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Gospel Reading for August 24, 2026 – John 1: 45-51
STRONG STATEMENT
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.”
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During Jesus’ time, Nazareth was an obscure, tiny, and impoverished backwater village with no historical, political, or religious significance in the region of Galilee. Because of this, it was looked down upon by the Jews. It was unthinkable for them that the long-awaited Messiah would come from Nazareth.
By making his Son, Jesus, come from Nazareth—and even giving him a carpenter as his earthly father—God was making a STRONG STATEMENT: what defines a person is not status, wealth, or background, but his or her character, the principles he or she upholds, and the values he or she lives by.
Jesus did not have to be rich, renowned, or powerful in earthly terms to be the Messiah. These temporary things do not count in the life to come. What mattered was his faithfulness to the mission entrusted to him by the Father. He devoted all his energy to healing the sick, driving out demons, teaching the values of the Gospel, and living them faithfully.
Lord Jesus, we thank you for providing us the ladder that connects us to the Father, and the Father to us. Amen.
