💖 HOMILY - SEPTEMBER 29 💖

First Reading - Daniel 7:9-10,13-14 

Gospel - John 1:47-51

We often judge things by what we can see. We look at a person’s appearance, achievements, position, or circumstances, and we form our conclusions. But the readings today remind us that God sees beyond appearances, and faith enables us to see what is not immediately visible.

In the first reading, Daniel receives a vision of heaven. He sees the Ancient of Days seated in glory, surrounded by countless heavenly beings. Then he sees “one like a son of man” coming with the clouds of heaven. He is given dominion, glory, and kingship, and all peoples and nations are commanded to serve him. His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom.

This vision points us toward Christ. Jesus is not simply another teacher or prophet. He is the Son of Man who receives an everlasting kingdom. His authority does not come from worldly power. His kingdom is eternal because it comes from God.

The Gospel brings this great mystery into a very personal encounter. Jesus meets Nathanael and says, “Here is truly an Israelite in whom there is no deceit!” Nathanael is surprised: “How do you know me?” Jesus tells him that he saw him under the fig tree before Philip called him.

That small detail changes everything for Nathanael. Jesus knows him before Nathanael has even met him. Jesus sees him more deeply than Nathanael could imagine. And Nathanael responds, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!”

Then Jesus makes an even greater promise: “You will see greater things than these… you will see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man.”

Notice the connection with Daniel. Daniel sees the Son of Man coming with the clouds and receiving an everlasting kingdom. In the Gospel, Jesus identifies himself with the Son of Man through whom heaven itself is opened. The one whom Daniel saw in vision is now standing before Nathanael.

There is therefore a movement in the Gospel: Nathanael begins by asking, “How do you know me?” But Jesus leads him toward a deeper question: “Who is Jesus?” Nathanael discovers that Jesus knows him because Jesus is more than an ordinary human being. He is the Son of God and the King.

This is also an invitation for us. We may sometimes feel that nobody truly understands us. There are things in our lives that others do not see-our struggles, disappointments, fears, and hopes. But the Gospel reminds us that Christ sees us completely. He knows us not merely from the outside; he knows our hearts.

And yet, being known by Christ is not the end. Jesus says, “You will see greater things.” Faith means allowing Jesus to take us beyond what we presently understand. We may begin with a small experience of God, a prayer, a moment of grace, a person who helps us, or a difficult situation in which we discover God’s presence. But Jesus tells us that there is always more to see.

Today, therefore, let us ask for the grace not only to look at Jesus, but truly to recognize who he is. He is the Son of God, the Son of Man, the King whose kingdom does not pass away. And he is also the Lord who knows each one of us personally.

We may not understand everything that God is doing in our lives, but we can trust the One who sees us completely. When we allow Christ to open our eyes, we begin to see that heaven is not distant from us. In Christ, heaven is opened, and God comes close to us.