+ St. Bartholomew, whose feast we celebrate was either the Nathanael of the gospel passage or he wasn't; which means that either we know at least something about him; or else we know nothing at all - other than the fact that he truly was one of the Apostles of the Lord – as his name is always listed among the twelve close friends of Jesus.
If he is Nathanael then he was a close friend of St. Philip who was originally a disciple of St. John the Baptist, but later became an Apostle of the Lord at Jesus' invitation. And Nathanael is always mentioned in connection with Philip. It was Philip who brought Nathanael / Bartholomew to Jesus as we read in the gospel passage today. Jesus was impressed with Philip's find and remarked on his humility and innocence. Jesus told him that he would see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man (indicating the vision he would see when he suffered a martyr's death for him).
Bartholomew may have written a gospel, but it became lost; it is mentioned in other writings of the time. He may have preached in Asia Mino, Ethiopia, India and Armenia, leaving behind assorted writings and local tradition says it was Bartholomew.
In any event we celebrate the feast today of one of Jesus' best friends – handpicked to be the spiritual foundation of the Church of which we are members today. We too are called to be friends of Jesus, friends of one another in Christian community, and friends with all in the world who need our witness, our prayers and our gospel of hope, especially in the difficult times in which we live. May we spend the day giving ourselves for God!
Your friends make know, O Lord, the glorious splendor of your Kingdom!
No comments:
Post a Comment