Nathanael wins over Jesus’ heart by his simplicity
Children’s lack of complications
THE APOSTLE Saint Bartholomew is traditionally identified with Nathanael, a native of Cana in Galilee (cf. Jn 21:2). He was a friend of Philip, who spoke enthusiastically to him about the teacher from Nazareth he had just met, convinced that He was the Messiah. But Nathanael’s response was like a bucket of cold water on his hopes: “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” (Jn 1:46).
It is fascinating to see, in the first chapter of John’s Gospel, how Jesus’ first disciples speak quite naturally about our Lord to their friends and relatives. They are moved by the joy they experience in his presence and a great sense of newness; they have found a treasure and want to share it with those closest to them. Perhaps they cannot describe in words what it is that attracts them so much to Jesus, and so they resort to a very direct invitation: “Come and see” (Jn 1:46). It will not be Philip who directly changes Nathanael’s life, but his face-to-face encounter with our Lord. “Faith is born by attraction; one does not become a Christian because one is forced by someone, but because one has been touched by love.”[1]
The dialogue between Philip and Nathanael reveals a deep friendship, filled with trust. Each shares with his friend what is in his heart, showing himself as he is and expressing his opinions with simplicity. Nathanael initially expresses his skepticism that a prophet, much less the Messiah, could come from a place like Nazareth. But his trust in Philip is stronger than his misgivings, and so he decides to accept the invitation to meet our Lord. “Our knowledge of Jesus needs above all a first-hand experience: someone else's testimony is of course important, for normally the whole of our Christian life begins with the proclamation handed down to us by one or more witnesses. But we ourselves must then be personally involved in a close and deep relationship with Jesus.”[2]
NATHANAEL is surprised by our Lord’s very personal greeting: “Here is a true Israelite, in whom there is no deceit” (Jn 1:47). Hearing this praise, he responds with amazement: “How do you know me?” (Jn 1:48). Jesus’ answer is, at first glance, puzzling: “Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you” (Jn 1:48). This statement seems quite mysterious to us, but Nathanael clearly knew what our Lord is referring to: probably something that had great importance in his life. “His heart is moved by Jesus’ words, he feels understood and he realizes: ‘This man knows everything about me, he knows and is familiar with the path of my life; I can truly trust this man.’ And so he answers with a clear and beautiful confession of faith: ‘Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!’ (Jn 1: 49). These words reveal a first important step in the journey of attachment to Jesus.”[3]
In Jesus’ praise of Nathanael, we discover the joy that a simple and sincere person awakens in Christ’s heart. It is something we too appreciate, when people present themselves to us as they truly are, without masks or ulterior motives. Simplicity and sincerity are two intimately linked virtues that help us to be consistent and authentic persons who show themselves as they are in word and deed, with clarity and truth. “My children,” Saint Josemaría wrote, “meditate on Saint Paul’s clear, wonderful words: ‘Our boast is this, the testimony of our conscience, that we have behaved in the world with simplicity and godly sincerity . . . by the grace of God’ (2 Cor 1:12). This is the Work’s glory. And this is how we must each strive to live in every situation and personal circumstance. The simplicity and sincere naturalness of our spirit will shine brightly in the world before men, if you strive for childlike simplicity and sincerity in your conversation with God, and if you continually try to ensure that your thoughts, words and deeds are in accord with the Truth.”[4]
THE ROOT of the simplicity that marked Saint Bartholomew’s life lies in his humility, a virtue that enables us to recognize in God’s presence who we truly are and the state of our soul. This self-knowledge leads us to place ourselves completely in God’s hands, to trust in Him more than in ourselves, and to wholeheartedly embrace God’s plans for our lives. To acquire this humility, and with it, great interior simplicity and lack of complications, Saint Josemaría advised that we become like children in our spiritual life: “Become children before God. Only in this way will we know how to be truly mature persons on earth, because through our simplicity God’s hand will work with his strength and security. Children before God, with complete trust, like a little child who trusts his mother; he doesn’t worry about tomorrow or anything else: his mother is watching over him. God watches over us if we are simple.”[5]
One characteristic of children is that they have no problem recognizing their weakness. When something has hurt or frightened them, they don’t hesitate to go immediately to their father or mother. That’s why Saint Josemaría encouraged us to imitate this attitude in the spiritual life. “You are discouraged, why? Is it your sins and miseries? Is it your defeats, at times coming one after the other? A really big fall, which you didn't expect? Be simple. Open your heart. Look: as yet nothing has been lost. You can still go forward, and with more love, with more affection, with more strength. Take refuge in your divine filiation: God is your most loving Father. In this lies your security, a haven where you can drop anchor no matter what is happening on the surface of the sea of life. And you will find joy, strength, optimism: victory!”[6] If we know how to become like children before God, our Lady will also protect us, taking us in her arms. We can ask Saint Bartholomew to help us to have the simplicity that won over Jesus’ heart.
[1] Francis, Audience, 7 June 2023.
[2] Benedict XVI, Audience, 4 October 2006.
[3] Ibid.
[4] Saint Josemaría, Letter 6, nos. 60-61.
[5] Saint Josemaría, Notes taken at a family gathering, 25 August 1968.
[6] Saint Josemaría, The Way of the Cross, VII station, no. 2.