Thursday, August 24, 2023

 

Feast of Saint Bartholomew, apostle

(Revelation 21:9b-14; John 1:45-51)

In the gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke, Bartholomew is paired with Philip, the apostle.  Because Nathaniel has that distinction in John’s gospel, he is considered the same as Bartholomew.  In today’s passage from John, Bartholomew/Nathaniel recognizes Jesus as Messiah.

His recognition approximates what Simon calls Jesus in this Sunday’s gospel.  In the famous passage from the Gospel of Matthew, Simon says Jesus is “the Christ (i.e., Messiah), the Son of the living God.”  Jesus in turns names Simon, “Peter,” which is to say the rock, the foundation of his Church.  Jesus gives a descriptive title to Bartholomew/Nathaniel as well.  He is a true Israelite without duplicity.

We should strive to be likewise.  We say that we are Christians; that is, followers of Jesus.  We should always act like him.  This means praying to God constantly and serving others diligently.  Doing so, we too will experience angels working marvelous deeds. 

Tuesday, August 24, 2021

 Feast of Saint Bartholomew, apostle

(Revelation 21:9b-14; John 1:45-51)

The twelve apostles are not known equally.  Some, if fact, are hardly known at all.  Today’s feast celebrates the apostle Bartholomew who is known chiefly because his identity is tied to Nathanael in today’s gospel.  In the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke “Bartholomew” is listed after Philip.  Because in John the story of Nathanael’s calling is treated directly after Philip’s, Nathanael and Bartholomew are presumed to be the same person.

In the story Nathanael makes a statement tantamount to Peter’s declaration of Jesus in Matthew’s Gospel.  He calls Jesus “the Son of God” and the “King of Israel.”  Jesus does not hail him as “the rock” upon which Jesus will build his church.  But in saying these things, Nathanael fulfills Jesus’ prophecy that he is “a true child of Israel.”  In ancient times “Israel” was said to mean, one “seeing God.”  Jesus predicts that Nathanael will have even greater reason for saying Jesus is the “Son of God” when he sees angels “ascending and descending” on him.  He is referring to the signs that he will work and Nathanael will witness.

The apostles were privileged witnesses to Jesus.  They saw him work miracles and saw him risen from the dead.  Sounds wonderful, but it must be remembered that they suffered for telling others about what they saw.  It is commonly believed that all except John underwent martyrdom.  Because of their testimony, we can say also that Jesus is the “Son of God” whose teachings we are to follow and whose sacrificial love we are to emulate.

Frdiay, August 24, 2018

Feast of St. Bartholomew, apostle

(Revelation 21:9b-14; John 1:45-51)

As with most of the twelve disciples whom we recognize as apostles, we know little about Bartholomew.  Since in the gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke, he is paired with Philip, Biblical scholars hold that he is the same as Nathanael whom the Gospel of John associates with Philip.  Nathanael, as today’s gospel relates, proclaims the identity of Jesus as the long-awaited Messiah.  With this statement the evangelist John presents Nathaniel-Bartholomew like Luke introduces the sage Simeon at the presentation of Jesus in the Temple.  Both are portrayed as prophets announcing the redemption of Israel. 

Even though Bartholomew’s biography remains largely obscure, any one of us would trade places with him.  After all, he saw and even touched salvation in person!  That is, he followed Jesus first-hand, heard his voice, felt the warmth of his hand.  It is taken for granted that the apostles suffered martyrdom.  They could do so willingly, however, because they knew that Jesus to whom they testified would give them eternal life.

We cannot know Jesus as the twelve apostles did, but nevertheless he allows us access to himself.  His words remain in the gospel, his flesh and blood are ingested in the Eucharist, and his Spirit is felt in the love Christians demonstrate.  In faith we know that Jesus is present to us.  Drawing strength from him, we like the apostles may give witness to him by dying to ourselves in service to others.

Thursday, August 24, 2017

Feast of Saint Bartholomew, apostle

(Revelation 21:9b-14; John 1:45-51)

One of our parish priests used to visit our classrooms shortly before the end of the school year.  He wanted us students to become a “Friend of Christ" by attending the 8:30 mass on Thursday mornings.  It was a small way to initiate a more personal relationship with Jesus. The effort is hardly one-sided.  The Gospel of John shows Jesus initiating personal relationships in almost every chapter.

