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From: John 1:47-51

The Calling of the First Disciples (Continuation)

[47] Jesus saw Nathaniel coming to Him, and said to him, "Behold, an Israelite
indeed, in whom is no guile!" [48] Nathaniel said to Him, "How do you
know me?" Jesus answered him, "Before Philip called you, when you were
under the fig tree, I saw you." [49] Nathaniel answered Him, "Rabbi,
you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel! [50] Jesus
answered him, "Because I said to you, I saw you under the fig tree, do
you believe? You shall see greater things than these." [51] And He
said to him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, you will see Heaven opened,
and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man."

Commentary:

45-51. The Apostle Philip is so moved that he cannot but tell his
friend Nathanael (Bartholomew) about his wonderful discovery (verse
45). "Nathanael had heard from Scripture that Jesus must come from
Bethlehem, from the people of David. This belief prevailed among the
Jews and also the prophet had proclaimed it of old, saying: `But you, O
Bethlehem, who are little to be among the clans of Judah, from you
shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler of Israel' (Micah 5:2).
Therefore, when he heard that He was from Nazareth, he was troubled and
in doubt, since he found that the announcement of Philip was not in
agreement with the words of the prophecy" (St. John Chrysostom, "Hom.
on St. John", 20, 1).

A Christian may find that, in trying to communicate his faith to
others, they raise difficulties. What should he do? What Philip
did--not trust his own explanation, but invite them to approach Jesus
personally: "Come and see" (verse 46). In other words, a Christian
should bring his fellow-men, his brothers into Jesus' presence through
the means of grace which He has given them and which the Church
ministers--frequent reception of the sacraments, and devout Christian
practices.

Nathanael, a sincere person (verse 47), goes along with Philip to see
Jesus; he makes personal contact with our Lord (verse 48), and the
outcome is that he receives faith (the result of his ready reception of
grace, which reaches him through Christ's human nature: verse 49).

As far as we can deduce from the Gospels, Nathanael is the first
Apostle to make an explicit confession of faith in Jesus as Messiah and
as Son of God. Later on St. Peter, in a more formal way, will
recognize our Lord's divinity (cf. Matthew 16:16). Here (verse 51)
Jesus evokes a text from Daniel (7:13) to confirm and give deeper
meaning to the words spoken by His new disciple.

Source: "The Navarre Bible: Text and Commentaries". Biblical text
taken from the Revised Standard Version and New Vulgate. Commentaries
made by members of the Faculty of Theology of the University of
Navarre, Spain. Published by Four Courts Press, Kill Lane, Blackrock,
Co. Dublin, Ireland.

FEAST OF THE DAY

The Archangels Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael are three servants of
God who are mentioned throughout both Old and New Testaments
of the Bible. These angels bear witness to God's transcendence and
loving care for us. The three archangels we honor today are the only
angelic messengers whose deeds are mentioned by specifically in
Scripture.

Michael, whose name means "Who is like God", appears in the Book
of Daniel as "the great prince" who defends Israel against its
enemies. Michael is also mentioned in the Book of Revelation as the
one who leads God's armies to finally victory over the forces of
Satan. Devotion to Michael was common in the East during the
fourth century and the Church in the West began to observe the
feast sometime in the fifth century.

Gabriel, whose name means "God's Strength", also is mentioned in
the Book of Daniel. He is the messenger who announces the role of
Michael in God's plan. His best known appearance in the Bible is
when he appeared to the Blessed Virgin Mary to announce her great
place in God's plan as the mother of the Messiah.

Raphael, whose name means "God's Remedy", is mentioned in the
Old Testament exclusively in the Book of Tobit. Here, he acts as a
guide to Tobiah in his adventures. Raphael is instrumental in
bringing about the happy ending where Tobbiah is married, Tobit is
healed of blindness, and Tobit's family fortune is restored.

QUOTE OF THE DAY

In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of
Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named
Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin's name was Mary. And
coming to her, he said, "Hail, favored one! The Lord is with you." But
she was greatly troubled at what was said and pondered what sort of
greeting this might be. Then the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid,
Mary, for you have found favor with God. Behold, you will conceive in
your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus. He will
be great and will be called Son of the Most High, and the Lord God
will give him the throne of David his father, and he will rule over the
house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom their will be no end." -Lk
1:26-34

TODAY IN HISTORY

440 Election of Pope Leo I "the Great"
557 Death of St. Cyriacus the Recluse
1582 Death of St. Theresa

TODAY'S TIDBIT

Prayer to St. Michael
St. Michael the Archangel,
Defend us in battle
Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil;
May God rebuke him, we humbly pray;
And do you, O Prince of the heavenly host,
By the power of God, thrust into hell
Satan and all evil spirits
Who wander through the world
For the ruin of souls.
Amen

INTENTION FOR THE DAY

Please pray, through the intercession of the Archangels, for all the
ordained ministers of the Church.