Readings: Rev 21:9-14; Jn 1:45-51
Today we celebrate the Feast of Saint Bartholomew, an apostle of Jesus who spent his life in spreading the truth and joy of the gospel. It is believed that collaborating with the other apostles of Jesus he established several Christian communities in various places.
In the book of Revelation, apostle John describes a vision of the New Jerusalem descending from heaven, adorned like a bride for her husband. The city’s splendour is awe-inspiring, and the foundation stones bear the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. This imagery emphasizes the crucial role played by the apostles in spreading the Gospel and establishing the Church.
In the Gospel, we see Nathanael’s encounter with Jesus. Philip, a follower of Jesus, enthusiastically brings Nathanael to meet the long-awaited Messiah.
However, Nathanael doubts Jesus’ identity, asking if anything good could come from Nazareth. Yet, when Jesus sees Nathanael approaching, he greets him with the knowledge of his inner thoughts, leaving Nathanael astonished and acknowledging Jesus as the Son of God and King of Israel. It is believed that this Nathanael is the St. Bartholomew we honour today.
Today, we are called to follow in the footsteps of Saint Bartholomew, embracing discipleship with unwavering commitment. We are encouraged to have genuine encounters with Christ, allowing his revelation to transform our lives and strengthen our faith. By doing so, we become living witnesses of God’s love and truth to the world, fulfilling our role as disciples and spreading the message of redemption and hope.