First Reading (Revelation 21:9b-14)
A reading from the Book of Revelation by Saint John.
An angel spoke to me and said, “Come! I will show you the bride, the Lamb’s wife.” Then he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain. He showed me the holy city, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, shining with the glory of God. Its splendor was like that of a most precious stone, like jasper, clear as crystal. It was surrounded by a massive, high wall with twelve gates. At the gates stood twelve angels, and on the gates were written the names of the twelve tribes of Israel. There were three gates on the east, three on the north, three on the south, and three on the west. The wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were written the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.
– The word of the Lord.
– Thanks be to God.
Gospel (John 1,45-51)
Proclamation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint John.
— Glory to you, Lord.
Philip found Nathanael and said to him, “We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.” Nathanael said, “Can anything good come from Nazareth?” Philip answered, “Come and see.” Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and said, “Here comes an Israelite indeed, a man without deceit.” Nathanael asked, “How do you know me?” Jesus answered, “Before Philip called you, while you were under the fig tree, I saw you.” Nathanael answered, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel.” Jesus said, “Do you believe because I said to you, ‘I saw you under the fig tree?’ You will see greater things than these!” And Jesus continued, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you will see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man.”
— Word of the Savior.
— Glory to you, Lord.
Reflecting the Word of God
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
Imagine for a moment that you are standing before a majestic door. It is imposing, adorned with precious stones and mysterious inscriptions. Your heart beats faster, because you know that beyond this door lies something extraordinary, something that surpasses everything you have ever seen or imagined. This is the feeling that John, the author of the Apocalypse, must have experienced when the angel said to him, “Come! I will show you the bride, the Lamb’s wife.”
This amazing scene from our first reading transports us to a heavenly vision, a glimpse of what is to come. John describes the New Jerusalem coming down from heaven, resplendent with the glory of God. But it is not just a city that he sees; it is a bride adorned for her husband. What a powerful and moving image! The Church, all of us collectively, are presented as the bride of Christ.
Reflect with me for a moment on the profound meaning of this metaphor. A bride on her wedding day is at the height of beauty, joy, and anticipation. She has prepared herself carefully, every detail of her appearance reflecting the love she feels for her bridegroom. In the same way, we as the Church are called to adorn ourselves with the virtues of Christ, to reflect His light and love to the world.
John goes on to describe this bride-city in vivid detail. It has “a great and high wall with twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and names inscribed, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel.” Each element of this description is filled with symbolic meaning.
The wall represents the protection and security we have in Christ. The twelve gates, open in all directions, remind us that salvation is available to everyone, from every nation and culture. The names of the twelve tribes of Israel inscribed on the gates show us the continuity between the old and new covenants, reminding us that God’s plan for the redemption of humanity has always been one, since the beginning of time.
But the description doesn’t stop there. John tells us that “the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.” What an incredible honor for these ordinary men who left everything to follow Jesus! Their names, eternally engraved on the foundations of the New Jerusalem, are a lasting testimony to their faith and dedication.
And it is here, my dear brothers and sisters, that our Gospel reading beautifully intertwines with this apocalyptic vision. For in it, we see the moment when one of these apostles—Nathaniel, also known as Bartholomew—meets Jesus for the first time.
The scene begins with Philip, full of excitement, rushing to tell Nathanael: “We have found the one about whom Moses in the Law, and also the prophets, wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.” We can sense the excitement in his words, the joy of someone who has just made a life-changing discovery.
But Nathanael’s response is skeptical, almost dismissive: “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” How often do we react with skepticism when we hear the good news of the Gospel? How often do we let our prejudices, our limited logic, our narrow view of the world prevent us from recognizing God’s work? Philip’s response is simple but profound: “Come and see.” He does not argue, he does not try to convince Nathanael with words. He simply invites him to have a personal encounter with Jesus. And it is this encounter that changes everything. When Jesus sees Nathanael approaching, He greets him with surprising words: “Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no deceit!” Jesus sees beyond appearances, beyond Nathanael’s initial skepticism. He sees the man’s heart, his sincerity, his genuine search for truth. Nathanael, astonished, asks: “From where do you know me?” And Jesus’ response leaves him even more amazed: “Before Philip called you, I saw you under the fig tree.” This is not just an act of clairvoyance; it is a demonstration of God’s intimate and personal knowledge of each of us.
Imagine the scene: Nathanael, alone under the fig tree, perhaps meditating, praying, seeking God in silence. And Jesus saw him. Jesus always sees us, my beloved. In moments of solitude, in times of doubt, in times of searching – He is there, watching with love, waiting for the right moment to reveal Himself.
Nathanael’s response to this encounter is immediate and profound: “Rabbi, you are the Son of God, you are the King of Israel!” In a matter of moments, he goes from skepticism to full faith. This is the transformative power of a personal encounter with Christ.
But Jesus promises Nathanael something even greater: “Truly, truly, I say to you, you will see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.” This imagery evokes Jacob’s vision of the ladder connecting heaven and earth. Jesus is presenting himself as the true link between the divine and the human, the way by which heaven and earth meet.
And isn’t this exactly what we see in John’s vision in Revelation? The New Jerusalem descending from heaven, uniting the divine and the human in perfect harmony. What Jesus promises to Nathanael is a glimpse of this heavenly reality, a foretaste of the glory to come.
My dear brothers and sisters, these readings invite us on a journey of faith and vision. We are called, like Nathanael, to “come and see”—to have a personal encounter with Christ that transforms our view of the world and of ourselves. We are called, like John, to lift up our eyes and behold the glory that God has prepared for those who love Him.
But this vision is not just for the distant future. The New Jerusalem, in a sense, is already among us. Every time we gather as a Church, every time we reach out in love to a brother or sister in need, every time we resist sin and choose holiness, we are building this heavenly city here and now.
We are called to be the living stones of this city, each of us reflecting the light of Christ in our own unique way. Just as the names of the apostles are engraved on the foundations of the New Jerusalem, our lives, our faith, our love leave an eternal mark on God’s plan.
So I challenge you today: be like Philip, inviting others to “come and see” Christ. Be like Nathanael, willing to set aside skepticism and open your hearts to a life-changing encounter with Jesus. Be like John, keeping your eyes fixed on the glory that is to come, even in the midst of the tribulations of this world.
And always remember: just as Jesus saw Nathanael under the fig tree, He sees you. He knows your struggles, your doubts, your fears. He also sees your sincerity, your seeking, your potential. And He is calling you to something greater, to a broader vision, to a life of eternal purpose and meaning.
May we, individually and collectively, respond to that call. May we prepare ourselves as a bride for her groom, adorning ourselves with the virtues of Christ. May our lives be open doors, inviting others to enter and experience God’s love. And may we all one day find ourselves in that heavenly city, where the glory of God illuminates all things and where the Lamb is the eternal lamp.
May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God the Father, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all, now and forever. Amen.
