Mission with Mystical Meaning

 The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to be open to spiritual invitation from God to deepen our experience of the reality of our existence as spiritual beings in human bodies.

The Way to Truth

The Reading from the Book of Revelation presents the vision of the New Jerusalem.

 

* [21:9–22:5] Symbolic descriptions of the new Jerusalem, the church. Most of the images are borrowed from Ez 40–48.

* [21:9] The bride, the wife of the Lamb: the church (Rev 21:2), the new Jerusalem (Rev 21:10); cf. 2 Cor 11:2.

* [21:14] Courses of stones,apostles: literally, “twelve foundations”; cf. Eph 2:19–20. (Revelation, CHAPTER 21 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 145 declares God’s mighty acts show forth divine kingship, a major theme in the literature of early Judaism and in Christianity.

* [Psalm 145] A hymn in acrostic form; every verse begins with a successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet. Acrostic poems usually do not develop ideas but consist rather of loosely connected statements. The singer invites all to praise God (Ps 145:1–3, 21). The “works of God” make God present and invite human praise (Ps 145:4–7); they climax in a confession (Ps 145:8–9). God’s mighty acts show forth divine kingship (Ps 145:10–20), a major theme in the literature of early Judaism and in Christianity. (Psalms, PSALM 145 | USCCB, n.d.)

The Gospel of John presents Jesus' revelation of His Divine Nature to Nathanael.

* [1:47] A true Israelite. There is no duplicity in him: Jacob was the first to bear the name “Israel” (Gn 32:29), but Jacob was a man of duplicity (Gn 27:35–36).

* [1:48] Under the fig tree: a symbol of messianic peace (cf. Mi 4:4; Zec 3:10).

* [1:49] Son of God: this title is used in the Old Testament, among other ways, as a title of adoption for the Davidic king (2 Sm 7:14; Ps 2:7; 89:27), and thus here, with King of Israel, in a messianic sense. For the evangelist, Son of God also points to Jesus’ divinity (cf. Jn 20:28).

* [1:50] Possibly a statement: “You [singular] believe because I saw you under the fig tree.”

* [1:51] The double “Amen” is characteristic of John. You is plural in Greek. The allusion is to Jacob’s ladder (Gn 28:12). (John, CHAPTER 1 | USCCB, n.d.)

Cindy Murphy McMahon comments that John’s gospel says much about friendship, skepticism, trust, and the importance of being open to changing our minds when confronted with new information. Jesus must have chuckled to himself over Nathanael’s need for answers.

Jesus replies that he saw him “under the fig tree,” before Philip had even approached him. We don’t know exactly what that means, but it was obviously something Nathanael realized Jesus couldn’t have known with normal human perception. Wherever the fig tree was, whether physically or metaphorically, it held special meaning for Nathanael. He knew Jesus must possess supernatural power to have been aware of that.

Nathanael immediately changes his mind about who Jesus is. The skeptic becomes a convert. How refreshing. May we be as eager to drop preconceived ideas when confronted with the truth, and especially when we experience God’s love in an unexpected way as we go about our days.

Lord, we pray for the wisdom to recognize the opportunities you present us each day, and we ask you to help us loosen our grip on whatever may separate us – ego, comforts, material possessions – from you. (Murphy McMahon, 2026)

Don Schwager quotes The Lord of Angels, by John Chrysostom (347-407 AD).

"Do you see how he [Jesus] leads him [Nathanael] up little by little from the earth and causes him no longer to imagine him as merely a man? For one to whom angels minister and on whom angels ascend and descend, how could he be a man? This is why he said, 'You shall see greater things than these.' And to prove this, he introduces the ministry of angels. What he means is something like this: Does this, O Nathanael, seem to you a great matter, and have you for this confessed me to be King of Israel? What then will you say when you see 'angels ascending and descending on me'? He persuades him by these words to receive him as Lord also of the angels. For on him as on the king's own son, the royal ministers ascended and descended, once at the season of the crucifixion, again at the time of the resurrection and the ascension, and before this also, when they 'came and ministered to him' (Matthew 4:11). They also ascended and descended when they proclaimed the good news of his birth and cried, 'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace' (Luke 2:14), when they came to Mary and also when they came to Joseph... Our Lord made the present a proof of the future. After the powers he had already shown, Nathanael would readily believe that much more would follow." (excerpt from the Homilies On the Gospel of John 21.1) (Schwager, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments that Revelation presents the Church as the bride of the Lamb. Jerusalem descends from the skies as a symbol of the true utopia that descends from God and the twelve apostles of the Lamb are the foundation of the Church. Bartholomew, likely Nathanael in John’s Gospel, is seen under the fig tree where scholars traditionally studied the Law. The name “true child of Israel” is based on Jacob who had been a deceiver except when Jacob wrestled with God and received a new name, Israel, and Nathanael is declared a true child of Israel struggling to understand Scripture. Nathanael realizes Jesus could not have seen his wrestling with the text as Jesus cites Jacob symbolism to Nathanael. Friar Jude notes Nathanael will be Israel as an example we will need to wrestle with God.

