Feast of St. Bartholomew, Apostle

“You will see greater things than this.” – John 1:50

       During special occasions, Aurea racks her brain for gimmicks and surprises. But due to time constraints or financial lack, she ends up just giving simple gifts. The same happens for her birthday every August 24 — she thinks up of something special, not for herself but for others.

       She offers Mass for a seriously sick friend, prays for hours at the Adoration Chapel and bargains with God for the deepest intentions of friends and family, chats with street kids then treats them to Jollibee, buys food for the drivers of public vehicles.... The list goes on.

         One year, she planned to celebrate her special day at an orphanage in Pasig. She wanted to order food for the kids, bring little knick-knacks and spend time with them. But her money was just enough for her fare. Still, she went. She played, sang and danced with the children, appreciated their drawings, enjoyed having the little ones sit on her lap and chatted with the older girls.

        Even if she had nothing monetary to give, she had a great time on her birthday. God allowed her to play with His angels and see greater things. Sol Saura (sol_saura@yahoo.com)

Lord, thank You for answering our simple prayers. And we believe that we could also present bold prayers because You are our big, amazing, answering God.

Bartholomew was one of the Apostles of Jesus and early evangelists of the Church. We do not know much about him but we honor him as a man who gave his life in the service of the Kingdom. Without such servants, the Church would never have grown. We honor only the few we know who gave their lives in ministry but we should not forget the countless unknown servants as well.

Revelation 21:9-14

9 The angel spoke to me, saying, “Come here. I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb.” 10 He took me in spirit to a great, high mountain and showed me the holy city Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God. 11 It gleamed with the splendor of God. Its radiance was like that of a precious stone, like jasper, clear as crystal. 12 It had a massive, high wall, with twelve gates where twelve angels were stationed and on which names were inscribed, the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel. 13 There were three gates facing east, three north, three south, and three west. 14 The wall of the city had twelve courses of stones as its foundation, on which were inscribed the twelve names of the twelve Apostles of the Lamb.

Psalm 145:10-11, 12-13, 17-18

R: Your friends make known, O Lord, the glorious splendor of your Kingdom.

10 Let all your works give you thanks, O Lord, and let your faithful ones bless you. 11 Let them discourse of the glory of your Kingdom and speak of your might. (R) 12 Making known to men your might and the glorious splendor of your Kingdom. 13 Your Kingdom is a Kingdom for all ages, and your dominion endures through all generations. (R) 17 The Lord is just in all his ways and holy in all his works. 18 The Lord is near to all who call upon him, to all who call upon him in truth. (R)

Following God involves wrestling with His will and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. This can be done with an obedient heart or in rebellion. When we wrestle with God, we do so in submission to His will. We will simply follow what He is asking us to do.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel.

John 1:45-51

45 Philip found Nathanael and told him, “We have found the one about whom Moses wrote in the law, and also the prophets, Jesus, son of Joseph, from Nazareth.” 46 But Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come from Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.” 47 Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and said of him, “Here is a true child of Israel. There is no duplicity in him.” 48 Nathanael said to him, “How do you know me?” Jesus answered and said to him, “Before Philip called you, I saw you under the fig tree.” 49 Nathanael answered him, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel.” 50 Jesus answered and said to him, “Do you believe because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than this.” 51 And he said to him, “Amen, amen, I say to you, you will see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.”

think: When we wrestle with God, we do so in submission to His will.

Thank You Lord for: __________________

READ THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR  Isaiah 33-36

LESSONS BY YOUNG NATHANAEL

Doesn’t it seem strange why we read a Gospel story about young Nathanael on the feast of the Apostle St. Bartholomew? Actually, Bartholomew is not a first name. “Bar” means “son of” and “Tolmai” is the father’s name. Who then is the “son of Tolmai?” Many serious biblical scholars researched the problem and came to the conclusion that the Apostle Bartholomew’s first name is Nathanael. Young Nathanael was an interesting youth who Jesus recognized as a good future disciple. He was critical and did not immediately believe what others said. That’s a good attitude. Media today bombards us with so many stories about our Church and our faith that it would be good to be “Nathanaels” — people who check first whether a news or a statement is true or not. I read on the Internet, for example, that Pope Francis abolishes communion in the hand. It turns out that this comes from ultraconservative circles in the Church, but not from the Vatican.

       Once Nathanael was convinced that Jesus was really the Messiah, he made a spontaneous and enthusiastic profession of faith that kept him close to Jesus until he gave his life for Christ as a martyr.

       We profess our faith during Mass every Sunday. But how often do we just recite the Creed without thinking what we are saying? How often does our faith waver?

       How could Nathanael be so mature when it comes to spiritual matters — critical and then convinced? There is a hint in the Gospel. Jesus told him that he saw Nathanael “under the fig tree.” This was a Jewish expression for “praying and meditating.” This young man spent his time conversing with God and so was prepared for a mature response to His call. If only we would spend more time in quiet prayer rather than in front of the TV — maybe our response to God’s plans will be more positive! Young Nathanael teaches us a lot about our spiritual life. Fr. Rudy Horst, SVD

REFLECTION QUESTION: What does Nathanael teach you about your spiritual life?

Lord, make me more critical when I hear things about You and the Church, and give me the grace to spend more time with You in prayer and meditation. Amen.