Revelations 21:9-14; Psalm 145; John 1:45-51
Today is the feast of St. Bartholomew, also known as Nathanael, one of the Twelve Apostles (John 1:45–49; 21:2). Bartholomew is a Hebrew surname meaning “son of Tolmai. Nathanael is the son of Tolmai. “Can anything good come from Nazareth?” (John 1:46) is one of his well-known quotes. He thought Nazareth was unlikely to be the location where the Messiah would be born.
Nevertheless, Jesus gives an insight into the character of Bartholomew when he says, “Here is a true Israelite, in whom there is nothing false.” Jesus knew Bartholomew’s heart, just as he knows the heart of every man. Jesus’ assessment of Bartholomew was that he was a “true” son of Abraham, that is, a man who worshiped the true and living God without an iota of deceit or hypocrisy that characterized his time. Can this be said of us today?
After Pentecost, Bartholomew spread the gospel to Greater Armenia, Asia Minor, and Western India. In the latter nation, he was detained and given a death sentence while preaching to idolaters. He is the patron saint of bookbinders, butchers, cobblers, nervous diseases, neurological diseases, Italy and Armenia.
St. Bartholomew, pray for us.
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
Fr. Daniel Evbotokhai
