A GREAT WAY TO BEGIN TODAY!
SUBSCRIBE FREE: LiveITToday.us
LISTEN NOW: Live IT Today Podcast A new episode drops every Saturday.
GOD’S DECLARATION TO YOU TODAY
I see you completely, I know you truly, and I am calling you to behold greater things in Me.
INVOCATION
Come, Holy Spirit! Through the intercession of Our Blessed Mother Mary, open my heart to hear and receive all that You desire for me. Draw me ever more deeply into the Love and Life of the Blessed Trinity!
GOSPEL | 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.”
EVERY DAY QUESTION
What struck you? Challenged you? Inspired you? What questions did it raise?
GOING DEEPER
Jesus does not merely notice us; He sees us truly, calls us personally, and opens Heaven before us.
What part of your heart do you most need to bring out from under the “fig tree” and let Jesus see?
Nathanael begins with a sharp skepticism: “Can anything good come from Nazareth?” Philip does not debate him into belief. He offers three simple words: “Come and see.” That is still the way of Christian witness. We cannot force faith into another person’s heart, but we can invite them toward the One who can meet them there.
When Jesus sees Nathanael, He names what is most beautiful in him: “There is no duplicity in him.” The Greek word is dolos—deceit, hidden falseness, a divided self. Jesus sees a man who, despite his prejudice and questions, is fundamentally open to the truth. He does not flatter Nathanael; He calls forth the integrity He already sees.
Then comes the mystery of the fig tree. In the Old Testament, sitting under one’s fig tree could evoke peace, blessing, and meditation upon God’s law. Whatever Nathanael had been doing there, Jesus had seen him. The moment dissolves every distance. Nathanael realizes that this Rabbi from Nazareth knows his hidden life and yet draws near in love.
Our homes need to be places where this same freedom to be known grows. The domestic church is not built on appearances, pretending, or managing an image. It is built when we help one another come honestly before Jesus: with doubts, wounds, sin, hopes, questions, and longings. The Lord cannot be shocked by what He already sees. He wants to heal and transform it.
Jesus promises Nathanael something greater still: Heaven opened and angels ascending and descending upon the Son of Man. He is recalling Jacob’s ladder, where earth and Heaven met. Jesus Himself is that meeting place—the living bridge between the Father and us. In Him, we are not left below, wondering whether God is near. Heaven has come down.
Today we celebrate Saint Bartholomew, traditionally identified with Nathanael. An initial skeptic became an apostle, and an apostle became a martyr. This is what happens when a person accepts the invitation to come and see: Jesus turns guarded questions into courageous mission. Authenticity becomes apostolic fire.
Build saint-forming homes; pray over your children by name; act in the power of the Holy Spirit by inviting your family to come honestly before Jesus and see the greater things He desires to reveal.
Truth as uprightness in human action and speech is called truthfulness, sincerity, or candor. Truth or truthfulness is the virtue which consists in showing oneself true in deeds and truthful in words, and in guarding against duplicity, dissimulation, and hypocrisy. (CCC, 2468)
LIFE APPLICATION QUESTIONS
In My Heart: What am I tempted to hide, manage, or pretend about rather than honestly bringing to Jesus?
In My Home: How can I help make our household a safer place for truth, questions, and sincere faith?
In My World: Whom can I invite, with humility and confidence, simply to come and see Jesus?
FAMILY LIVE IT
Make some time today to gather together and, going around … share one time you felt personally seen, known, or encouraged by another person.
Then pray over each person by name. Ask that each know personally the loving gaze of Jesus, be freed from every lie of the Enemy that says they must hide or pretend, receive strength to overcome temptation, and be given joy to live openly, truthfully, and courageously as a disciple of Christ.
Daily Challenge: Tell one person today: Jesus sees you, knows you, and loves you—and I am praying for you.
DAILY PARENT & GRANDPARENT BLESSING
LORD JESUS CHRIST, let Your holy anointing be upon each of our children, grandchildren, and godchildren this day and week, including all to whom they are called in vocation, and all future generations! In Your Sacred Name we claim them for You! We renounce all whispers, lies, and influences of the Enemy! We pray right now that each know Your loving Presence, be forged in virtue, and be flooded with an abundance of Your Holy Spirit to live fully their identity and mission in You now and through all eternity, through the intercession of our Blessed Mother! Amen.
PARENT BLESSING PROJECT: bit.ly/ParentBlessing
GOING VERTICAL
“Be still and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10
Just as the vertical beam upholds the horizontal beam of the Cross, so too does undistracted, dedicated daily turning to God as our lifeblood uphold and strengthen every part of life. Start with just three minutes. Wait patiently for the breakthrough beyond the noise. Let Him speak.
ENTER THE RIDE OF A LIFETIME: LifeTimeRide.com
Listen to the moving song, Ride Of A Lifetime:
Spotify | Apple | Other
TODAY’S SPONSORSHIP
Sponsored by the generosity of the Pat & Patti McNamara Family, American Crafted Furniture 6639 Airport Highway Holland, OH 43528 | 419-725-7880
Would you, your business or organization like to help us spread these daily reflections? Contact us at Alive@MassImpact.us to learn more.
WE WANT TO PRAY FOR YOU!
Please share your prayer intentions in the comments at LiveITToday.us