In today’s reading Jesus recognizes Nathanael, whom we believe to be the same Bartholomew because of his association with Philip.  Jesus tells Nathanael that he saw him “under the fig tree.”  It is not known what Nathanael was doing “under the fig tree,” but the remark does touch Nathanael’s heart.  He immediately responds with the Messianic claim that Jesus is “the Son of God…the King of Israel.”  How could Nathanael not follow Jesus now?

We might imagine Jesus saying to us, “Mary, I saw you shopping at Kohl’s,” or “Richard, I noticed you in the office today.”  He is not spying on us, but calling us to join his band of disciples.  It is a community of love which should give all participants never ending joy.

Wednesday, August 24, 2016

Feast of Saint Bartholomew, apostle

(Revelation 21:9b-14; John 1:45-51)

How is it that on the Feast of St. Bartholomew, apostle, we hear a gospel story about Nathanael?  It is not an oversight.  On the lists of apostles in the gospels according to Matthew, Mark, and Luke, the name Bartholomew always appears paired with Philip.  In John’s gospel, which makes no mention of a Bartholomew, Nathanael appears as a friend of Philip.  The Church, therefore, has assumed that Nathanael and Bartholomew are the same person.  Also, Bartholomew may be a surname since bar in Hebrew means son of.  Perhaps then the celebration today is more properly the Feast of St. Nathanael Bartholomew!

As interesting as the apostle’s name may be, we commemorate him today for something more.  In today’s gospel he proclaims Jesus “the Son of God (and) King of Israel.”  At the end of John’s gospel Thomas calls Jesus “my Lord and my God.”  But he will have the advantage of seeing him after the resurrection.  Nathanael’s insight into Jesus’ identity comes from his being, as Jesus says, “a true child of Israel.” This means that he has faithfully waited for the Lord to send his servant for the redemption of His people.  Now the Messiah is here, as Nathanael says, the Son and King.

As St. Nathaniel Bartholomew and all true Israelites waited for the Messiah’s coming, we and all true Christians wait for his return.  We yearn for him to tell us secrets about ourselves as he does about Nathanael in the gospel today.  After two millennia we would feel frustrated if there were no evidence that he is close at hand.  But such testimony is available. Jesus is present to us in word and sacrament.  Attentive to these, we discover who we are and where we are destined. 

Monday, August 24, 2015

Feast of Saint Bartholomew, apostle

(Revelation 21:9b-14; John 1:45-51)

Recent popes have encouraged Catholics to have a personal relationship with Jesus.  No doubt, some are suspicious that developing a personal relationship with the Lord sounds like a very Protestant exercise.  However, the Gospel of John shows Jesus initiating personal relationships in almost every chapter.

In today’s reading Jesus recognizes Nathanael, whom we believe to be the same Bartholomew because of his association with Philip.  Jesus tells Nathanael that he saw him “under the fig tree.”  It is not known what Nathanael was doing “under the fig tree,” but the remark does touch Nathanael’s heart.  He immediately responds with the Messianic claim that Jesus is “the Son of God…the King of Israel.”  How could Nathanael not follow Jesus now?

We might imagine Jesus saying to us, “Mary, I saw you shopping at Kohl’s,” or “Richard, I noticed you in the office today.”  He is not spying on us, but calling us to join his band of disciples.  It is a community of love in which we will know his peace.

Friday, August 24, 2012

Feast of St. Bartholomew, apostle

(Revelation 21:9b-14; John 1:45-51)

As with most of the twelve disciples whom we recognize as apostles, we know little about Bartholomew. Since in the gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke, he is paired with Philip, some Biblical experts hold that he is the same as Nathanael whom the Gospel of John also associates with Philip. Nathanael, as the gospel today relates, proclaims the identity of Jesus much like Simeon at the presentation of Jesus in the Temple: the long-awaited Messiah who will accomplish the redemption of Israel.

Even though Bartholomew’s biography remains largely obscure, any one of us would trade places with him. After all, he saw and even touched salvation in person! That is, he followed Jesus first-hand, heard his voice, felt the warmth of his hand. It is taken for granted that the apostles suffered martyrdom. They could do so gladly, however, because they knew well that the one to whom they testified was worth their lives.

We cannot know Jesus as the twelve apostles did, but nevertheless he allows us access to himself. His words remain in the gospel, his flesh and blood are ingested in the Eucharist, and his Spirit is felt in the love Christians demonstrate. In faith we know that Jesus is present to us, and drawing strength from him, we like the apostles may give witness to him by dying to ourselves in service to others.

