surprised and cautious // 2011.08.24

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Reading today's Gospel, I can't help but wonder what would've happened if Nathanael didn't heed Philip's words, "come and see". They were telling him that they met the Messiah, and all he could think of was "Can anything good come from Nazareth?". Fortunately he came and see.

A few verses after, we suddenly hear him say, "you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel!" Wow! That change of heart was quick. Makes one smile reading Jesus' words, "Do you believe because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree?" In other words, did he believe just because he saw something spectacular? Fortunately, it was really the Son of God whom he met.

Sometimes we're like that. We jump to a conclusion and think "that's it!" without even really looking deeper to find out what the truth is. Or sometimes we see something fascinating and immediately fall on our knees as if it's the greatest thing that ever happened.

Jesus reminds us that He comes to us in the unexpected. Let us not take for granted even the smallest things that enter our lives. At the same time, He also reminds us that He is much greater than any miracle. Unless we see that it is really Him, let us not jump from the boat only to drown.

Look around you and be surprised by the beauty of God's work. At the same time, do not be swayed off Him by mere eye candies. What He offers is much greater than the malicious pictures in pornography, or even the riches of this world.