Join us as we reflect, ponder, and pray together inspired by today's Gospel.
Today's Gospel: John 1:43-51
Three things strike me about the Gospel reading today: First, Philip had the courage to tell Nathanael about Jesus; second, Nathanael was willing to listen; and third, Jesus promises abundant blessings.
The Gospel writer makes it sound so simple, “Philip found Nathanael and told him,” and maybe evangelizing can be that simple. Of course, we need to exercise prudence in how we speak to others, in what context, and with what language. But I find myself wondering if I’ve missed opportunities to share the Good News, even in the last few weeks, because I complicated things on my own terms.
Nathanael replies with doubt, rather than enthusiasm. And yet he is willing to trust Philip and see what’s going on. Again, I wonder when I’ve missed an opportunity that someone else offered me to see Christ. We can all get stuck in what we think a relationship with Christ ought to look like or how we think God ought to respond to a given situation. But have I left room for hope? For the Lord to work in other people’s hearts as much as in my own?
Christ speaks with such ease when he says Nathanael will see “greater things than this. . . . you will see the sky opened and the angels of God ascending and descending with the Son of Man.” Here, too, I see that I have, at times, overcomplicated things. Yes, we need to be faithful and intentional about how we live our lives and what we do with the time and resources we have.
But mercy and grace are freely given, not meted out in a transactional exchange. Do I trust the plans God has for me? Might I renew my faith in His goodness today, just as His mercies are renewed every morning?
Ponder:
What priority do I need to shift today to make room to share Christ with others or to have someone else share Christ with me?
Pray:
Dear Jesus, help me to trust the promises You’ve made to me and to have the courage and grace to share them with someone new today.
Copyright 2023 Lindsay Schlegel
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