Breaking the Word

GOSPEL  READING: John 1:43-51

In this passage the author is writing about the vocation of Philip and Nathanael. In the other gospels Nathanael is called Bartholomew, which means he is the son of Tholomew. His real name would have been Nathanael. The gospels speak about the calling of five disciples only. In the first three gospels the authors write about the calling of Peter, Andrew, James, John and Levi (Matthew) while here the author writes about the vocation of Andrew, John, Peter, Philip and Nathanael.  

These five had probably important roles to play in the ministry of the churches they were belonging to from which these gospels were written. The conversations between Philip and Nathanael, and Nathanael and Jesus reveal the expectation of the people regarding the messiah.

GOSPEL  READING:  John 1: 35-42

The calling of the apostles is presented in a different way in this Gospel when compared to the other three gospels. In the other gospels they were called while they were fishing or mending their nets near the sea of Galilee while here they are already the disciples of John the Baptist and it is he who is offering them an idea about following Jesus.

In John’s gospel the vocation has the following stages: 1) someone bears witness to Jesus, 2) listening or accepting the witness, 3) following the person whom one is searching 4) Jesus’ invitation to come and see and 5) remain with him. These stages are important in the vocation. All these stages add up to the experience of Jesus. Only when the experience is complete then there is a following.