Aug. 24th - St. Bartholomew (Nathanial)

 One of the apostles, whose name is inscribed on the foundation of the Church, is St. Bartholomew, whose feast we celebrate today.

His call as an apostle, came through the intercession of his friend, St. Philip. When Philip finds Bartholomew he said, “We have found the one about whom Moses wrote in the law, and also the prophets.” Even though Bartholomew said, “Can any good come from Nazareth?” Philip said, ‘come and see’.

When he finally found Jesus, Our Lord looked at him and said, “Here is a true child of Israel. There is no duplicity in him.” Jesus highlighted Bartholomew’s guiless virtue. He was not duplicit. In other words, he was frank and honest and his motives were pure. He was truthful. He was not deceitful. Bartholomew wondered how Jesus had known him, after all, he did not recall speaking with Him before. Realizing Our Divine Lord could read his heart, he makes a remarkable act of faith, he said, “..you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel”.

St. Bartholomew lived in the city of Cana. He preached in India and Armenia. While in Armenia, in the city of Albanopolis, it is believed he suffered martyrdom by being flayed alive, and then beheaded by the order of the king of Armenia.

He is often pictured in art with flayed skin and a knife in his hand. In the Gospels, he is known by two names (Nathaniel and Bartholomew).

Today, let us imitate St. Bartholomew’s truthfulness and strive to life a life without guile, so that at the end of our life, when we stand at the gates of heaven, Jesus will say to us, Here is a true child of Israel. There is no duplicity in him.”, come enter into my kingdom.