A reading from the gospel according to John 1:47-51
47 Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and said of him, “Here is a true child of Israel. There is no duplicity in him.”
48 Nathanael said to him, “How do you know me?” Jesus answered and said to him, “Before Philip called you, I saw you under the fig tree.”
49 Nathanael answered him, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel.”
50 Jesus answered and said to him, “Do you believe because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than this.”
51 And he said to him, “Amen, amen, I say to you, you will see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.”
Reflection: True Child
Good News: We will see heaven opened.
Nathanael comes toward Jesus. Imagine yourself approaching Jesus like Nathanael. Jesus looks at you in the eye and opens his arms to welcome you. Your life is about to change. You feel at ease, at peace and full of joy.
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A true child of Israel. You have known Jesus for a while but you struggle to know who you really are. There were some moments in your life that you doubt if there is anyone who can really accept you and love you. Perhaps some people rejected you or your loved ones seem not to care. Then you hear Jesus whisper to you, “You are my child, my beloved child.” How does it feel?
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How do you know me? For some of us, we have a lot that is hidden to others. We have secrets and we are too afraid to let others have a peek into our dark corners. Yet we long for friends who can accept us for who we are. In other words, each one of must learn to accept one another even if we are aware of each other’s weaknesses and wickedness. Let us love one another as Jesus loved us (John 13:34).
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Jesus knows us more than we know ourselves. For Him, nothing is secret. It is therefore better to surrender everything to Him. In the first place, it is His will to free us from our fears and enslavements. He is our savior who died for us. We pray for the Holy Spirit to help us see ourselves as God sees us.
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Like Nathanael, let us recognize Jesus as the Son of God and our king. As we surrender to Him, our king, let us make Him take control of our life especially the parts which bother us.
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Our faith will allow us to see greater things. With our faith, we will see heaven opened and the angels of God descend and ascend on our Lord who is the way, the truth and the life.
Commentary: Angels of God
• The word “angel” comes from the Greek word angelos which means “messenger” or “announcer.”
• The Bible offers a lot of evidence on their existence. Some verses are the following:
Daniel 8:15–26, 9:21–27 – The archangel Gabriel appears to the prophet Daniel to explain his visions
Daniel 10:13–21 – Archangel Michael is identified as the protector of Israelites
Daniel 12:1 – Archangel Michael will arise during the “time of the end”.
Tobit 12:15 – “I am Raphael, one of the seven holy angels who present the prayers of the saints and enter into the presence of the glory of the Holy One.”
Luke 1:11–38 – Gabriel announces the birth of John the Baptist and Jesus
1 Thessalonians 4:16 – “with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God”
Jude 1:9 – “Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee”
Revelations 12:7-9 – Archangel Michael defeats the dragon in a war in heaven.
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Life often begins with small encounters that open the door to something greater. Nathanael’s story is one such moment. At first, he was doubtful when told about Jesus. He questioned if anything good could come from a small, insignificant town. But when he met Jesus, something changed. Jesus saw into his heart, and in that moment, Nathanael realized he was standing before someone far greater than he could ever imagine.
The encounter culminated in a promise: if Nathanael believed after such a simple revelation, he would witness even greater things. He would see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man. This final word is powerful; it teaches us that faith is never static. It grows, expands, and unfolds into deeper understanding and greater vision when we walk closely with God.
Think about the first time you accomplished something that seemed impossible. Maybe it was your first job, your first step of courage, or the first time you stood up for what you believed in. That first success, while meaningful, was only the beginning. It gave you the confidence to take on bigger challenges, to pursue greater dreams, to grow in strength. In the same way, Nathanael’s first encounter with Jesus was only the starting point of a lifelong journey into greater revelations of God’s kingdom.
This story challenges us to never settle for “small glimpses” of faith. Many are satisfied with knowing about God from a distance, with simple routines or minimal involvement. But Jesus invites us to something more, to see heaven open, to experience His power, and to know that we are never alone. The image of angels ascending and descending reminds us that heaven is not far from earth. God’s messengers, the angels and archangels, are actively at work, carrying out His will, protecting His people, and proclaiming His glory. Their presence assures us that our faith connects us to a much larger reality than we often imagine.
Consider the teacher who believes in her struggling student. She celebrates the small victories such as an improved grade, a little more confidence in speaking up but she knows that greater things lie ahead if the student keeps moving forward. God sees us in the same way. He meets us where we are, but He doesn’t leave us there. He promises greater breakthroughs, deeper understanding, and richer experiences of His presence as we remain faithful. And in this journey, He sends His angels to guide, guard, and encourage us along the way.
The last verse also reminds us that our faith is not confined to daily struggles or temporary achievements. It lifts our vision heavenward. Angels and archangels are not distant or mythical beings; they are God’s servants who connect the spiritual with the earthly, making us aware that heaven and earth are joined in Christ. Every act of kindness, every moment of prayer, every step of obedience is not just ordinary life; it is touched by the eternal and surrounded by the unseen company of heaven.
But here is the key: greater things are promised to those who believe. Nathanael’s simple trust unlocked a vision of the extraordinary. For us today, it means that even if our faith feels small, it can grow into something that transforms our lives and others. It means that the doubts we carry can be replaced by deeper assurance if we choose to follow and trust.
So let us live with expectation. Let us believe not only in the power of Christ but also in the heavenly help He has placed around us including angels and archangels who serve His purpose and remind us that heaven is always near. Our first steps of faith are important, but they are only the beginning. Lift your eyes beyond the ordinary. Live faithfully today, and trust that tomorrow holds even greater things in store, for heaven is open, and we walk not alone.
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