Feast of St. Bartholomew, Apostle

John 1:45-51

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 heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.”

Opening Prayer: My Lord, here I am. I invite you to come and lay your eyes on my soul. I want to put aside all distractions and return that look.

Encountering Christ: 

1. There Is No Duplicity in Him: The way in which Jesus described Nathanael speaks of integrity, honesty, and justice. The Gospel passage seems to suggest further that the encounter between such a person and Christ is characterized by profound and almost immediate mutual recognition—almost as if the absence of duplicity clears the way for man to come to faith.

    

2. How Do You Know Me?: At first glance, the sudden realization that we are known by another may frighten us. At the same time, to be known is one of our deepest desires and needs. To stand fast while someone’s gaze embraces our soul: We know that nothing makes us feel more vulnerable, but we also know that nothing can bring greater joy than this type of communion. That is what awaits us in heaven: perfectly joyful communion among each other, while basking in the loving and eternal gaze of God.

    

3. You Are the Son of God: Jesus and Nathanael locked eyes in this passage. Something extraordinary happened here, and Nathanael realized this in an instant. To pray means to lock eyes with Jesus. What sensation does that provoke? Fear? When we put all duplicity aside and allow the Holy Spirit to replace that fear with the genuine desire to be known by Our Lord, joyful communion will take possession of us, and Nathanael’s profession of faith can become our own.

Conversing with Christ: My Lord, no one sees into the depths of my heart like you do. Sometimes, I want to hide from your gaze because it makes me feel vulnerable. I now renew my trust in you: I have nothing to fear from you, and there is nothing in me that I cannot show to you. Your gaze does not sting but soothes and heals.

Resolution: Lord, today by your grace I will bask in your gaze by spending a few moments in prayer and simply allow you to see me.

For Further Reflection: Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1024:

This perfect life with the Most Holy Trinity—this communion of life and love with the Trinity, with the Virgin Mary, the angels, and all the blessed—is called “heaven.” Heaven is the ultimate end and fulfillment of the deepest human longings, the state of supreme, definitive happiness.

Father Gabriel von Wendt, LC, works as an assistant professor at the Pontifical Athenaeum Regina Apostolorum. He has a passion for philosophy and the role of Catholic faith in contemporary culture.

Twenty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time

Matthew 16:13-20

Jesus went into the region of Caesarea Philippi and he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” They replied, “Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah, still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter said in reply, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus said to him in reply, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah. For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father. And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys to the Kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” Then he strictly ordered his disciples to tell no one that he was the Christ.

Opening Prayer: Holy Spirit, descend upon me as I gather myself in order to spend a moment in personal prayer. Fill my heart with your grace so that I can recognize the presence of Jesus Christ in my life, his presence here and now.

Encountering Christ:

1. When You Spend Time with Jesus: The disciples had spent months with Jesus by now. Having grown into a group of close friends, they were probably getting used to their new lifestyle as “knights errant,” ever on the road, looking for the next town in which to preach. Sure, Jesus would surprise them every now and then with lofty speeches or mighty deeds, but even that might have been starting to feel quite normal. Then, suddenly, heinterrupted their smoothly-running normality and asked, “Who do you say that I am?” For a moment, the world held its breath, as did each one of the disciples. The semblance of normality disappeared into thin air, and their commitment to the mission was tested as they prepared to answer: Who is Jesus of Nazareth?

    

2. When Christ Taps on Your Shoulder: Our Lord has made himself human, “normal,” so that we can approach him and walk beside him in our daily life. Like the disciples during their journey through the mountains of Palestine, our Christian life can fall into a certain routine. However, every now and then, Our Lord can make us pause. He puts his hand on our shoulder signaling us to stop, then steps in front of us, faces us, and, while locking eyes, asks us that very question. He, God himself, is interested in hearing our personal answer time and again.

    

3. When You Stand before God: Just like the disciples, who paused in momentary silence, our knees might well get wobbly for a second when we face the Almighty. Peter finally broke the spell when he professed Christ’s divinity, causing everyone who was feeling so comfortable a minute ago to pause and reflect. They were in God’s very presence and probably felt prompted to take off their shoes and kneel, for they stood on holy ground (cf. Ex 3:5). Yet, where God’s greatness shines, man is not crushed, but elevated; Peter was not ordered to prostrate himself, but was raised to become Jesus’ prime witness and minister of his mercy.

Conversing with Christ: My Lord, as you stand before me and look at me expectantly, I consider both your greatness and your humble presence in my life. You are the Eternal Son of the Father, true God and King of the universe. And yet you are interested in me and care for the tiny reality of my life. I renew my faith in you and profess it, knowing that your reign will not crush my development, but empower it.

Resolution: Lord, today by your grace I will consciously praise your greatness and power in my life, allowing you to lead me to whatever responsibilities you have in mind for me.

