Christ binds us to help those in need.

Friday, 1/5/17

Although you might find other more valuable lessons in today’s readings, let me draw your attention to one lesson we have from the first reading and to two lesson we have from the Gospel.

We might take to heart the following words of John’s toward the end of the First Reading: “If someone who has worldly means, sees a brother in need, and refuses him compassion, how can the love of God remain in him?” So, if you have more than enough, and a brother has less than enough, you are obliged to help him.

In the Gospel, after Jesus said, “Before Philip called you, I saw you under the fig tree,” why did that cause Philip to say, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God?” Well, Philip knew that when he was under the fig tree, he was very much alone with God; so Jesus must be God to have known that.

Our second lesson from the Gospel comes from Our Lord's words of praise for Nathaniel. "Here is a true Israelite in whom there is no guile."

Jesus praised Nathaniel for being honest with himself. With you, is it what you are that people see?