Saint Bartholomew
Apostle, Feast day
Liturgical Cycle: A, B, C | Lectionary Cycle: I, II
Introduction
It is quite likely that Nathaniel of today’s gospel is the same person as the apostle Bartholomew. If so, he was an open and honest man, “in whom there was no deceit,” as Jesus said.
Opening Prayer
Lord our God,
would that it could be said of each of us:
” There goes an honest person
in whom there is no deceit,”
one who is worthy of the name Christian.
Make us into true disciples of Jesus
who live as we believe day after day,
and who cooperate in bringing people
to your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen!
First Reading
The New Jerusalem
Then, one of the seven angels approached me, one of those with the seven bowls filled with the last seven plagues. And he said, “Come, I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb.”
He took me up in a spiritual vision to a very high mountain, and he showed me the holy city, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God.
It gleamed with the glory of God, like a precious jewel, with the color of crystal-clear jasper.
Its wall, large and high, has twelve gates; at each gate are twelve angels. Written above the gates are the names of the twelve tribes of the sons of Israel.
Three gates face east, three face north, three face south, and three face west.
The city wall rested on twelve foundation stones, inscribed with the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.
Responsorial Psalm
R. (12) Your friends make known, O Lord, the glorious splendor of your Kingdom.
Let all your works give you thanks, O LORD,
and let your faithful ones bless you.
Let them discourse of the glory of your Kingdom
and speak of your might.
R. Your friends make known, O Lord, the glorious splendor of your Kingdom.
Making known to men your might
and the glorious splendor of your Kingdom.
Your Kingdom is a Kingdom for all ages,
and your dominion endures through all generations.
R. Your friends make known, O Lord, the glorious splendor of your Kingdom.
The LORD is just in all his ways
and holy in all his works.
The LORD is near to all who call upon him,
to all who call upon him in truth.
R. Your friends make known, O Lord, the glorious splendor of your Kingdom.
Alleluia Verse
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Rabbi, you are the Son of God;
you are the King of Israel.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel
Philip found Nathanael and said to him:
“We have found the one Moses wrote about in the law and the prophets: he is Jesus, son of Joseph, from Nazareth.”
Nathanael asked:
“Can anything good come from Nazareth?”
Philip responded:
“Come and see.”
When Jesus saw Nathanael approaching, he said of him:
“Here comes an Israelite, a true one; there is nothing false in him.”
Nathanael asked him:
“How do you know me?”
Jesus answered:
“Before Philip called you, you were under the fig tree, and I saw you.”
Nathanael responded:
“Master, you are the Son of God! You are the king of Israel!”
Jesus answered:
“You believe because I said, ‘I saw you under the fig tree.’ But you will see greater things than that.”
And he said to him:
“Truly, I say to you, you will see the heavens opened and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man.”
Prayers of the Faithful
– For faith in the Church and for confidence in the future, because we are certain that Christ is present among us, we pray:
– For the spirit of Christian love and of forgiveness for all people, for we are certain that all are invited in Christ to share in God’s unending happiness, we pray:
– For all who are baptised in Christ’s name, that they may follow their Saviour in his love and spirit of service, we pray:
Prayer over the Gifts
Lord our God,
you have called us together,
saints and sinners alike,
at the table of your Son.
Accept the willingness we offer you
to carry out in everyday life
the task you entrust to us.
Let your Son make us your new people
always open to the prompting of your love.
We ask this in the name of Jesus the Lord.
Prayer after Communion
Lord our God, loving Father,
in this eucharistic celebration
we have encountered your Son
as our Lord and Savior.
He has seen us and he loves us.
May we live as we believe,
that there be no deceit im us
but that we follow your Son
on the road of self-giving love,
For he is our Lord forever.
Blessing
What a great honour if the Lord can call us a true person, someone in whom there is no deceit! May Almighty God bless you all, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
REFLECTION
Saint Bartholomew, Apostle
John 1: 45-51
“Come and See”
We have little information about Bartholomew, one of the 12 apostles of Jesus. The Church has identified him with Nathanael for centuries. The Gospel of John says Nathanael came from Cana in Galilee [21.2]. As with Andrew and Simon, Philip wished to share his joy of finding Jesus with his friend Nathanael. Philip used his knowledge of the scriptures to describe Jesus to his friend, saying he found the one Moses wrote about in the law, as had the prophets, and inviting Nathanael to “Come and see!”
His encounter with Jesus, as described in the Gospel of John, offers us profound insights into our faith journey and mission. Nathanael’s initial scepticism is evident when he asks, “Can anything good come from Nazareth?” Philip’s response is simple yet powerful: “Come and see.”
This invitation to “come and see” is the first step in our faith journey. It is an invitation to encounter Jesus personally. Nathanael’s scepticism was transformed into faith when he met Jesus and experienced His divine knowledge and love, and he immediately made his profession of faith: “Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel.”
According to the traditions, Bartholomew preached the Gospel in Armenia and Persia and, like most of the apostles, was martyred for his faith. As Christians, we are called not only to come and see but also to go and tell. Our encounter with Jesus compels us to share the Good News with others. This mission is not limited to words but is also reflected in our actions and the way we live our lives.