Classically, it is given that there are three influences a person can have, which oppose the goodness of God; i.e.;

• Satan
• world
• self

Humanity is actually a slave of habit and knowledge. It’s life revolves around what it knows and habits. This we can call circles of death. Humanity does not risk to trust nor has hope because it looks to secure self before trusting anyone else. And humanity goes round and round in these vicious circle that do not improve it, though there may be progress on many other fronts like economy, health, technology etc. But there is only regression in its mentality, because it is selfish and insecure. These circles of death is what the First Reading is referring to as our evil influence.

We may move but from one circle to another, but even that is usually a Circle of Death.

There is only one circle that can give humanity hope and that is the Circle of Love/Hope/Life. And it is embedded in the person of Jesus. It is he who redeems us and gives us freedom, and an health space to be ourselves. When we are in this circle of Jesus, what we live is also life and love.

Those who are in circles of death, and looking at those in the circle of Life, cannot believe it, and will do anything in their power to first test, then persuade and finally force those in the circles of life away from Jesus. But the key to remain in the Circle of Love is to be in a relationship with Jesus, and continue to live a Good life in imitation of Jesus. Finally, even those in circles of death will believe and have a change of heart and enter into the grace of Eternal Love – Jesus.

Nathaniel (Gospel Reading), was an earnest seeker of God, but all he had got till this moment in the Gospel was disheartening. So much so when Philip, came and confessed to him that he had encounter the satisfaction of both their desires – the Messiah, he could not bring himself to believe this. We can say, he was border-lining into a circle of death. But the God himself walked into his life in the form of Jesus of Nazareth. What He told Nathaniel was

• Even before Philip came to call you
• You were always a seeker for the Truth
• And God cannot overlook that.

The same is true for us. If we desire and make the effort, go out of comfort zone to know God, He will come and make His home in you.