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 would suffer  innocently  and  patiently  as  foretold  by  Isaias  (chapter  LIII); and that  in  the  sacrifice  of  Christ  all  other  sacrifices  find  their  fulfilment. Hence the  Church  has  put  these  beautiful  words  in  her  Liturgy  (Daily Mass,  Holy  Communion,  Litanies).

2. John  testifies  to  our  Lord’s  Pre-existence  or  Eternity, saying  that though born  after  him  He  was  before  him.

3. Finally,  the  holy  Baptist  plainly  testifies  to  Christ’s  Divinity: “I (because  I heard  the  voice  which  spoke  from  heaven,  when  Jesus was  baptized),  I give  testimony  that  this  is  the  Son  of  God!”

Jesus Himself  made  manifest  His  Divine  Nature: 1. by knowing and revealing  hidden  and  distant  things. He knew  and  penetrated  the hearts of  Simon  and  Nathanael,  and  knew  that  Nathanael  had  been called by  Philip,  and  that,  before  then,  he  had  been  under  a fig-tree; 2. by  allowing  Nathanael’s  confession  of  faith:  'Thou  art  the  Son  of God',  to  pass  without  protest,  and  by  confirming  it  with  the  promise that still  greater  wonders  should  justify  this  faith.

The foundation  of  the  Church. By  the  calling  of  His  disciples, Jesus laid  the  foundation  of  His  Church  simultaneously  with  His  first appearance in  public. These disciples,  at  first,  only  remained  for  a short  time  with  Jesus. Later on,  He  chose  twelve  to  be  His  constant followers and  disciples.

The rock  on  which  the  Church  is  built.  God  changes  the  names of those  only  whom  He  calls  to  accomplish  great  works. For example, He changed  Jacob’s  name  into  Israel,  which  was  to  be  the  name  of the  whole  people  descended  from  him,  and  which  indicated  his  calling. By the  change  of  Simon’s  name  to  Peter,  our  Lord  gave  it  to  be understood  that  He  had  chosen  this  disciple  to  be  the  foundation-rock of His  Church.

Humility. St.  John  the  Baptist  did  not  seek  his  own  glory,  but  the glory of  Jesus  Christ,  whose  precursor  God  had  called  him  to  be. Without any  thought  of  himself,  he  sent  his  disciples  to  our  Lord. Even as  the  morning-star  pales  and  disappears  before  the  light  of  the rising sun,  even  so  was  it  John’s  desire  to  be  extinguished  when Jesus came.

Zeal for  souls.  Andrew  and  Philip  were  full  of  joy  at  having  found the Messias  and  become  His  disciples. They showed  their  thankfulness for the  great  grace  they  had  received,  by  their  endeavours  to  impart it to  their  friends  and  relatives. All who  love  Jesus  have  a zealous desire to  make  their  friends  love  Him  also.

Sincerity also  is  a great  virtue  and  specially  praised  by  our  Lord in the  case  of  Nathanael. We may  justly  assume  that  by  his  sincerity of heart  Nathanael  obtained  the  grace  of  faith  and  of  being  called  to be  a disciple  and  companion  of  Christ.