A WORD FOR TODAY 24 AUGUST 2023

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*A WORD FOR TODAY*

*COME AND SEE!*

_"Nathana-el said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.”(John 1:46)_

_*The Apostles of Jesus Christ are very special people. Today we celebrate and remember one -St. Bartholomew. If one calls to mind the truth that it was to the Apostles that Jesus handed over his ministry, then one can appreciate the primacy of the truth which they taught, and their memory and heritage which the Catholic Church preserves. The first reading of the day does justice in putting before our face, the place of the twelve Apostles: They are the foundation on which the Church of Christ has been built.*_

_In the interaction of Jesus with his would be Apostles Nathanael and Phillip, we find two interesting words that concern discipleship in Christianity. They are “come" and "see”. These are Phillips’ admonition and response to Nathanael when the later asked whether anything good could come out of Nazareth. Today, because of the advancement of technology and growth of secularity, many of us some times wonder what good can come out of Jesus and our relationship with him._

_*The solution to this is: Come and see! First, you have to ‘come’. You have to take the bold step to come to Jesus and begin a conversation. You have to create an opportunity to interact with him and know him. And then, you ‘see’. This means you have to engage your mind and your heart in order to observe and understand the things you meet by your interaction and experience of Jesus, and then, you will most likely cry:*_

_Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel! (John 1:49b). Some may cry: You are God! Dependable God! You will make known who God is according to your experience. No wonder the response to the psalm say of the Apostles: Your friends make known, O Lord, the glorious splendor of your Kingdom. Those who experience Jesus usually have good things to share about him._

_*Let us seek the intercession of the Apostles. Let us consciously follow Nathanael and Bartholomew. Let us ‘come and see’ Jesus. Today is a new day to begin again. Jesus is always ready to meet with us. We can see that from the Gospel because Jesus was the first to strike the conversation once he saw Nathanael coming.*_

_*Good morning, beloved. Smile😊 and let the praise of God be on your lips as you do your work this day. And may the Almighty God bless you: the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.*_

*Meditation:* Revelation 21:9b–14/Psalm 145:10–11, 12–13, 17–18 / John 1:45–51

*Watch-Word:* “Come and see!”

_*Your friends make known, O Lord, the glorious splendor of your Kingdom.*_

(Thursday of the sixteenth week in ordinary time. Feast of Saint Bartholomew, Apostle.)

*©ï¸ Rev. Fr. Augustine Eleke*