First Reading (1 John 3:11-21)
Reading from the First Letter of Saint John.
Beloved, this is the message you have heard from the beginning: we should love one another, unlike Cain who belonged to the Evil One and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his own deeds were evil, while those of his brother were righteous. Do not be surprised, brothers and sisters, if the world hates you. We know that we have passed from death to life because we love our brothers and sisters. The one who does not love remains in death. Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life remaining in him. This is how we have come to know love: Christ laid down his life for us. Therefore, we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. If someone has worldly goods and sees his brother in need, but refuses him compassion, how can the love of God abide in him?
Little children, let us not love in word or speech, but in deed and truth. This is how we will know that we belong to the truth and reassure our hearts before God, in whatever our hearts condemn us; for God is greater than our hearts and knows everything. Beloved, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God.
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Gospel (John 1:43-51)
— Proclamation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint John.
— Glory to you, Lord.
At that time, Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, “Follow me.” Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. Philip found Nathanael and said to him, “We have found him of whom Moses in the Law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.” Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.” Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and said of him, “Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no deceit!” Nathanael said to him, “How do you know me?” Jesus answered him, “Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.”
Nathanael answered him, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!” Jesus answered him, “Because I said to you, ‘I saw you under the fig tree,’ do you believe? You will see greater things than these.” And he said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you will see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.”
— The Gospel of the Lord.
— Praise to you, Lord.
Refletindo a Palavra de Deus
My brothers and sisters in Christ,
Today, I bring to you an inspiring story that leads us to reflect on the importance of recognizing and responding to God’s call in our lives. It’s a story of transformative encounters and a faith that comes alive. It’s a story of how our lives can be touched by Jesus and how, in turn, we can touch the lives of others.
Imagine, for a moment, a typical workday. You are busy with your daily tasks, fulfilling your responsibilities when suddenly, someone approaches and says, “Come and see!” These words resonate in your ears and pique your curiosity. Who is this person? What do they have to offer?
This is the situation we find in today’s Gospel. Philip encounters Nathanael and tells 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, skeptical, asks, “Can anything good come from Nazareth?”
But Philip responds simply: “Come and see!” These words are powerful and extend to us today. They invite us to encounter Jesus, to know Him personally, to see for ourselves what He has to offer. And this is a journey we are all called to undertake.
Throughout our lives, we encounter many voices inviting us to follow different paths. The world around us offers countless options and distractions. But deep down, we all seek truth, peace, and happiness. We all seek something greater than ourselves.
And it is in this moment that Jesus appears in our lives, inviting us to follow Him. He calls us to know the truth that goes beyond surface appearances and the doubts that assail us. He invites us to look beyond our limitations and find the fullness of life that only He can offer.
However, like Nathanael, we may be skeptical. We may have doubts and question whether anything good can come from where we least expect. But when we respond to Jesus’ call and open ourselves to Him, we are surprised by His transformative presence and love.
Nathanael comes to Jesus and, upon seeing Him, exclaims, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel!” The personal encounter with Jesus reveals the truth about Him and about ourselves. He shows us that He is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that we are loved and called by Him.
And then, Jesus responds to Nathanael with words that resonate in our hearts: “You will see greater things than these.” He promises us that, by following Him, we will witness wonders beyond our imagination. He invites us to a life of greatness and purpose, a life that transcends the limitations of the world and is fulfilled in the divine plan.
But how can we respond to this call? How can we follow Jesus in our daily lives? The answer lies in today’s First Reading, where Saint John urges us to love one another. He tells us, “Let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.”
Loving one another is the essence of Jesus’ message. It is the fundamental principle that guides us in our relationship with God and our brothers and sisters. Love is a concrete action, and we are called to manifest God’s love through our words and, more importantly, our actions.
Remember Philip’s words: “Come and see!” These words are not just an invitation to know Jesus but also an invitation to witness His love to the world. When we respond to Jesus’ call and follow Him, we are challenged to love as He loved.
Imagine the impact we can have on our community if we authentically and generously love one another. Imagine how our acts of kindness and compassion can inspire and transform the lives of those around us. Every small gesture of love can make a difference.
When we love, we not only experience the fullness of God’s love in our lives but also become channels of that love to others. And thus, love multiplies and spreads, touching hearts and transforming lives.
I recall a story that illustrates this. There was a man named John who lived in a small village. He was known for his generosity and willingness to help others. One day, a discouraged and lost young man arrived in the village. He had faced many challenges in life and was on the verge of giving up.
By chance, the young man encountered John and shared his story. John listened attentively, understanding the young man’s pain and despair. He welcomed him into his home and provided a place to stay. In the following days, John dedicated his time and resources to help the young man get back on his feet. He encouraged him, gave him hope, and showed him God’s love through his actions.
The young man was deeply touched by John’s love and care. He began to see that his life had value and purpose. He found the strength to overcome his challenges and eventually became a change agent in his own community. He shared the love and compassion he received from John with others, creating a continuous cycle of love and transformation.
This story reminds us that each of us has the power to make a difference in the lives of others. We don’t need to perform grand gestures to manifest God’s love. We can start with small acts of kindness in our everyday lives. A smile, a kind word, a supportive gesture can have a lasting impact.
My brothers and sisters, today we are invited to open our hearts to the call of Jesus. We are called to follow Him and to love one another as He loved us. We cannot let skepticism or doubts prevent us from responding to this call. Instead, we must humble ourselves before Jesus with openness, allowing Him to enter our lives and transform us.
Let us commit today to be living witnesses of God’s love in our words and actions. Let us seek opportunities to love and serve others, especially those in need. Let us remember that each person we encounter is an opportunity to encounter Jesus and to share His love.
May the Holy Spirit guide and strengthen us on this journey of love and service. May He empower us to live according to the principles of Scripture and be light and salt in the world. And as we love one another, may we experience the fullness of life in Christ and witness the transformation that only He can bring about.
May the grace of God be upon us all, and may His love flood our hearts, our families, and our community. May we be true disciples of Jesus, living and sharing His love every day of our lives.
In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