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Feast of Saint Bartholomew, apostle

(Revelation 21:9b-14; John 1:45-51)

How can it be that on the Feast of St. Bartholomew, apostle, we hear a gospel story about Nathanael? But it is not an oversight. On the lists of apostles in the gospels according to Matthew, Mark, and Luke, the name Bartholomew always appears paired with Philip. In John’s gospel, which makes no mention of Bartholomew, there is a story about Nathanael who is a friend of Philip. It is likely, therefore, that Nathanael and Bartholomew are the same person. Also, Bartholomew appears to be a surname since bar in Hebrew means son of. This fact makes some conclude that the celebration today is more properly the “Feast of St. Nathanael Bartholomew”!

As interesting as the apostle’s name may be, we commemorate him today for something more. He proclaims Jesus “the Son of God and King of Israel.” At the end of John’s gospel Thomas calls Jesus “my Lord and my God.” But he will have the advantage of seeing him after the resurrection. Nathanael’s insight into Jesus’ identity comes from his being, as Jesus says, “a true child of Israel.” This means that he has faithfully waited for the Lord to send his servant for the redemption of His people.

As St. Nathaniel Bartholomew and all true Israelites waited for the coming of the Messiah, so we and all true Christians wait for him to return. After two millennia we would feel frustrated if there were no evidence that he is close at hand. But such testimony is available. Jesus is present to us in the Eucharist from which we draw spiritual nourishment and moral guidance. Nevertheless, we yearn for him to reappear in human form so that he might tell us secrets about ourselves as he does about Nathanael in the gospel today.

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

The Feast of St. Bartholomew, apostle

(Revelation 21:9b-14; John 1:45-51)

As with most of the twelve disciples whom we recognize as apostles, we know little about Bartholomew. Since in the gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke, he is paired with Philip, some Biblical experts hold that he is the same as Nathanael whom the Gospel of John also associates with Philip. Nathanael, as the gospel today relates, proclaims the identity of Jesus much like Simeon at the presentation of Jesus in the Temple: the long-awaited Messiah who will accomplish the redemption of Israel.

Even though Bartholomew’s biography remains largely obscure, any one of us would trade places with him. After all, he saw and even touched salvation in person! That is, he followed Jesus first-hand, heard his voice, felt the warmth of his hand. It is taken for granted that the apostles suffered martyrdom. They could do so gladly, however, because they knew well that the one to whom they testified was worth their lives.

We cannot know Jesus as the twelve apostles did, but nevertheless he allows us access to himself. His words remain in the gospel, his flesh and blood are ingested in the Eucharist, and his Spirit is felt in the love Christians demonstrate. In faith we know that Jesus is present to us, and drawing strength from him, we like the apostles may give witness to him by dying to ourselves in service to others.

Homilette for Monday, August 24, 2009

Feat of St. Bartholomew, Apostle

(Revelation 21:9b-14; John 1:45-51)

On the Feast of St. Bartholomew, Apostle, we hear a gospel story about Nathanael! It is not an oversight. On the lists of apostles in Matthew, Mark, and Luke, the name Nathanael is absent but the name Bartholomew appears. This Bartholomew is always paired on these lists with the apostle Philip. In John’s gospel there is no mention of Bartholomew, but there is the story of Nathanael, a friend of Philip. It is logical then to assume that Nathanael and Bartholomew is the same person. Also, Bartholomew appears to be a surname since “bar” in Hebrew means “son of” which makes some conclude that the celebration today is more properly “the Feast of Nathanael Bartholomew.”

As interesting as the apostle’s name may be, we commemorate him today for something more. He proclaims Jesus “the Son of God and King of Israel.” At the end of John’s gospel Thomas calls Jesus “my Lord and my God.” But he will have the advantage of seeing him after the resurrection. Nathanael’s insight comes from his being, as Jesus says, “a true child of Israel,” that is one who has faithfully waited for the Lord.

As Nathanael Bartholomew and all true Israelites waited for the coming of the Messiah, so we and all true Christians wait for him to return. After two millennia we might feel frustrated if there were not evidence that he is close at hand. Most significantly, Jesus is present to us in the Eucharist from which we receive spiritual nourishment and moral guidance. We still want him to reappear in human form to tell us plainly secrets about ourselves as he does Nathanael in the gospel.