Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and said of him, “Here is a true Israelite. There is no duplicity in him.” Nathanael said to him, “How do you know me?” Jesus answered and said to him, “Before Phillip called you, I saw you under the fig tree.” Nathanael answered him, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel.” Jesus answered and said to him, “Do you believe because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than this.” 

Director Stephen Spielberg's movie "Lincoln" concentrates on the last months of Abraham Lincoln's life. He had been elected for a second term to be president of the United States. He knew that he was dealing with the feelings of political, ambitious men who had been elected to the Congress. His country was involved in the worst war in United States history. He wanted with all of his heart to end it. Believing also with all of his heart that slavery was immoral, he knew that if the thirteenth amendment to the Constitution of the United States did not pass, black men and women would be forever enslaved. With understanding far beyond the simple education he had received, Abraham Lincoln was able to both bring about the end of the war and the abolishment of slavery. He was able to do it because of an innate intelligence that gave him insight into human nature. As a result he showed a true ability to listen and be kind to others while discerning what was the best solution for all. In short, Abraham Lincoln showed himself to be a man of integrity.   

The English word "integrity" comes from the Latin word integer meaning whole or complete. Translated into human form, a person of integrity is a person who consistently chooses honesty and the pursuit of truth. In terms of Jesus' description of his apostle Nathanael in John's Gospel, a person of integrity is a person with "no duplicity."

In Jesus' mind, perhaps a characteristic of his followers must be that they be people of integrity, people who are completely honest, people who know the truth and try to bring it about in every way. Nathanael would fulfill such a desire of Jesus; one can guess that the other Apostles also had the same capability.

The movie "Lincoln" portrays Abraham Lincoln to be a person of integrity. He may have lacked social polish, but he possessed a great intelligence and knowledge of human nature that allowed him to accomplish great things in his presidency. The movie shows him to be a man steeped in calm self-confidence, patience, and kindness. He possessed an ability to "play politics" in a setting in which "politics" had often meant something very close to the "duplicity" of which Jesus was aware.

Few men or women who have been involved in the political system remain untarnished by the sin of duplicity. In a system that depends on democratic choice, too often politicians pay more attention to their election than the principles they should choose. Most of us will not hold a political office, to be sure, but every one of us have the desire to be liked or appreciated by others in some way. In following through with such a desire, sometimes we can loose our "integrity," and go the easy way of pleasing another, and not standing for our beliefs.

The Lord Jesus saw an apostle who was without "duplicity," a man of integrity, giving him to us as an example. His name was Nathanael. His example, if followed, will lead us to eternal life. The United States has within its history a man of like character, a man of truth, of honesty, of integrity. His name is Abraham Lincoln. His example, if followed, might just save the world in which we live.

PRAYER

Good and gracious God, your Son chose a person of integrity to be an apostle, and teaches us likewise to be people of integrity. Give us the grace to truly understand the honesty, kindness and love required to be your follower. Be with us, we pray.

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©2007 Capuchin Province of Mid-America
Fr. Mike Scully is a member of the Capuchin Province of Mid-America