Become Still – John 1:43-51 Reflection
Are we following God in the way Trinty expects? Our minds are full of ideas and things to do within so little time. Yet, within a breath, we can recognize a flaw in this split second. We are duplicitous and often make our paths without first “sitting under the fig tree” in the stillness of the day. Instead, we must constantly glance at the radiance of Christ and heaven that is touchable only by believing. On a personal retreat at a monastery, the head monk repeating Jesus’s words said that I should become still to see greater things. This single observation that transformed my day is now decades old. I constantly hear it calling me into the stillness of every early morning since to appreciate deep prayer with the Lord. This precious time has indeed allowed me to see greater things.
Nathaniel Under the Fig Tree by James Tissot (full-resolution image of painting).
More details are available on the Brooklyn Museum website.
Additional Christmastide Reflections
John 1:43-51 – Scripture*
Jesus Calls Philip and Nathanael
43 The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, “Follow me.” 44 Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. 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 1:43-51 Reflection – Become Still
Would you like to contribute related thoughts to these Lectio reflections on the Gospel readings? Since Lectio is not the only contemplative prayer style, others might appreciate these types of expressions in this ministry. Do you see God’s grandeur everywhere and unconditionally enjoy sharing the love of Christ that you have inside? Are you willing to be anonymous in what you would share? If so, email me.
Prayer for young families:
Lord, let the young families of our communities get to know your joy, peace, comfort, and love despite worldly distractions.
Attributions
*This site has permission to use the New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE) Bible John 1 passage.
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Page and discussion group on these Lectio Divina daily Gospel Readings.
Discussion group on St. John of the Cross.