John 1:45-51

Revelation 21:9b-14

Psalm 145:10-11, 12-13, 17-18

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.”

Opening Prayer: Lord God, you have called me by name. You have known me from all eternity. You knew who my parents would be, and where I would grow up. You have cared for me all these years. Continue to guide me and lead me to enjoy eternal life with you and my loved ones.

Encountering the Word of God

1. The Names of the First Five Apostles: The Gospels do a good job of giving us the names of Jesus’ apostles. We often get four identifying markers: their name, their “nickname,” the name of their father, and the name of their hometown. The first of the Apostles, Simon, was the son of John (or Jonah), was from Capernaum, and was given the name “Peter” (Kephas, which means “rock”). The name “Simon” means “listen” or “hearing.” Jewish men in the first century A.D. were named Simon not only because the name was one of the twelve sons of Jacob, but also because Simon was also one of the Maccabees, who led a revolt against their Greek (Seleucid) authorities and reconsecrated the defiled Temple. Simon’s surname “Bar-Jonah” (Son of Jonah) is likely symbolic or was a contraction of “Bar-Johanan” (Son of John). The symbolic meaning refers to the parallels between Jonah, sent to preach to the capital city of Nineveh, and Simon Peter, sent to preach to the capital city of Rome. Simon’s brother was Andrew. Andrew was a Greek name that means “manly” or “virile.” The third and fourth apostles were James and John. They were the sons of Zebedee and were from the town of Bethsaida. They were given the nickname “Boergeneas” which means “sons of thunder.” James is a Greek version of the Hebrew name “Jacob,” which means “grabs the heel.” John, on the other hand, means in Hebrew, “YWHW is gracious” or “graced by YHWH.” The fifth Apostle was a tax collector. His Hebrew name was Levi, which means “united” or “joined.” As a tax collector, he had a Greek name, “Matthew.” This was a transliteration from the Hebrew, which meant “gift of YHWH.” Levi (Matthew) lived in Capernaum and his father’s name was “Alphaeus.” 

2. The Names of the Next Seven Apostles: The Apostle we celebrate today was named “Nathanael,” which means “God has given.” His father was “Talmai.” That is why he was also called “Bar-tholomew,” or “son of Talmai.” He was from Cana in Galilee. Jesus didn’t give him a nickname but did point out that unlike the original Jacob (Israel), Nathanael was an Israelite without guile or duplicity. The seventh apostle was named Simon and was nicknamed the “Zealot” or “zealous” (religious). His other epithet “the Canaanite,” was either from the same root as “Zealot” or was a reference to his hometown of Cana. It is possible that Simon was one of Jesus’ relatives and was the son of Cleopas, the brother of St. Joseph. The eighth apostle was named Philip. This was a Greek name meaning “friend” or “lover” of horses. Like Simon Peter and Andrew, Philip was from the town of Bethsaida and this explains the openness of his family to a Greek rather than Hebrew name. We do not know the name of his father. The ninth Apostle was likely another cousin of Jesus named James (Jacob). He was the Son of Alphaeus (also known as Cleopas). He was nicknamed “the brother of the Lord” and “the just.” The tenth Apostle was Thomas, which in Aramaic and Hebrew meant “twin.” His nickname or Greek name was “Didymus,” which meant “twin.” The last two apostles were named Judah, which means “praise.” Judas was a common name in the first century since men were often named after the heroes of the Maccabean revolt. Jude Thaddeus was likely the son of a man named James (Jacob). His second name, Thaddai, means “heart” or “courageous.” He is distinct from Judas Iscariot, a name which means “the man from Kerioth” or “the traitor.” Judas’s father’s name was Simon. Judas Iscariot was replaced by Matthias, whose name was the same as Matthew and meant “gift of YHWH.” 

3. The Revelation of the Foundation of the New Jerusalem: The First Reading is taken from the Book of Revelation and gives us a symbolic explanation of the New Jerusalem. John’s description of the New Jerusalem, the Bride of the Lamb, draws a contrast with the vision of the old Jerusalem, symbolically called “Babylon.” John is asking his readers: Which Jerusalem will you choose? In the New Jerusalem, the twelve gates have the names of the tribes of Israel: “Israel may be described as a gate, since through God’s promises to them, the whole world enters into His covenant family. The foundations for the walls of the city have the names of the twelve apostles on them, signifying that the Church is built on them. This of course is an image borrowed from Jesus Himself, who made Peter the foundation rock upon which the Church is built (cf. Mt. 16:18). Likewise, Paul explains that the Church is ‘built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets’ (Eph. 2:20)” (Barber, Coming Soon, 263). The Church does not replace Israel. Rather, there is both continuity and newness. The original vocation of Israel to be a light to all the nations is fulfilled through the ministry of the Apostles and through the missionary work of the Church throughout the centuries.

Conversing with Christ: Lord Jesus, you are my Savior and the Savior of the whole world. You know me better than I know myself. You know my faults and my strengths, my vices, and my virtues, the times I have been generous and the times I have been selfish. Grant me true self-knowledge so that I may better conform my life to yours.

Living the Word of God: The Book of Revelation encourages us to act in such a way that our names are not blotted out of the Book of Life. As well, if we are faithful, we will be given a new name (Revelation 2:17). What are the meanings of my first, middle, and last name? Do I know why I was given the name I was given? What is the meaning of my confirmation name? Can I set aside time to pray for my family members and extended family members today?