Listen with openness

FRIENDS and SERVANTS of the WORD

Friday 5 January 2024

WORD of the DAY 

Jesus decided to go to Galilee, and he found Philip. And Jesus said to him, “Follow me.” Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the town of Andrew and Peter. Philip found Nathanael and told him, “We have found the one about whom Moses wrote in the law, and also the prophets, Jesus, son of Joseph, from Nazareth.” But Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come from Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.” Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and said of him, “Here is a true child of Israel. There is no duplicity in him.” 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.” Nathanael answered him, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel.” 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.” 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.”                            (John 1: 43-51)

How shall I live this Word?     

Jesus recognizes in Nathanael his commitment to listening passionately and constantly to the Scriptures. He goes beyond his apparent contempt. It is this recognition and this respect for the other’s position that makes Nathaniel understand that there is something new in Jesus by whom it is worth letting ourselves be challenged and changed. Nathanael truly recognizes Jesus when knowledge of the Lord, contact with Him, breaks prejudice and leaves room for listening. In the light of the Word, we must have the courage to tell ourselves that we have prejudices, sometimes even with regard to God, especially when suffering comes unexpectedly. Like the Magi who set out from afar in the light of a star that will stop over a simple hut on the edge of Bethlehem and far from Jerusalem; like the first disciples called upon to follow an unapproved nor approvable Rabbi. We too are invited to set out on a journey to be found by life and thus to rediscover paths of life that are increasingly shared and fraternal.

I think back to the people I’m prejudiced towards, and I recognize that maybe I never really committed myself to listening.

The voice of Anthony de Mello, Jesuit

Observe your reactions to each episode of the day; observe your convictions. Question yourself! Are you ready to put your convictions up to discussion? If your response is negative, then you are full of preconceived ideas and you react mechanically.

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