MASS READINGS:

A reading from the holy Gospel according to 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."

REFLECTION:

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

Abraham Lincoln is known as one of the best presidents in American History. During the deadly Civil War, he held the United States together and spoke out against the nation’s division using a reference from the Gospel of Mark 3:25, “A house divided against itself cannot stand.” He was a leader with a sense of humor. In refuting an insult from his opponent Douglas in being called two-faced he said, “If I were two-faced, would I be wearing this one?” He had common sense, “Be sure you put your feet in the right place, then stand firm.” He was humble, “Don’t worry when you are not recognized, but strive to be worthy of recognition.” And he was honest, without duplicity, “No man has a good enough memory to be a successful liar.” He was respectfully called “Honest Abe”.

I wonder how Abraham Lincoln would fit in today’s society. Society is functioning and passing laws based on its own opinion of what is right and wrong. In fact, these laws change over time reversing just to unjust. It used to be that children were treasures of the family, not disposable inconveniences and gay marriages were never allowed. Our laws supporting these ideas are creating a society of death.

The duplicity of people’s mindset is revealed through our dress and actions. Clothes used to be worn for modesty and not for showing off your body. Does wearing immodest clothing help us stand in the right place with God? Manners showing respect for elders and priests used to be the most important thing a parent could teach their children. Children used to wait to speak to an adult and reverently stood in the presence of priests. Are we teaching our children to be “worthy of recognition”? These are just some examples of duplicity of saying one thing and doing another in our society.

Duplicity abounds because people believe they are just fine since they are happy meeting all their wants and needs. However, deception prevails resulting in a society that does not value life or God’s just laws.

Let us not forget how God watches us. Jesus saw the honesty of Nathaniel. What will Jesus see and say when he looks at us? God is Truth and Truth has no duplicity. Whatever He says will remain, because Truth does not change.