January 17
The second week of Epiphany
43 The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, “Follow me.”44 Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. 45 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.” 46 Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.” 47 Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and said of him, “Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no deceit!” 48 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.” 49 Nathanael answered him, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!” 50 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.” 51 And he said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you,[a] you will see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.”
The gospel according to John
John 1:43-51
In this brief exchange, although they have never met, Jesus knows Nathanael. He knows where Nathanael is and he knows the character of Nathanael’s heart. Because Jesus identified both Nathanael’s character and his location, he believes. He worships Jesus. What about this exchange do you think caused Nathanael to put his faith in Jesus? Jesus knows each of us in the same way he knew Nathanael. When Jesus sees you, what does he see? What are the visible circumstances of your life and what is in your heart? Does being seen and known by Jesus lead you to worship, to greater faith?
What do you think Jesus meant when he said, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you will see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man”? Give several examples from Jesus’ life. Jesus opened a way for continual commerce between heaven and earth. In what way do you need heaven to break into your life today?
visio divina
Vocation de Saint Jean et de Saint André, by Jacques Joseph Tissot
1894, Opaque watercolor over graphite on gray paper, 9 13/16” × 6”
What are you most drawn to in this image?
How are your emotions stirred by it?
Ask the Lord to increase your holy desires.
Before meeting Jesus, the artist Tissot was a broken man, an illustrator in France. His faith was reawakened during a church service in 1885. After his conversion, Tissot pursued a deep desire to illustrate the life of Christ.
This week we reflect on the calling of Philip the Apostle in John 1:43-51. Like Simon Peter and Andrew, Philip comes from Bethsaida, a town by the Sea of Galilee in northern Israel.
Tissot, like the biblical writers, leaves out details to enable you to engage your imagination. Ask the Holy Spirit to give you insight as you consider this painting. Notice how your eye starts with the apostle on the right side. His head directs you to the apostle in the center and then leads you to our Lord on the shore. Jesus is wearing white, which captures the fishermens’ attention against the dark hillside.
Recall what your life was like the first time Jesus caught your attention. How did you feel Him calling you?
The Lord is still inviting you to walk closely with Him in your current circumstances. In what everyday vocations does Jesus call you to serve as a fisher of men? A parent-fisher of your children, a musician-fisher of listeners, a manager-fisher of other employees, or…? You fill in the blank.
Settling and Noticing (eyes open) – 2 minutes
- Take a few deep breaths. Settle into this present moment. Open your heart to God.
- Explore all of the details, colors, movements, and shapes in the image. Then focus more intently on a single aspect of the larger image.
Savoring and Pondering (eyes closed) – 1 minute
- Staying with the part of the image you are drawn to, close your eyes, and recreate or visualize that aspect of the image in your mind’s eye.
- While your eyes are still closed, notice any images, feelings, thoughts or memories from your life that might arise in association with this image
Conclusion (eyes opened or closed) – 2 minutes
- How does the image and your response to it meet you at this particular moment of your life?
- Have a little conversation with God about whatever has arisen in your heart during this exercise. You might find it helpful to write down what happened as you prayed with this image.
Musical Devotion
Worship
Jesus, Draw Me Ever Nearer (Keith & Kristyn Getty) .
Classical
Cantata: Sie werden aus Saba alle kommen, BWV 65 (J.S. Bach)
Songs without Words, Op. 67, No. 3 in B-flat Major - Andante tranquillo (Felix Mendelssohn)
