Readings: Apocalypse 21:9-14, Ps. 145:10-13a,17-18, John 1:45-51
“Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and said of him, ‘Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!’” (John 1:47)
Today, we celebrate the feast of St. Bartholomew, otherwise known as Nathanael. He was born at Cana and brought by the Apostle Philip to meet Jesus. Bartholomew did not hide his deep-seated convictions regarding Nazareth as a whole.
“Can anything good come out of that town?” Without mincing words, this statement must have been very discouraging. When I talk about Jesus to others, I should not expect them to accept what I say: hook, line, and sinker. I would be a dreamer to assume they would immediately say, “Yes, yes, yes, I believe.”
When you tell people about something new, their first reaction is usually negative. They are negative because it is natural to suspect something you don’t know anything about. They are also negative because of the lies you must have probably told them in the past. They are negative, too, because of how you present it or perhaps because you don’t have much passion.
Philip wasn’t discouraged by Bartholomew’s reaction. He didn’t write him off. Instead, he said: “Come and see.” When Bartholomew eventually became an Apostle himself, he must have remembered this experience many times and used the same strategy in spreading the Good News.
Bartholomew was touched that Jesus saw him under the fig tree. He was immediately convinced that only the Son of God could have known he was under a fig tree. What was he doing under the fig tree? Could it be that Jesus was saying: “Young man, I know your secret, oh.” Anyway, we would not be celebrating him today if he did not stick to Jesus and remain with him to death.
The way and manner in which we become converted vary. Some people’s conversions were rather dramatic; some not so. The “how” is not so important. What matters is that at some point in our lives, we become true Christians, true followers of Jesus, and fully convinced about Jesus. And one way we know we are converted is when we stop being shy about spreading the Good News.
According to the Roman Martyrology, he travelled extensively to spread Christianity, reaching regions such as India and Greater Armenia. His dedication to sharing the Gospel ultimately led to his martyrdom; he was brutally flayed and beheaded on the orders of King Astyages. Tradition states that he was executed in Abanopolis near the Caspian Sea. His missionary efforts also extended to Mesopotamia, Persia, and Egypt.
The Roman Martyrology records him as martyred in Armenia, skinned alive according to Persian custom. Because his relics were enshrined on the island of the Tiber, which is principally used as a hospital, he has become a patron saint of the sick. St. Bartholomew is honoured for his unwavering faith and the significant sacrifice he made for Christianity.
Let us pray: Strengthen in us, O Lord, the faith, by which the blessed Apostle Bartholomew clung wholeheartedly to your Son, and grant that through the help of his prayers your Church may become for all the nations the sacrament of salvation. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen
Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. May God’s abundant blessings be upon us all. (Saint Bartholomew, Apostle – Feast. Liturgical Colour: Red. Bible Study: Apocalypse 21:9-14, Ps. 145:10-13a,17-18, John 1:45-51)
@Rev. Fr. Evaristus E. Abu