Today is Monday the 24 August, the feast of St Bartholomew in the 21st week of Ordinary Time.

Bless the Lord, my soul, who leads me into life. The most important thing for me to do now, as I enter into prayer, is to let go for a moment, to let go of my own concerns, my own worries and fears and reluctance, and let myself be led by God, trusting that God, who loves me, will lead me into life.

Today’s reading is from the Gospel of John.

John 1:45-51

Philip found Nathanael & said to him, ‘We have found him about whom Moses in the law & also the prophets wrote, Jesus son of Joseph from Nazareth.’ Nathanael said to him, ‘Can anything good come out of Nazareth?’ Philip said to him, ‘Come & see.’ When Jesus saw Nathanael coming towards him, he said of him, ‘Here is truly an Israelite in whom there is no deceit!’ Nathanael asked him, ‘Where did you come to know me?’ Jesus answered, ‘I saw you under the fig tree before Philip called you.’ Nathanael replied, ‘Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!’ Jesus answered, ‘Do you believe because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than these.’ & he said to him, ‘Very truly, I tell you, you will see heaven opened & the angels of God ascending & descending upon the Son of Man.’

Can you hear the sense of excitement in Philip’s words? Can you imagine him looking for Nathanael? He has something he is eager to share with him. Something he just cannot keep to himself. When he finds Nathanael, can you imagine him, excitedly urging Nathanael “We have found him - Come and see”? 

Reflect on the beginnings of your own journey of faith. Who first introduced you to Jesus? Was there someone like the apostle Philip in your life? Someone who brought you to meet Jesus of Nazareth?

Listen to the reading again...Are you being invited to be like Philip to someone you know?

Speak to the Lord who sees you where you are now... Who knows who you are... And who promises you greater things.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.