Discovering A Safe Place

Saint John Neumann, Bishop

~~~ 1 John 3:11-21 ~~~ Psalm 100 ~~~ John 1:43-51 ~~~

...we belong to the truth...

...a great light has come upon the earth...

...I saw you under the fig tree.

Jesus saw Nathaniel under the fig tree...

What does one do while sitting under a tree?

There are discoveries to be made

 under the protection of the fig tree.

Perhaps you will find a piece of fruit...

a seed may capture your attention.

Under the fig tree is a safe place to pause for prayer.

A place to meditate on how you 

belong to the truth because Jesus has saved you.

Even in the cool shade of the fig tree we are still part of the light.

You are kept in the light of his truth.

In this state we rest in prayer under the fig tree.

You may not find a great monument 

marking your place under the fig tree 

but it is always available for you.

Sitting under the fig tree is a place of shade...

a place of safety...

a place to sit quietly listening for 

the still small voice of God.

There is no duplicity in him.

Jesus is waiting for you to take a moment 

from your daily tasks to sit

 in the quiet shade of his fig tree.

When you are still and your mind becomes quiet 

Jesus enters into your heart.

He draws you to his light and truth.

Just like Nathaniel, you too can be changed 

while resting under the fig tree.

It only takes a glimpse from Jesus

 for his light to reach your soul.

Nathaniel walked away from his time 

under the fig tree a changed person.

He had questioned whether or not anything good 

could come from a small insignificant town...

Jesus is the one who came from that town of Nazareth.

I invite you to sit awhile under the fig tree...

allow Jesus to gaze upon you and you too will be a changed person.

Get up and follow Jesus he has plans for you...

there is work for you to do in the vineyard.

~~~Spreading Peace~~~

~~~2017~~~

Wisdom from the Fig Tree

 

~~~ Revelation 21:9b-14 ~~~ Psalm 145 ~~~ John 1:45-51 ~~~

 

Jesus answered and said to him,
“Before Philip called you,

 I saw you under the fig tree.” 

 

For some time I have been fascinated by the fig tree.

The fig tree is the last to produce leaves...right before summer.

The fig tree produces two crops of fruit every season.

The first is eaten fresh from the tree,

the second yield in late August is dried for the winter season.

The fig tree grows to around twenty feet and has large hairy leaves

about the size of a human hand.

 

As you recall, Adam and Eve grabbed these large

fig leaves to cover their nakedness.

The fig tree is mentioned over fifty times in the bible.

It held both nutritional and economic importance.

 

When things were going well in Israel people are described

as sitting under their own fig tree.

Today we see Jesus noticing that Nathaniel is sitting under the fig tree.

All was going well in his life.

He was a man who thought for himself.

He was a man who was opinionated about the neighboring cities.

 

“Can anything good come from Nazareth?”

 

The fig tree has been as a symbol of peace and prosperity.

The fig tree is unique that it produces fruit before it's leaves emerge.

Almost as a statement that it does not need

the leaves to produce it's fruit.

The flowers are not even visible on the fig tree

because from the beginning they are encased within the fruit.

 

Nathaniel is comfortably sitting in the shade of the fig tree.

He may be feeling a little skeptical of this person

from Nazareth called Jesus.

He is reluctant to leave the security of his 'fig tree'

 to come and see Jesus.

 

It often takes the urging of a close friend to convince him

 to leave the shade of the fig tree.

It is often up to us to reach out to a friend

who is sitting in the shade of their long held beliefs.

 

 

Jesus notices Nathaniel sitting under his fig tree, but Jesus

 is not the one who goes to him.

Jesus does not call Nathaniel to get up from his comfortable

 secure position in the shade.

Jesus waits patiently for Nathaniel to come to him.

 

Just as Jesus waits patiently for us today.

We must rely on God and not just on our fig tree.

It is God who produces prosperity in our lives.

Jesus basically tells Nathaniel you have not yet seen true prosperity.

'...you will see heaven opened and the angels of God
ascending and descending on the Son of Man.'

No matter how good we think we have it;

nothing compares to what God has prepared for us.

 

Blessings in leaving the shade of our 'fig tree'

to come and see the Lord.

In the Sight of Angels

The Feast of the Archangels:

Saints Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael

 

~~~ Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14 or Rev 12:7-12ab ~~~ Psalm 138 ~~~ John 1: 47-51 ~~~

 

Archangels are the highest level of angels.

Angels are 'messengers' derived from the Greek word 'aggelos'.

 

Certainly we are very familiar with the archangel Gabriel,

whom God sent to Mary in the Annunciation.

God also used an angel to assure St. Joseph that he should remain

with Mary in spite of her being with child.

 

Some report Angels to be mentioned 108 times in the Old Testament

and 165 in the New Testament.

As spirits, angels have no bodies so they can be present

and yet not seen by us.

 

I once heard a priest say that at each celebration of the Liturgy

angels surround the altar.

This to me is beautiful image when I think about even

the heavenly spirits praising God.

 

Archangels are so much more than the little cherubs we see on Valentine's day.

 

One day when I was teaching a little boy asked me if I believed in angels.

I told him yes. He then explained to me how he had seen an angel

while riding in the car one day. It was such a tender conversation.

He was speaking to me so innocently about his experience.

I think he was looking for someone whom he could safely confide in...

someone who would not make fun of him...

someone who also believed in angels.

 

I think we want to believe in angels.

I think for the most part angels maybe a real connection

between us and heaven.

I recently began visualizing my guardian angel

enveloping whatever vehicle I am riding in.

I happen to have a great fondness for Gabriel.

I feel safe having his wings enfolding the car or now the bus.

 

To me angels represent goodness. They were created by God.

They sing Holy, Holy, Holy forever praising God.

They are the heavenly hosts.

God entrusts his most precious messages for us

to his angels.

 

 

When Jesus saw Nathaniel 'under the fig tree' he made reference to angels.

 

"...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."

 

Can you imagine what a sight this will be...

angels everywhere as far as the eye can see singing and praising God.

 

I wonder what angel voices will sound like when we do get to hear them.

 

I believe there are more than enough angels for us to each have our own.

I am beginning to be more aware of my angel...conscious of its presence.

 

If you have not given much thought to your angel

today is a good day to begin.

How Do You Know Me?

