Saint Bartholomew the Apostle

St. Bartholomew is one of the Twelve Apostles, mentioned sixth in the three Gospel lists (Matthew 10:3; Mark 3:18; Luke 6:14). The name (Bartholomaios) means "son of Talmai," which was an ancient Hebrew name. The Gospel passage read at Mass on the feast of Saint Bartholomew is precisely this passage from John (1:45-51), where Nathaniel is introduced to Jesus by his friend Phillip. Jesus paid him a great compliment: "Here is a true Israelite. There is no duplicity in him" (John 1:47b). When Nathaniel asked how Jesus knew him, Jesus said, "I saw you under the fig tree" (John 1:48b). Whatever amazing revelation this involved, it brought Nathaniel to exclaim, "Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel" (John 1:49b). But Jesus countered with, "Do you believe because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than this" (John 1:50b). Nathaniel did see greater things. He was one of those to whom Jesus appeared on the shore of the Sea of Tiberias after his resurrection (see John 21:1-14). Jesus, in Matthew 5:8, says, "Blessed are the pure of heart, for they shall see God." In Nathaniel, we have an example of the pure man who sees - recognizes - God when confronted with Him, and on seeing Him, believes in Him, and upon believing in Him, follows Him. After the Ascension of Jesus, he preached in the East and died a martyr's death in Armenia, being flayed alive for having won converts to the Lord Jesus. The Church of St. Bartholomew-on-the-Tiber in Rome has enshrined the relics of St. Bartholomew for the past 1,000 years. St. Bartholomew is the Patron of plasterers, tanners, and butchers. He is also invoked against skin diseases and convulsions. Heavenly Father, strengthen in us 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. Amen. Jonathan Fabian Ginunggil, Most High Servant, Jesus, Mary, Joseph Ministry of Love (Blessed and Saints and the Nine Choirs of Angels)