Seek opportunities through personal witness to proclaim Jesus’ message, and  helo discernment of  vocations to the Church.