Come and See - Am I Ready?

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season : 20 Week : Thursday*

*Feast of St Bartholomew, Apostle*

*Gospel : Jn 1:45–51*

*First Reading : Rv 21:9b–14*

*Come and See - Am I Ready?*

*1) The background of Come and See*

In today's Gospel we have this important phrase *Come and See*

When Philip told *We have found the one about whom Moses wrote in the law, and also the prophets, Jesus son of Joseph, from Nazareth.”* to Nathanael, He replied saying *“Can anything good come from Nazareth?”*

To this reply of Nathanael, Philip tells him *“Come and see.”*

*2) Nathanael's Opinion about Nazareth*

Nazareth was a city roughly 55 miles north of Jerusalem. During the time of Jesus, the Jews held those from Nazareth, a city within the region of Galilee, in low esteem. 

Nathanael’s mocking question, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” foreshadows the fact that Jesus would be mocked more earnestly by others (cf. John 7:42). 

Psalm 22:6–7 describes the Christ as being “scorned by everyone, despised by the people” as “they hurl insults, shaking their heads.” Isaiah 53:3 describes the Christ as “despised and rejected by mankind.” It is possible these passages are the prophecies to which Matthew alludes in his statement “He would be called a Nazarene.”

Jesus was foolish and weak and lowly and despised in the estimation of this world (cf. John 19:1–5), and to top it off, He was from Nazareth. Jesus is the ultimate example of God utilizing the weak (according to human standards) to shame the wise (also according to human standards) for the purpose of glorifying Himself.

*3) Nathanael's Willingness to Come and See*

We see the background why Nathanael said *What good can come from Nazareth?*

Yet he was ready to come and see what was happening 

So he accompanied Philip and came to meet Jesus 

*4) Reaction of Nathanael after seeing/meeting Jesus*

When Jesus saw Nathanael coming towards Him, Jesus said *“Here is a true child of Israel. There is no duplicity in him.”*

This comment might have made Nathanael to think about His own personality and also the person of Jesus 

After talking to Jesus Nathanael realises that Jesus is not an ordinary man. That is why he says *“Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel.”*

Jesus also tells Him that *You will see greater things than this.”*

All these things happened because he was ready to come and see for himself about the things which he heard from Nathanael

*5) Coming and Seeing is the way for the revelation of greater Things*

This is very clear from the life of Nathanael

To come and see, one needs humility and one needs to verify the pre conceived ideas in order to know the correct things 

Nathanael did the same, and the greater things of divine nature was revealed to him

*6) Come and See - are you ready?*

Come and see in the Scriptures - You will see greater things

Come and see the Eucharist - you will see greater things 

Come and see the confession, you will see the beauty of God's mercy 

Come and see service, you see God in it 

Come and see the sacrifice, generosity you will see the heavenly richness in it 

Come and see the family, you will find the treasure in it 

So are you ready to come and See?

*Think about it*

*God bless you and your family. Praying for you and your dear ones*

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*