"Philip said to him, 'Come and see.'" John 1:46c
One of the best scenes in all of cinema is the moment in the third Lord of the Rings movie, The Return of the King, when Frodo – the only person capable of taking the ring to its destruction, has an empty tank and can go no further. His faithful friend and companion on the journey, Samwise Gamgee, says, "Come on, Mr. Frodo. I can't carry it for you, but I can carry you!" He then picks up Frodo and carries him up the remainder of the mountain.
Nathanael in today's Gospel was jaded and doubted the veracity of Phillip's claim. You can hear him saying, "What a joke! This guy you met is not the Messiah!" The future saint might not have met Christ if not for his friend Phillip who, in his excitement about having found and followed the Messiah, spent time with his friend and told him all about Jesus, and persisted in inviting him to meet the Christ. Sometimes people need us to carry them: to carry them physically in service like Samwise, or to carry them emotionally or spiritually – to persist despite their jaded or hurt excuses and keep inviting them to "Come and see" Jesus. And other times, we need someone to carry us, to be our faithful companion on the journey.
When have I been Nathanael and needed someone to carry me, physically, emotionally, or spiritually? And who is a Nathanael in my life who needs me to be their faithful friend like Phillip?
Jesus, I know you have the power to change lives; give me the courage to invite others to you, and the strength to carry them when necessary.
Today's Reflection is by:
Mike Buckler
Did you know...
Mike Buckler has a passion for Jesus, basketball, and fair trade coffee. He has been a youth ministry leader for twenty years, with thirteen of those as a full-time youth minister in a parish. Mike now serves in the Diocesan Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministry. He and his wife Megan live in Wesley Chapel with their four children.