~~~ Rv 21: 9b- 14~~~ Psalm 145 ~~~ John 1: 45- 51 ~~~

 

In this Gospel story Jesus sees Nathaniel coming toward him and immediately complements him for being a true child of Israel.   

Jesus continues to comment the Nathaniel has no duplicity in him.

The dictionary defines duplicity

 as deceitfulness in speech or conduct,

as by speaking or acting in two different ways

to different people concerning the same matter;

double-dealing.

 

Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and said of him,
"Here is a true child of Israel.
There is no duplicity in him."

Nathaniel was surprised that Jesus knew of him much less

that he could label him a true child of Israel.

It is not much of a stretch to believe that Jesus could read much about

Nathaniel just by looking at him.

Many times Jesus reveals knowledge about a person

in his presence without being told.

 

Jesus can read our hearts.

Jesus can look into your eyes and words are not needed.

Of course Nathaniel does not know that Jesus possesses this ability

to read hearts. It is expected that he would be surprised.

To Jesus we are like an open book.

 

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."

What happens under the fig tree?

It was known that Rabbis like their forefathers

sat and studied under the fig-tree.

Was Nathaniel sitting there under the fig tree with the elders

soaking up as much of their knowledge as he could?

Perhaps the fig tree was a favorite spot for Nathaniel; a place

where he could go to quietly reflect on his life.

Nathanael answered him,
"Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel."

There seems to be some mutual recognition between Jesus and Nathaniel.

Nathaniel addresses Jesus as Rabbi...a title of respect...of teacher.

He also immediately acknowledges Jesus as 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?

Whatever happened to Nathaniel under the fig tree was personal

and Jesus somehow reveals to Nathaniel he knew the secrets in his heart.

Jesus makes reference to the fig tree setting it apart as significant.

If the fig tree was not somehow important; then why would

Jesus even mention it to Nathaniel.

 

You will see greater things than this."

 

Jesus says to Nathaniel if you think what happens

under the fig tree is great

you are in for a real treat if you come with me.

You will experience things that will blow you away...

just walk with me for awhile and you will be amazed.

 

 

Here is our invitation...

this passage has been my inspiration for inviting my readers

to join me under the fig tree.

Truths are revealed the fig tree...Jesus surprises us under the fig tree...

Jesus promises that if we come with him we too will see greater things.

 

Pray for God to amaze you with things far beyond your imagination.

There is no need for duplicity when Jesus is coming toward you.

After all what could you hide from Our Lord?

Under the Fig Tree

Have you ever been surprised by being singled out in a crowd of people? I have.

Several years ago I was attending a local conference where Thomas Keating was a speaker. I have been very fond of his writings for some time. He reminds me of how God the Father might appear. If I had to create an earthly image of him. His demeanor is that of a loving, caring father. We would all cherish such an endearing father figure. He is a Catholic monk.

While in the lobby during a break I noticed a group of people gathered around him, just I have imagined Jesus had people gathered around him. I walked up to join the group and something quite astonishing happened. It was so unusual that I am sure I will never forget it. He immediately turned toward me and said, "I don't think I have met you yet." He reached out his hand as I introduced my self to him. He was so totally present; not just to the group, but to me personally.

I was reminded of this story while reading today's gospel from John 1: 43-51. The scene is Jesus decides to go to Galilee where he recruits Philip. Philip is so excited that he runs to invite Nathaniel to join them too. Today Philip would post on Facebook or send a Twitter announcement.
Nathaniel was reluctant at first saying, "Can anything good come from Nazareth?" But Philip being a diligent friend says look just "Come and see". Philip was saying in effect humor me and if this is not for you fine; you can go your own way.

But what happens next to Nathaniel totally takes him by surprise. Jesus addresses him as if he already knows him well. "Here is a true child of Israel. There is no duplicity in him." Imagine how Nathaniel must have felt. He did not know Jesus and yet Jesus greets him with conviction about who he is...an honest child of Israel. In Nathaniel there is no deceptiveness. Jesus saw right into the very soul of Nathaniel.

Jesus had seen Nathaniel under the fig tree...maybe in the shadows...maybe half behind the trunk. Perhaps he was curious, but did not want to get too close or mingle with the crowd.

Perhaps Jesus had already chosen Nathaniel at first sight; knowing how clean was his heart. We do not know. Jesus shares in just a few words an amazing revelation..."You will see greater  things than this."
I can only imagine how stunned Nathaniel must have been. A holy day dawned on Nathaniel under the fig tree that day. He was forever a changed man.
Thomas Keating will hold a dear place in my heart for a long time as a reminder of how Jesus sees others.

I chose the original image of a modern jazz dance because Nathaniel's life will never be the same. He became a new man that day Under the Fig Tree.