1st Samuel 3, John 1.43-51
Today, we hear a story about a young boy in the Temple who recognised the voice of God, and a man in Galilee who recognised the Son of God. There is nothing in the story to suggest why either of them should have seen or heard what other people missed, except perhaps for a hint of innocence and simplicity. In the words of St. Matthew, blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
Nathanael’s story is often overlooked when people talk about who first recognised Jesus’ deeper identity. Peter is mentioned (Mark 8), or Martha (John 11), but the writer of the fourth gospel wants us to know that, at the very outset of Jesus’ ministry, it was possible to see God himself at work.
So how can we cultivate that simplicity, or purity of heart? The gospel urges to become ‘as children’ if we really want to belong in God’s kingdom, but doesn’t tell us in what respect. I can feel my simplicity and purity of heart slipping away as I say that. Perhaps there is something in Jesus’ words about Nathanael that clarifies it for us: ‘a true Israelite (or ’truly an Israelite’) in whom there is no guile’.
Centuries later, the same child-like quality of child-like innocence and lack of guile could be seen in St. Francis. He wasn’t faultless—that isn’t the point—but he could recognise Christ in the world, and the world could recognise Christ in him.