The Word Among Us Meditation on John 1:45-51 asks, like Nathanael, we, too, may see only the earthly reality but miss the heavenly one. We might wonder, “What good can come from X situation?” or “What good can come from a Y relationship?” But as he did for Nathanael, Jesus can open our minds and give us a heavenly perspective on whatever might be puzzling to us. He can help us see everything in the light of his love and his purpose for our lives.

Let Jesus open your mind today. Close your eyes and picture yourself resting under the shade of a leafy tree, like Nathanael. Imagine Jesus walking toward you. He sits down next to you, looks at you intently, and says, “Before the creation of the world, I saw you and I loved you. Now, what’s on your mind?” Go ahead and share your heart with him. Then wait and see how he responds. Even if you don’t hear anything in that moment, trust that over time, Jesus will open your eyes to see your life in a heavenly light.

God has “greater things” in store for you (John 1:50)—and he wants you to set your sights on them, even now!

“Jesus, open my mind and my heart to heaven!” (Meditation on John 1:45-51, n.d.)

Father Richard Rohr describes the characteristics and purposes of the true self in greater depth. The true self is the Divine Indwelling, the Holy Spirit within us.

I would say that the true self is precisely the divine part of us that is great enough, deep enough, gracious enough to fully accept the human part of us. If we are merely human, we will tend to reject our embarrassingly limited humanity. Think on that!

Paradoxically, immense humility, not arrogance, characterizes someone who lives from their true self. They simultaneously know they are a child of God, but they also know that they didn’t earn it and are not worthy of it. They know it’s entirely a gift (see Ephesians 2:8–9 and throughout the Pauline writings). All they can do is thank Somebody Else, occasionally weep with joy, and kneel without any hesitation. (Rohr, n.d.)

We are inspired by the Spirit to be able to recognize the Presence of the Divine in all the people we encounter in our daily journey, and we seek the patience to respond with love.

References

John, CHAPTER 1 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved August 24, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/1?45 

Meditation on John 1:45-51. (n.d.). Word Among Us. Retrieved August 24, 2026, from https://wau.org/meditations/2026/08/24/1653355/ 

Murphy McMahon, C. (2026, August 24). Daily Reflection August 24, 2026 | Creighton Online Ministries. Creighton Online Ministries. Retrieved August 24, 2026, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/daily-reflections/daily-reflection-august-24-2026 

Psalms, PSALM 145 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved August 24, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/145? 

Revelation, CHAPTER 21 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Bible Readings, Audio and Video Every Morning | USCCB. Retrieved August 24, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/revelation/21?9 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). Recognizing Our True Self. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved August 24, 2026, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/recognizing-our-true-self/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). Come and See. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved August 24, 2026, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/ 

Shalom and Society

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to be ambassadors of Christ by living with the “peace” that comes from the Spirit and guides our efforts to build a society in the New Jerusalem.

Way to the New Jerusalem

The reading from the Acts of the Apostles shares the development of the Letter of the Apostles in the Council of Jerusalem.

* [15:13–35] Some scholars think that this apostolic decree suggested by James, the immediate leader of the Jerusalem community, derives from another historical occasion than the meeting in question. This seems to be the case if the meeting is the same as the one related in Gal 2:1–10. According to that account, nothing was imposed upon Gentile Christians in respect to Mosaic law; whereas the decree instructs Gentile Christians of mixed communities to abstain from meats sacrificed to idols and from blood-meats, and to avoid marriage within forbidden degrees of consanguinity and affinity (Lv 18), all of which practices were especially abhorrent to Jews. Luke seems to have telescoped two originally independent incidents here: the first a Jerusalem “Council” that dealt with the question of circumcision, and the second a Jerusalem decree dealing mainly with Gentile observance of dietary laws (see Acts 21:25 where Paul seems to be learning of the decree for the first time). (Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 15 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 67 is a petition for a bountiful harvest.

* [Psalm 67] A petition for a bountiful harvest (Ps 67:7), made in the awareness that Israel’s prosperity will persuade the nations to worship its God.

* [67:2] May God be gracious to us: the people’s petition echoes the blessing pronounced upon them by the priests, cf. Nm 6:22–27. (Psalms, PSALM 67 | USCCB, n.d.)

The reading from the Book of Revelation presents a vision of God’s eternal kingdom in heaven under the symbols of a new heaven and a new earth.

* [21:9–22:5] Symbolic descriptions of the new Jerusalem, the church. Most of the images are borrowed from Ez 40–48.

* [21:9] The bride, the wife of the Lamb: the church (Rev 21:2), the new Jerusalem (Rev 21:10); cf. 2 Cor 11:2.

* [21:14] Courses of stones,apostles: literally, “twelve foundations”; cf. Eph 2:19–20. (Revelation, CHAPTER 21 | USCCB, n.d.)

In the Gospel of John, Jesus promises “shalom” as a blessing from The Advocate.

* [14:27] Peace: the traditional Hebrew salutation šālôm; but Jesus’ “Shalom” is a gift of salvation, connoting the bounty of messianic blessing.

