In St John’s Gospel, the Gospel chosen for today, it is St Philip that introduces St Bartholomew/ Nathanael to Jesus. When St Philip says that we have found the Messiah, St Bartholomew asks “where is he from”? When St Philip replies from Nazareth, St Bartholomew seems utterly unimpressed as he responds “can anything good come from that place?”
However, St Philip invites St Bartholomew to come and have a look and see for yourself, which he readily does. When Jesus sees St Bartholomew, he pays him a compliment, “There is an Israelite, who deserves the name, incapable of deceit”. Jesus recognises that he has no duplicity in him, that he has an honesty and integrity.
St Bartholomew is intrigued as to how Jesus knows him since this is their first encounter and Jesus replies “I saw you under the fig tree”. This becomes for St Bartholomew the catalyst for following Jesus and to make the statement that Jesus is the Son of God and the King of Israel. Jesus retorts, that he has not seen anything yet in comparison to the many greater things to come, as he will witness the Resurrection and Ascension and the angels of God ascending and descending.
This Gospel passage reminds us all of the importance to bring others to know, love and serve God. We are also called to introduce or re-introduce and encourage others to come to God, the church and the sacraments. St Bartholomew also shows us the importance of stepping out in faith and trust and when we do so, we too will experience the awe, the miracles, signs and wonders of the Lord.
From the Declaration on Religious Freedom
“Like Christ himself, the apostles were unceasingly bent upon bearing witness to the truth of God. They showed special courage in speaking the word of God with boldness, before the people and their rulers. With a firm faith they held that the Gospel is indeed the power of God unto salvation for all who believe. They followed the example of the gentleness and respectfulness of Christ”.
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