Monday Sept 29, 2025

Imagine this: Nathanael is stunned that Jesus saw into his soul before they even met. Then Jesus promises something greater: heaven opened, angels ascending and descending upon the Son of Man. The invisible world of God’s glory breaks in. 

Every day, over 300,000 times around the world, Jesus speaks at the altar. Will you hear Him today?
This is today’s Gospel. And it’s for you.

TODAY’S CATHOLIC SCRIPTURE

First Reading — Daniel 7:9–10, 13–14
9 As I looked, thrones were placed and one that was ancient of days took his seat; his raiment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like pure wool; his throne was fiery flames, its wheels were burning fire.

10 A stream of fire issued and came forth from before him; a thousand thousands served him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him; the court sat in judgment, and the books were opened.

13 I saw in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like a son of man, and he came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before him.

14 And to him was given dominion and glory and kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed.

Responsorial Psalm — Psalm 138:1–5
Response: In the sight of the angels I will sing Your praises, Lord.

Alleluia — Psalm 103:21
Bless the LORD, all you angels, you ministers, who do His will.

Gospel — John 1:47–51
Nathanael confesses Jesus as the Son of God and King of Israel. Jesus replies: “You will see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.”

REFLECTION — The Angels of God
Today we honor Michael the protector, Gabriel the messenger, and Raphael the healer. The angels remind us that heaven is not silent: God’s messengers are near, His protection is real, and His healing is at work. They point us to Christ, the true ladder between heaven and earth.

TODAY’S CHALLENGE

Call on St. Michael when you feel attacked in spirit.

Ask St. Gabriel to strengthen your witness to the truth.

Invite St. Raphael to bring God’s healing into your wounds.
And above all, remember: the angels do not replace Christ — they reveal His closeness.

Reflection on Daniel 7:9–14, Psalm 138, and John 1:47–51

Let me tell you a story.

Nathanael was the kind of man who didn’t fall for easy talk. When his friend Philip came rushing up with excitement — “We’ve found the One Moses wrote about, Jesus of Nazareth!” — Nathanael scoffed: “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?”

But Philip didn’t argue. He simply said: “Come and see.”

So Nathanael came, skeptical, guarded. Before he could even speak, Jesus looked straight at him and said: “Here is a true Israelite, in whom there is no deceit.” Nathanael froze. How could this man from Nazareth know him so deeply?

Jesus added: “Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.”

That was the breaking point. Nathanael’s defenses melted. His heart opened, and he confessed: “Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!”

What This Means for Us

Each of us has a “fig tree” — a place of doubt, questions, or hidden searching. Nobody else sees it. But Jesus does. Before we even move toward Him, He already sees us there. He knows our hearts, our prayers, and our struggles.

The One Daniel saw in his vision — the Son of Man, crowned with glory and given a kingdom that will never be destroyed — is the same Jesus who looks at you today with love. He does not scold or shame you. He says instead: “I know you. I see you. And I want you in My kingdom.”

A Personal Invitation

Today’s Scriptures are not distant prophecies or ancient stories. They are personal. Just as Nathanael discovered, Jesus speaks not to a crowd but to you.

If you will let Him, He will draw you into His kingdom — the kingdom where heaven is opened, angels ascend and descend, and the glory of God never fades.

Remember this as you go about your day: before you even looked for Him, He saw you under your fig tree. And He is calling you now.