December 2007 The Road to Daybreak A Spiritual Journey by Henri J M Nouwen

Continue from ...... Seeing and Being Seen Today we celebrate the Feast of St Bartholomew. I am struck by the first encounter between Jesus and Bartholomew, who in the Gospel is called Nathanael. The emphasis is on seeing. Jesus said to Nathanael, "Before Philip came to call you, I saw you under the fig tree," and after Nathanael's response: "You are the Son of God," Jesus remarked, "You believe that just because I said I saw you under the fig tree. You will see greater things than that . . . you will see heaven laid open, and above the Son of man, and the angels of God ascending and descending" (Jn. 1:49-51). The story speaks deeply to me since it raises the questions "Do I want to be seen by Jesus? Do I want to be known by him?" If I do, then a faith can grow which proclaims Jesus as the Son of God. Only such a faith can open my eyes and reveal an open heaven. Thus, I will see when I am willing to be seen. I will receive new eyes that can see the mysteries of God's own life when I allow God to see me, all of me, even those parts that I myself do not want to see. O Lord, see me and let me see.

- To Be Continued - © Copyright Shalom 2007. All rights reserved.