Daily Catholic Lectio
Saturday, 24 August 2024
Twentieth Week in Ordinary Time – Saturday
Saint Bartholomew, Apostle, Feast
Revelation 21:9-14. John 1:45-51
From scepticism to faith
The journey of every disciple is a journey from doubt or scepticism to faith. Today we celebrate the feast of Saint Bartholomew, an apostle of Jesus. John the Evangelist calls him ‘Nathanael’. ‘Bartholomew’ in Aramaic means ‘son (‘Bar’) of Tholomew.’ ‘Nathanael’ means ‘God’s gift’ or ‘God gave’.
Philip who sees Jesus goes and tells his friend, ‘We have seen Him.’ Nathanael is both sceptical and judgemental. However, he goes to encounter Jesus.
Nathanael moves from scepticism to faith:
1. Nathanael’s scepticism (1:45-46)
Nathanael is sceptical about the identity of Jesus. His question – can anything good come out of Nazareth? – also reveals his prejudice and judgemental mind.
2. Divine revelation: Jesus’ revelation (1:47-49)
Jesus knows us beyond our doubts. Jesus reveals that there is no guile in Nathanael.
3. Turning point: Nathanael’s profession (1:49)
Nathanael professes, ‘Rabbi, you are the son of God, the king of Israel.’ The Gospel of John in fact is a paraphrase of these two titles.
4. ‘You will see greater things than this’ (1:50-51)
By recalling to Nathanael’s mind, Jesus foretells that he would become the hyphen between God and human persons.
A sceptic turns out to be a martyr for faith. Anyone who encounters Jesus is bound to be transformed. Though Bartholomew was with Jesus for a few minutes the transformation that he underwent was great.
Whenever we are sceptical about Jesus, there echoes in our ears, the call, ‘come and see.’
Lessons from Saint Bartholomew:
(a) Seeking truth: Bartholomew’s initial doubt about Jesus’ origin did not close him off to the possibility of the truth. Instead, he allowed his encounter with Jesus to transform his perspective. This openness to truth, even when it challenges our preconceptions, is essential for every Christian. Like Bartholomew, we are called to seek the truth with an open heart, ready to be surprised by the ways God reveals Himself in our lives.
(b) Sincerity of heart: Jesus’ praise of Bartholomew as a man “in whom there is no deceit” highlights the importance of integrity in our spiritual lives. In a world often filled with deception and pretence, Bartholomew stands as a model of honesty and authenticity. We are reminded that God sees beyond our outward appearances and values the purity of our intentions.
(c) Witness through martyrdom: Tradition holds that Bartholomew preached the Gospel in various regions, ultimately facing martyrdom for his faith. His life reminds us that discipleship may involve sacrifices, even to the point of giving up our lives. The courage to witness to the truth, regardless of the cost, is a hallmark of true apostleship. The apostle who hesitated to believe in Jesus becomes a door of faith for the future generations (cf. first reading).
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The pilgrims of hope strive to live lives of honesty and integrity, allowing their words and actions to reflect the sincerity of our faith. (Jubilee 2025 AD, bite 181).
Fr. Yesu Karunanidhi
Archdiocese of Madurai
Missionary of Mercy
Yesu Karunanidhi 
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