Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers And Sisters in Christ:

 

“Come and see.”

 

Gospel Reading: John 1:45-51

 

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.”

 

In today's gospel reading, an Israelite is questioning whether Jesus is truly the Son of God. Nathanael stated, "Can anything good come from Nazareth?" Not only did he question Jesus' authenticity, he kind of smacked him a little for being from the other side of tracks. There are times in our life when we too can become skeptical about the Son of God. We might ask the question, "Was Jesus real?" “Did Jesus really die on the cross for us?” “Did He rise from the dead?” If we question his existence, then how can we find the faith to believe? Instead of arguing with Nathanael, Philip invites him to "come and see" Jesus. To meet Jesus, Nathanael had to rise from his position to encounter Christ. A personal encounter with Jesus opened his heart. There is nothing I can say to make you believe and there is nothing I can do to make you have faith. You must "come and see." This last week, my wife and I went to Poland on Pilgrimage to see Holy spots of Blessed John Paul the Great.  We were there on the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary.  We went to church at the Chapel of St. Maximilian Colby in small town outside Warsaw.  We arrived at the church at 8:30 in the morning and the church was overflowing with people.  The church was so full that people were gathered around the outside of the church in the hot sun praying and participating in the Mass.  They came to see the wonder and glory of our Father.  The families adored Jesus and paid special homage to our Blessed Mother.  As the day went on the crowds continued to build.  It was standing room only in the gardens surrounding the church.  Their faith brought them there and their love for Jesus Christ, the man from Nazareth, allowed them to see the joy of the Mass.  Jesus invites us every Sunday to His alter to "come and see" the miracle of the Eucharist; to ascend to have an encounter with Christ. A chance for us to love and adore him who died to save us from our sins.  We are invited to witness his great works in the miracles we see everyday around us. He also invites us to come and see the Gospels that are alive within us. Nathanael encountered Jesus and through the encounter, his heart was opened so he could experience the love of God. If we "come and see" Christ, He too will open our hearts. Once our hearts are open, the Kingdom of heaven will flow in. He will give us faith. Come and see the goodness of our Lord.

 

A Simple Prayer

 

God I come and see the goodness of the Lord.

Open my heart and fill it with the Holy Spirit so I do not doubt.

Give me the strength to bring people to you so they can come and see.

 

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon