St. Bartholomew
On the Grapevine 34
St. Bartholomew the Apostle (aka St. Nathanael), when told about Jesus by his brother, Philip, asked "Can any thing of good come from Nazareth?" You can find the passage in John 1:43-51. That response always tickled me a little. . .
Jesus called St. Bartholomew an Israelite without guile. He is one of few in the Bible to call Jesus the Son of God, and became one of the chosen twelve apostles. As far as we know, after the Ascension, Bartholomew went on to preach in India and Armenia. Tradition has it that it was in Armenia that he was martyred - he was skinned alive and then crucified head down by the king's brother after converting the king. That is why he is often depicted with a knife or holding his own skin. You can read more about him HERE.
I think his martyrdom makes a good meditation. Satan, the father of lies, appears in Genesis as a serpent. Serpents are known for having layers of skin that they shed. These layers could be likened to layers of duplicity, masks and lies. Bartholomew, the honest man without guile, is stripped of his own skin for Christ who is the truth.
- Meg
Jesus called St. Bartholomew an Israelite without guile. He is one of few in the Bible to call Jesus the Son of God, and became one of the chosen twelve apostles. As far as we know, after the Ascension, Bartholomew went on to preach in India and Armenia. Tradition has it that it was in Armenia that he was martyred - he was skinned alive and then crucified head down by the king's brother after converting the king. That is why he is often depicted with a knife or holding his own skin. You can read more about him HERE.
I think his martyrdom makes a good meditation. Satan, the father of lies, appears in Genesis as a serpent. Serpents are known for having layers of skin that they shed. These layers could be likened to layers of duplicity, masks and lies. Bartholomew, the honest man without guile, is stripped of his own skin for Christ who is the truth.
- Meg
Prayer to St. Bartholomew
O Glorious Saint Bartholomew,
Jesus called you a person without guile
and you saw in this word a sign that he was the Son of God and King of Israel.
Obtain for us the grace to be ever guileless and innocent as doves.
At the same time, help us to have your gift of faith
to see the Divine hand in the events of daily life.
May we discern the signs of the times
that lead to Jesus on earth
and will eventually unite us to him forever in heaven.
Amen.
Jesus called you a person without guile
and you saw in this word a sign that he was the Son of God and King of Israel.
Obtain for us the grace to be ever guileless and innocent as doves.
At the same time, help us to have your gift of faith
to see the Divine hand in the events of daily life.
May we discern the signs of the times
that lead to Jesus on earth
and will eventually unite us to him forever in heaven.
Amen.