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24th August 2022 

Feast of St. Bartholomew, Apostle

READ: Rev 21:9-14; Jn 1: 45-51;

REFLECT: Be an apostle of Christ in word and deed

Dear friends, today we celebrate the feast of St. Bartholomew, the apostle. The mention of St. Bartholomew as one of the twelve apostles is mentioned in the Gospels (Matt 10:3; Mk 3:18; Lk 6:14) and in the Acts of the Apostles (Acts 1:13). St. Bartholomew is associated with St. Philip. He was introduced to Jesus Christ by St. Philip and in the Gospel of John we do not have the name Bartholomew instead we have the name Nathaniel mentioned in Bartholomew’s place. So it is considered till today that Bartholomew and Nathaniel are the same person.

The Church Historian Eusebius, the bishop of Caesarea who was a 4th C pioneer gives a chronological account of the development of Early Christianity from the 1st century to the 4th century makes a mention about St. Bartholomew that St. Bartholomew went on a missionary tour to India and left a Hebrew copy of the Gospel of Matthew. There is a tradition which says that Bartholomew evangelized as a missionary in Ethiopia, Egypt, Persia, Armenia, and Mesopotamia. It is also said that St. Bartholomew after the Ascension of Jesus, the saint traveled to the east, and then Armenia. According to traditional hagiography, he was condemned and beheaded for converting the king to Christianity. St. Bartholomew is the patron saint of tanners, tailors, plasterers, and leather workers.

The readings of the day invite each one to seal ourselves the mark of St. Bartholomew to be a true apostle of Christ. The first reading from the book of revelation speaks of the specific place where Jesus is in the centre reigning over our hearts. There is a mention of the twelve apostles of the Lamb referring to the twelve apostles chosen by Christ as partakers of such a heavenly realm. It is the New Jerusalem, the city of God. Yes the apostles are the foundations for us to have faith in Jesus. So in what way can we apostles and apostolic in today’s world is what we are called to reflect. So based on the liturgy of the word, I would like to share with you three points of reflection.

1.     Simple and sincere person:

The words uttered by Jesus about Nathaniel, the way Nathaniel presents himself and in the manner that he responds to the call of Philip show Nathaniel as simple and sincere person. Jesus says, “Here is an Israelite, in whom there is no deceit.” These words prove that Jesus is in praise and appreciation for what Nathaniel is. There is no duplicity in him would mean that he had an undivided heart with intentions so pure and true. The words of Nathaniel himself are a proof and he utters it genuinely from the experience of others what has been said about Nazareth.

That’s why he says, “What good can come out of Nazareth?” This question may be from the prejudices or since Nathaniel is from Galilee, he might have heard others speak about Nazareth and the Messiah being born there. However it may be, what he heard or what he felt, Nathaniel just shared it. Even for that matter, his immediate move after he was called by Philip shows simplicity of Nathaniel. In life what matter is simplicity and sincerity but we do not find many to such path of life. Because, many strive to be smarter or give up being simple and sincere because of the circumstances or no one values such qualities. Today let us pray to be simple and sincere like Nathaniel and present ourselves as we are to others.

2.     His readiness to respond

Readiness to respond someone’s invitation is a courtesy and reflects one’s good will. It shows person’s respect for another, spontaneous act and humility. As soon as Philip called Nathaniel, he immediately responded to the calling to see Jesus and meet Jesus. Readiness to respond and all the more readiness to see and meet Jesus itself is a first sign to see the reality. Today there are many among us who don’t even respond to people when asked for something, who sent us message or who call us over the phone. It only shows how much we value or respect others. It is a timely reminder to respond to things that will make us and others change for better.

Because, he readily responded Jesus, Nathaniel had a chance to meet Jesus and learn the truth who Jesus is. So let us not refuse or despond the invitation for good and goodness. Let us venture into the reality, find what’s true and accept it to change one’s mind or ways instead of blame-game or prejudices about others. Instead of making hypothetical statements that are uncertain about others, let us find the truth and the reality to see the genuine results. Let us be ready and prompt in responding to respect people. Readiness to delve into good acts is the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. One such thing could be our readiness to reach out to people those in need or readiness to promote good to one another.   

3.     He Acknowledges Jesus:

Acknowledging others as they are is a gift that we give to the other and above all if we could find someone quite suitable for the words that we utter, it is a gift from above. Nathaniel had such a gift of wisdom and knowledge to utter the words that fit Jesus so true and authentic. We hear from Nathaniel, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God and the King of Israel.” The one who said, “What good can come from Nazareth now realizes that God has done great thing in Nazareth and has sent his own Son to pitch his tent. His acknowledgement as Master, Son of God and King implies that Nathaniel accepts Jesus as the master, God and king of life who has authority over everyone and everything.

Today, most of our downfall is due to our unpreparedness to accept the other as they are or failing in our attempt to find who they are and what they are. Before we could get to know we judge and misjudge others. Before we make any judgment of any persons we need to experience them to have clarity of persons and their personality, which will enable us to see the good and great things in others. Like Nathaniel who identified and found Jesus as King and Son of God, let us also acknowledge Jesus as King and master of our lives and make earnest efforts to find the good and good things in each and every person and things on earth.

RESPOND:

Do I present myself as simple and sincere persons in life?

Do I respond to people negatively or positively?

Do I have at least the courtesy to respond to people when something is asked or wanted or called for? Do I acknowledge others as they are or force myself to be prejudiced by someone’s opinions and experiences?

Let us try to live the words of God in deeds of human living. Amen.

The Lord expects of you nothing else than that you share in His mission, and what he demanded of the Apostles when He sent them into the world: to give life in its fullness to all (Jn 10:10). (St. Francis De Sales, AE VI 89, Conference 6, SC II, p. 101).

Happy Feast of St. Bartholomew. God bless us all.

Live Jesus