See Greater Things – Reflection on John 1:45-51
This reflection on Nathanial is an extremely personal experience in my past that I look back on frequently. I hope that it resonates with your own. It occurred in one of my hikes almost two decades ago as I sat still in the silence deep into a forest: Am I heading to where God expects me? I can’t shake the fact that my mind is crammed full of ideas and things I must do. Why do I have so little time? Yet, I recognize a flaw in my thoughts for a split second of a breath. I feel internal deceit. Have I been making my life’s path without God’s assistance? A glance at a pair of crossed tree branches reveals the radiance of Christ and heaven that is touchable only by believing is my new truth. Fully embracing this intellectual thinking allows me to stop resisting and accept God’s will. I agree at this moment to frequently become still so Jesus can see me resting under the “fig tree” to allow me to see greater things. As a result of the walk that day, I have witnessed many tiny greater things I would not have noticed previously.
Nathaniel Under the Fig Tree by James Tissot (full resolution painting)
More details are available on the Brooklyn Museum website.
Additional Ordinary Time Reflections
John 1:45-51 – Scripture*
45 Philip found Nathanael and said to him, “We have found him about whom Moses in the law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus son of Joseph from Nazareth.” 46 Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.” 47 When Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him, he said of him, “Here is truly an Israelite in whom there is no deceit!” 48 Nathanael asked him, “Where did you get to know me?” Jesus answered, “I saw you under the fig tree before Philip called you.” 49 Nathanael replied, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!” 50 Jesus answered, “Do you believe because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than these.” 51 And he said to him, “Very truly, I tell you, you will see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man.”
Additional Thoughts
Thank you for meditating on this Gospel and reading this Lectio Divina on John 1:45-51 Reflection – See Greater Things.
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Prayer for young families:
Lord, let the young families of our communities get to know your joy, peace, comfort, and love despite the world’s distractions.
Attributions
This site has written permission to use the New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE) Bible John 1 Bible passage.
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