September 29, 2008 (Monday)

DIDACHE

WHO HE REALLY IS

Nathanael said to him, “How do you know me?”– John 1:48

I once interviewed this man who can sometimes see into the future. One time, he told a friend planning to go to Dos Palmas in Palawan, “If you don’t want to be in the wrong place, with the wrong set of people, in an event so big that it will be covered by the international media, don’t go there.” That weekend, Dos Palmas was raided by the Abu Sayyaf.

I thought that was an amazing story but can you imagine how awestruck Nathanael was in our story today? It must have been really amazing to hear Jesus tell Nathanael who he is because he ended up declaring, “You are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel.” When we are tempted to fret and get annoyed at our circumstances, let us be reminded that Jesus knows us through and through. Let the gift of wonder coupled with humility accompany us as we walk with Jesus.

It is in realizing who He really is that we can say with Nathanael, “You are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel.” Then we can bow down on our knees in worship and acknowledge that He is indeed God. Joy Sosoban

REFLECTION:
They name him Wonder-Counselor, God-Hero, Father-Forever, Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:5)

I have treated You so familiarly, Lord. Forgive me. Let me always be amazed at who You are.

COMPANION

1st READING

The archangels are those angels who have performed major roles in bringing God’s messages to His people. As we honor them today, we remember that when God speaks it is not enough to simply hear His word: we need to respond to it in the same way those who have received His word in the past have done. Let us seek the grace of obedience and live it to the letter at every opportunity.

Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14 (or Revelation 12:7-12a)
9 As I watched: Thrones were set up and the Ancient One took his throne. His clothing was snow bright, and the hair on his head as white as wool; His throne was flames of fire, with wheels of burning fire. 10 A surging stream of fire flowed out from where he sat; Thousands upon thousands were ministering to him, and myriads upon myriads attended him. The court was convened, and the books were opened. 13 As the visions during the night continued, I saw One like a son of man coming, on the clouds of heaven; When he reached the Ancient One and was resented before him, 14 He received dominion, glory, and kingship; nations and peoples of every language serve him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that shall not be taken away, his kingship shall not be destroyed.

P S A L M

Psalm 138:1-2ab, 2cde-3, 4-5
R: In the sight of the angels I will sing your praises, Lord.
1 I will give thanks to you, O LORD, with all my heart, for you have heard the words of my mouth; in the presence of the angels I will sing your praise; 2 I will worship at your holy temple and give thanks to your name. (R) Because of your kindness and your truth; for you have made great above all things your name and your promise. 3 When I called, you answered me; you built up strength within me. (R) 4 All the kings of the earth shall give thanks to you, O LORD, when they hear the words of your mouth; 5 and they shall sing of the ways of the LORD “Great is the glory of the LORD.” (R)

G O S P E L

Jesus seems to be promising those who follow Him that they will have access to God that people under the old covenant only dreamed of having. The angels ascending and descending seems to me to be the promise of a new level of communication that will come with the Gospel. This was true but the source of the new level of communication was not to be angels but the Holy Spirit – a far more powerful messenger than any angel.

John 1:47-51
47 Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and said of him, “Here is a true Israelite. There is no duplicity in him.” 48 Nathanael said to him, “How do you know me?” Jesus answered and said to him, “Before Philip called you, I saw you under the fig tree.” 49 Nathanael answered him, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel.” 50 Jesus answered and said to him, “Do you believe because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than this.” 51 And he said to him, “Amen, amen, I say to you, you will see the sky opened and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.”

my reflections
think: Jesus seems to be promising those who follow Him that they will have access to God that people under the old covenant only dreamed of having.

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God’s special verse/thought for me today________________
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T O D A Y ’ S BLESSING LIST
Thank You Lord for: ____________________________________
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READ THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR Ecclesiastes 5-8

SABBATH

Feast of Sts. Michael, Gabriel, Raphael, Archangels

Archangels for Others As Well

This week begins with a joyful celebration of the Feast of the three Archangels Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael. We praise and thank God for them, for as we pray in the Opening Prayer of today’s Holy Mass, they “keep our lives safe from all harm on earth.”

The popular image of angels and archangels as anti-accident protectors, superheroes, or miracle workers is too limiting. Sts. Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael have special roles to play regarding salvation.

St. Michael is the leader of all the angels. To him is entrusted in a special way the Jewish people (see Daniel 10:1-14). All throughout the centuries, this particular nation has struggled, and somehow they always figure prominently even in today’s headlines with their concerns for peace. Suffice it to recall that we as Christians owe the origins of our very religion to the Jews themselves. And Jesus Christ Himself was a Jew, wasn’t He?

If St. Michael is particularly associated with the Jewish people, St. Gabriel on the other hand has a special affinity with the Muslims. Part of their belief is the fact that Gabriel was the one who communicated the Islamic religion to them. Jesus and Mary in fact are also prominent figures in the Koran. Finally, by extension, the role of St. Raphael as a healer may also be considered as something universal as well.

The Second Vatican Council recognizes that non-Christian religions (such as Judaism, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, etc.) contain parts of the truth, seeds or reflections of the Word. We should not reject anything which is true and holy in these religions. We look with sincere respect upon those ways of conduct and life, those rules and teachings which, even though they differ from ours, nevertheless reflect a ray of that Truth which enlightens all men and women.

The Archangels help spread such rays of truth, goodness, and beauty all throughout the world, regardless of race or religion. Fr. Martin Macasaet

Reflection Question:
Do you see nuggets of truth in the other religions of the world?

To respect others different from me is to respect You, the Maker of us all. Enable me to live out this challenge, Lord.

Sts. Raphael, Gabriel & Michael, archangels, pray for us.