would suffer innocently and patiently as foretold by Isaias (chapter LIII); and that in the sacrifice of Christ all other sacrifices find their fulfilment. Hence the Church has put these beautiful words in her Liturgy (Daily Mass, Holy Communion, Litanies).
2. John testifies to our Lord’s Pre-existence or Eternity, saying that though born after him He was before him.
3. Finally, the holy Baptist plainly testifies to Christ’s Divinity: “I (because I heard the voice which spoke from heaven, when Jesus was baptized), I give testimony that this is the Son of God!”
Jesus Himself made manifest His Divine Nature: 1. by knowing and revealing hidden and distant things. He knew and penetrated the hearts of Simon and Nathanael, and knew that Nathanael had been called by Philip, and that, before then, he had been under a fig-tree; 2. by allowing Nathanael’s confession of faith: 'Thou art the Son of God', to pass without protest, and by confirming it with the promise that still greater wonders should justify this faith.
The foundation of the Church. By the calling of His disciples, Jesus laid the foundation of His Church simultaneously with His first appearance in public. These disciples, at first, only remained for a short time with Jesus. Later on, He chose twelve to be His constant followers and disciples.
The rock on which the Church is built. God changes the names of those only whom He calls to accomplish great works. For example, He changed Jacob’s name into Israel, which was to be the name of the whole people descended from him, and which indicated his calling. By the change of Simon’s name to Peter, our Lord gave it to be understood that He had chosen this disciple to be the foundation-rock of His Church.
Humility. St. John the Baptist did not seek his own glory, but the glory of Jesus Christ, whose precursor God had called him to be. Without any thought of himself, he sent his disciples to our Lord. Even as the morning-star pales and disappears before the light of the rising sun, even so was it John’s desire to be extinguished when Jesus came.
Zeal for souls. Andrew and Philip were full of joy at having found the Messias and become His disciples. They showed their thankfulness for the great grace they had received, by their endeavours to impart it to their friends and relatives. All who love Jesus have a zealous desire to make their friends love Him also.
Sincerity also is a great virtue and specially praised by our Lord in the case of Nathanael. We may justly assume that by his sincerity of heart Nathanael obtained the grace of faith and of being called to be a disciple and companion of Christ.