For Further Reflection: Catechism of the Catholic Church, 441-442:

In the Old Testament, “son of God” is a title given to the angels, the Chosen People, the children of Israel, and their kings. It signifies an adoptive sonship that establishes a relationship of particular intimacy between God and his creature. When the promised Messiah-King is called “son of God,” it does not necessarily imply that he was more than human, according to the literal meaning of these texts. Those who called Jesus “son of God,” as the Messiah of Israel, perhaps meant nothing more than this. Such is not the case for Simon Peter when he confesses Jesus as “the Christ, the Son of the living God,” for Jesus responds solemnly: “Flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven.” Similarly Paul will write, regarding his conversion on the road to Damascus, “When he who had set me apart before I was born, and had called me through his grace, was pleased to reveal his Son to me, in order that I might preach him among the Gentiles…” (Galatians 1:15-16). “And in the synagogues immediately [Paul] proclaimed Jesus, saying, ‘He is the Son of God’” (Acts 9:20). From the beginning this acknowledgment of Christ’s divine Sonship will be the center of the apostolic faith, first professed by Peter as the Church’s foundation.

Father Gabriel von Wendt, LC, works as an assistant professor at the Pontifical Athenaeum Regina Apostolorum. He has a passion for philosophy and the role of Catholic faith in contemporary culture.

Memorial of the Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Matthew 23:1-12

Jesus spoke to the crowds and to his disciples, saying, “The scribes and the Pharisees have taken their seat on the chair of Moses. Therefore, do and observe all things whatsoever they tell you, but do not follow their example. For they preach but they do not practice. They tie up heavy burdens hard to carry and lay them on people’s shoulders, but they will not lift a finger to move them. All their works are performed to be seen. They widen their phylacteries and lengthen their tassels. They love places of honor at banquets, seats of honor in synagogues, greetings in marketplaces, and the salutation ‘Rabbi.’ As for you, do not be called ‘Rabbi.’ You have but one teacher, and you are all brothers. Call no one on earth your father; you have but one Father in heaven. Do not be called ‘Master’; you have but one master, the Christ. The greatest among you must be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled; but whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”

Opening Prayer: Lord, here I am. Thank you for this moment, for the gifts of life and your love. Help me to be open to hear what you have to say, or to simply enjoy being in your presence. I believe in you, trust you, and love you; increase my faith, hope, and love.

Encountering Christ:

1. Carrying Burdens: It can be very easy to demand things of others—our children, spouse, coworkers, or acquaintances—while making little excuses for ourselves in the exact same context. We’re being pharisaical when we do so. “They tie up heavy burdens hard to carry and lay them on people’s shoulders, but they will not lift a finger to move them.” In fact, it is so easy that looking at what bothers us in others is a great way to see what virtues we need to grow in.

    

2. All in the Family: “You have but one teacher, and you are all brothers.” Christ makes it clear that as soon as we start putting on airs, thinking that we are somehow above others, we’re fooling ourselves. We are allowing our pride or vanity to color our perceptions. Growth in humility doesn’t come through mental acrobatics, by forcing ourselves to think differently, but through real, daily contact with the Lord. When we spend time every day to put ourselves in his presence and let him show us just how much we depend on him, the way we look at the world and others totally changes.

    

3. Whoever Humbles Himself Will Be Exalted: Humility is like exercise. No one likes it (at first), but everyone needs more of it. The best way to become humble is to ask God for the grace, and then start trying. How? Padre Pio offers some great advice for practicing humility: “We must humble ourselves on seeing how little self-control we have and how much we love comfort and rest. Always keep Jesus before your gaze; He did not come to rest nor to be comfortable either in spiritual or temporal matters, but to fight, to mortify himself and to die.”

Conversing with Christ: Lord, thank you for this moment of grace. I am sorry for my weak faith, hope, and love; support me by your grace today. I know that you love me more than I can imagine. Thank you for your love, and never let be separated from you.

Resolution: Lord, today by your grace I will, when tempted to judge someone, take a moment to think of something positive about them.

For Further Reflection:

“These are the few ways we can practice humility:

To speak as little as possible of one’s self.

To mind one’s own business.

Not to want to manage other people’s affairs.

To avoid curiosity.

To accept contradictions and correction cheerfully.

To pass over the mistakes of others.

To accept insults and injuries.

To accept being slighted, forgotten, and disliked.

To be kind and gentle even under provocation.

Never to stand on one’s dignity.

To choose always the hardest.”

― Mother Teresa, The Joy in Loving: A Guide to Daily Living

Riley Connors was born in Dayton, Ohio. He studied classical humanities and philosophy with the Legionaries of Christ. He enjoys running, thinking, praying, and, on occasion, all three.