Today’s Reflection
Gospel: John 1: 47-51
September 29, 2025 | Monday

Today’s Gospel

When Jesus saw Nathanael coming, he said of him, “Here comes an Israelite, a true one; there is nothing false in him.” Nathanael asked him, “How do you know me?” And Jesus said to him, “Before Philip called you, you were under the fig tree, and I saw you.”

Nathanael answered, “Master, you are the Son of God! You are the king of Israel!” But Jesus replied, “You believe because I said, ‘I saw you under the fig tree.’ But you will see greater things than that.

Truly, I say to you, you will see the heavens opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man.”

Today’s Reflection

“You will see greater things,” Jesus tells Nathanael. Then Jesus continues, “Truly, I say to you, you will see the heavens opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man.” Today’s celebration of the feast of the archangels Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael is an important reminder to all of us of the true greatness of the Lord. It is not just about his greatness because he performs miracles or gathers people to himself when he preaches. True, this is part of his greatness. But more than this is the angels of heaven, and all of creation, so to speak, worshipping him as the Lord: ascending and descending upon the Son of Man.

The angels are already great creatures in themselves, higher than we are, more majestic and powerful than we are. But these faithful creatures of the Lord show us the source and essence of their greatness: the Lord. Yes, they are great and powerful, but they submit themselves to the Lord. By submission to God, they retain, even intensify, their greatness. Those who disobey disgrace themselves along the way. The example of the faithful angels should also encourage us always to be faithful and obedient to God. In that way, God’s presence may intensify what is already good in us.

/Vulnerasti, 2025