I saw you under the fig tree

I saw you under the fig tree.

What was going through Nathanael’s mind as he sat under that fig tree?   Being familiar with Scripture, he may have recalled the words of Micah, where the prophet promises that “they shall all sit . . . under their own fig trees, undisturbed” .   Perhaps Nathanael prayed, “Lord, hasten that day!”

In the midst of these musings, Philip summoned Nathanael to meet Jesus, who looked into his heart.   Seeing Nathanael, Jesus promised him an open heaven and “greater things than this,” even visions of angels .

Just as Jesus saw Nathanael under the fig tree, he sees each of us.   Just as he could read Nathanael’s heart, he knows our thoughts intimately.   He sees us both when we pray and when prayer is the furthest thing from our minds.   He knows the deepest longings of our hearts, and he wants to fulfill them.   Just as he did for Nathanael, Jesus promises to open heaven for us so that we, too, can see “greater things” than we ever imagined.

So today, remember that Jesus sees you.   He knows when you sit and when you stand.   He knows your thoughts “from afar” .   He knows your fondest hopes and your deepest fears.   And he offers you grace and divine help today.   He will strengthen you in your vocation, just as he sent the archangel Gabriel to Mary, when he told her she would be the Mother of God.   He will open your eyes to see him more clearly, as he sent Raphael to cure Tobit’s blindness.   And he will fight alongside you in your battles with sin, as he sent Michael to oppose Satan and defend God’s people.   Whether you’re under a fig tree, in your kitchen, or in your car, know that Jesus is near.

-word among us