FIRST READING
On the foundations the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.
A reading from the Book of Revelation (Revelation 21:9b-14)
An angel spoke to me, saying, “Come, I will show you the Bride, the wife of the Lamb.” And in the Spirit he carried me away to a great, high mountain, and showed me the holy city Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God, having the glory of God, its radiance like a most rare jewel, like a jasper, clear as crystal. It had a great, high wall, with twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and on the gates the names of the twelve tribes of the sons of Israel were inscribed; on the east three gates, on the north three gates, on the south three gates, and on the west three gates. And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them the twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.
The word of the Lord.
RESPONSORIAL PSALM Ps145:10-11.12-13ab.17-18 (R. see 12a)
R/. Your saints, O Lord, make known the glory of your reign.
All your works shall thank you, O Lord,
and all your faithful ones bless you.
They shall speak of the glory of your reign,
and declare your mighty deeds. R/.
To make known your might to the children of men,
and the glorious splendour of your reign.
Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom;
your rule endures for all generations. R/.
R/. Your saints, O Lord, make known the glory of your reign.
The Lord is just in all his ways,
and holy in all his deeds.
The Lord is close to all who call him,
who call on him in truth. R/.
ALLELUIA John 1:49b
Alleluia. Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel! Alleluia.
GOSPEL
“Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!”
A reading from the holy Gospel according to John (John 1:45-51)
At that time: Philip found Nathanael, and said to him, “We have found him of whom Moses in the law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.” Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.” Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and said of him, “Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!” Nathanael said to him, “How do you know me?” Jesus answered him, “Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.” Nathanael answered him, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!” Jesus answered him, “Because I said to you, I saw you under the fig tree, do you believe? You shall see greater things than these.” And he said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you will see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man.”
The Gospel of the Lord.
Today’s Reflection
When Jesus calls us to follow him, we should know that this call entails other responsibilities. Being called opens us up to the mission to bring other to Jesus. Jesus brings those who follow him not only to recognize him as the expected Messiah; he also promises to lead them to admire the full radiance of God’s kingdom. The grace of God leads us to this unexpected encounter with Jesus. How good it is to be gazed upon by Jesus, as he did with Nathaniel, and to be told that he would lead us to understand deeper the mysteries of the kingdom of God.