* [14:28] The Father is greater than I: because he sent, gave, etc., and Jesus is “a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God” (Jn 8:40). (John, CHAPTER 14 | USCCB, n.d.)

Larry Gillick, S.J. shares that what he worries most about in this area is how we can listen to any scripture, hear any homily, read any book and interpret something where we are challenged to do more, believe more, act more, be more. Always the “more” which then becomes the center of what we can easily call the Spiritual Life. He fears it can more easily become the center of our “Egoality”. The main result for our spirits is that we are not enough and so feel spiritually inadequate and inferior.

Jesus, the Incarnation of the Loving Creative God, does not challenge, but invites, encourages and sends the Advocate to continue God’s on-going creational love in our lives. God does the laboring within us and around us. If we are to feel better about ourselves, it will be as a result of our allowing ourselves to be poor enough to be enriched, met, encouraged and improved, by our having been met in the simplicity of our true selfs.

The result of all this then is listening to the words “Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid.” “Peace I give to you; Not as the world gives do I give it to you.” God gives it, we do not earn it! This is an insult to our egos and good for God! As with the grass, flowers and trees, we grow interiorly first and then Easter all over the place. (Gillick, 2025)

 

Don Schwager quotes “God is pleased to dwell in us,” by Augustine of Hippo, 354-430 A.D.

"God is not too grand to come, he is not too fussy or shy, he is not too proud - on the contrary he is pleased to come if you do not displease him. Listen to the promise he makes. Listen to him indeed promising with pleasure, not threatening in displeasure, "We shall come to him," he says, "I and the Father." To the one he had earlier called his friend, the one who obeys his precepts, the keeper of his commandment, the lover of God, the lover of his neighbor, he says, "We shall come to him and make our abode with him." (excerpt from Sermon 23,6) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on John 14:23-29 comments that the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, . . . will teach you everything (John 14:26). Jesus taught his followers many things that the Gospels record, but he wants to continue speaking to our minds and hearts. That’s why he sent us the Holy Spirit. He will lead us and guide us in every situation we face.

“My peace I give to you” (John 14:27). After Jesus’ ascension, the disciples will face persecution and even martyrdom. But despite these trials, Jesus’ peace will remain with them. They will know a wholeness and tranquility that can only come from the Lord. This is his gift to us as well.

How have you seen these promises fulfilled in your walk with the Lord? Think of all the times you have felt his presence in your heart. Recall when the Holy Spirit helped you understand more about the Lord or guided you in a specific way. Remember how God’s peace descended on you in a hectic or difficult time.

God always fulfills his promises. So wherever you find yourself today, believe what Jesus has “told you” (John 14:25, 29). Then look for how he is working in your life, just as he said he would!

“Jesus, help me to trust in your promises!” (Meditation on John 14:23-29, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments that passage in Acts tells of Paul and Barnabas visit to Jerusalem and consultation with the apostles. The requirements placed on the Gentiles differ from the message in Galatians. The obligation on meat and refraining from sexual immorality is seen in 1 Corinthians in 80’s CE. It was written into Acts but was a later decision. The passage from Revelations describes the Holy city Jerusalem and heaven as a society not “you and me Jesus”. Friar Jude reminds us that the John 14 passage from Last Supper discourse describes the  Paraclete as an ambiguous counselor, advocate, and teacher and reminds us the Spirit will continue the instruction. Jesus leaves the community with “shalom” indicating whatever happens will be the will of God and we should feel a sense of joy in the will of the Father. 

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, notes this week’s meditations focus on the shadow self, a recurring theme in his work. His understanding of the shadow comes primarily from Swiss psychotherapist Carl Gustav Jung (1875–1961). 

Our self-image is not substantial or lasting; it’s simply created out of our own mind, desire, and choice—and everybody else’s preferences for us! It’s not objective at all but entirely subjective (which does not mean that it doesn’t have real influence). The movement to second-half-of-life wisdom has much to do with necessary shadow work and the emergence of healthy self-critical thinking. These alone allow us to see beyond our own shadow and disguise and to find who we are, “hidden with Christ in God,” as Paul puts it (Colossians 3:3). The Zen masters call it “the face we had before we were born.” This self cannot die, lives forever and is our true self. Religion is always in some way about discovering our true self (or soul), which is also to discover God, who is our deepest truth. [2] (Rohr, n.d.)

We contemplate the meaning of “shalom” to our mission and sense of connection to Christ and the people in our environment.

References

Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 15 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved May 25, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/acts/15?1 

Gillick, L. (2025, May 25). Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Online Ministries. Retrieved May 25, 2025, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/052525.html 

John, CHAPTER 14 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved May 25, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/14?23 

Meditation on John 14:23-29. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved May 25, 2025, from https://wau.org/meditations/2025/05/25/1283793/ 

Psalms, PSALM 67 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved May 25, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/67?2 

Revelation, CHAPTER 21 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved May 25, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/revelation/21?10 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). What Is the Shadow? Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved May 25, 2025, fromhttps://cac.org/daily-meditations/what-is-the-shadow/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). My Peace I Give to You. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved May 25, 2025, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2025&date=may25