John 1:47-51 NRSVue
47When Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him, he said of him, “Here is truly an Israelite in whom there is no deceit!” 48Nathanael asked him, “Where did you get to know me?” Jesus answered, “I saw you under the fig tree before Philip called you.” 49Nathanael replied, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!” 50Jesus answered, “Do you believe because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than these.” 51And he said to him, “Very truly, I tell you, you will see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man.”
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Some thoughts on this scripture
Reflection
Would you say that of me, Lord - /here is a person in whom there is no
deceit?/ I am too conscious of my lack of simplicity, of how I justify me to
myself and to others, without a strict eye for truth. You asked us to let our
Yes be Yes and our No be No. A Christian's word needs no embellishments like
/to be honest with you./ Help me, Lord, to weed out the duplicities in my
soul.
Reflection
Jesus is never finished with doing good! Nathanael was promised more of the
good things of God, at a time when he was in the fullness of consolation.
With Jesus the best is always yet to come. Our prayer time is opening
ourselves in words and in silence to the best of God's love, like a couple of
many years' love can find greater joy and fullness in love of the later
years.
Reflection
If I came towards you, Lord, what would you say of me? I tremble at the
thought. I would wish to show a heart without deceit, and remember the words
of Rumi, the Sufi poet: /In the presence of His Glory, closely watch your
heart, so your thoughts won't shame you, for He sees guilt, opinion, and
desire as plainly as a hair in pure milk./
Reflection
Lord, I wish you could say of me that I have no guile, and that there is no
deceit in my mouth. That would be blessing indeed; help me to earn it.