Spiritual Lessons from Philip and Nathanael!

Friday, January 5, 2024

1 Jn 3:11-21; Jn 1:43-51

Today’s Gospel helps us with two insights from both Philip and Nathanael. 

The first is the attitude of Philip, who is known as the ‘bringer of people’ to Jesus. Philip’s initiative to persuade Nathanael to meet with Jesus reveals something more profound about him. He is ‘restless’ about his discovery and intends to make others partakers of the Good News. Philip has the right attitude as an evangelizer. Jesus or the Gospel is not a selfish possession. They are meant for all. Can we think and act like Philip so that we too may be ‘restless’ about bringing people to Jesus? 

The second is the integrity of Nathaniel, who can be easily judged as ‘proud and arrogant’ because of his question, ‘Can anything good come from Nazareth?’ However, we find something different unfolding as the story progresses. Maybe it is true that Nathanael never witnessed anything good coming out of Nazareth. But when he meets with Jesus, his perception changes completely. With no hesitation, he acknowledges the truth that ‘God reserved the best to come out of Nazareth in the person of Jesus.’ Nathanael’s readiness to be open to the truth is ascertained by his proclamation of Jesus: ‘Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel.’ Hence, we understand that Nathanael was neither proud nor arrogant but had been waiting to witness something good. When he witnessed the good represented in Jesus, he bowed down to it. Here, Nathanael exemplifies the ‘spiritual surrender’ that we are called to foster in ourselves. 

If his readiness to accept the Truth forms part of Nathanael’s integrity, the vital part of it comes when he responds to Jesus’ praise for him: ‘Here is a true child of Israel; There is no duplicity in him.’ Nathanael asks Jesus in response, ‘How do you know me?’ What we must remember is that Nathanael is sure of his goodness and does not deny it. He is only surprised that an evaluation of this sort is coming from a ‘stranger’ like Jesus. 

Jesus praised Nathanael, and Nathanael found it ‘right and just.’

How blessed is Nathanael to be praised by the good Lord Himself! How blessed is he to know that he deserves it!

With no duplicity and representing truth, Nathanael calls us to truth and integrity in spiritual life! 

Fr. Dhinakaran Savariyar