St Bartholemew
This Sunday we celebrate St Bartholomew. We know nothing about Bartholomew apart from his name that is included in the lists of the apostles in the Gospel accounts of Matthew, Mark and Luke and the Acts of the Apostles. Scholars think that Nathanael as recorded in John’s Gospel account is Bartholomew. On this basis Bartholomew came from Cana and was brought to Jesus by Philip. When they meet there is the extraordinary conversation between them.
First Jesus compliments him, “Now here is a genuine son of Israel—a man of complete integrity.” “How do you know about me?” Nathanael asked. Jesus replied, “I could see you under the fig tree before Philip found you.” Then Nathanael proclaims, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God—the King of Israel!” Jesus then asks, “Do you believe this just because I told you I had seen you under the fig tree? Then Jesus tells him “You will see greater things than this.” Nathanael certainly did see greater things. He was one of those to whom Jesus appeared on the shore of the Sea of Tiberias after his resurrection.
We know little about most of the apostles. But the reality is that their personal details are secondary to their first-hand eyewitness experience with Jesus that allowed them to speak in Jesus’s name. This put the Word Made Flesh into human words for the enlightenment of the world.
The gift that they were given, their holiness, was one they had to share with others. The Good News that they shared was, and is, that all people are called to be disciples of Jesus by the gracious Gift of God’s Love.
God bless you
Parish Officers
Parish Governance
Parish Groups
From the Vicar
