Posted by The WORD in other words (2018) by Fr Oscar Alunday SVD – San Fernando, La Union
Feast of Saint Bartholomew, Apostle – August 24
Bartholomew, the apostle whom we honor today, suffered from his torturers. They removed his skin and cut it into strips, “leaving the saint agonizing with his flesh open and bleeding for a long time, before being beheaded” (Book of Saints).
St. Bartholomew, alias Nathaniel, was born in Cana, Galilee. When Philip told him that he found Jesus the Messiah, he said frankly, “Can anything good come from Nazareth?” Jesus appreciated his remark and described Nathaniel as a “true Israelite, there is no duplicity in him” (Jn 1:47). True enough he preached courageously in Armenia and India.
We need people with no duplicity, no double and even multiple lifestyles. The courage and frankness of St Bartholomew to say, “Can anything good come from Nazareth,” challenges us to ask honest questions about ourselves and about our roots without double talk.
Asking questions that lead to deep reflection can help purify our motivations of involvement or non-participation in mission-oriented activities in the community and in society. Reflective answers to honest questions will allow us to heal a world of wounded generations.
The invitation of Jesus to follow Him is addressed to all even if in this world there are many groups that still “cut to pieces the skins of people” because of faith convictions.
When Jesus passes you by and says “Follow me,” walk with him, because something good will happen to you. You will experience a new heaven and a new earth through people like St. Bartholomew who made the presence of God more visible through the witness of his life by literally offering his skin for God.
What kind of “skin” do you wear? How can you build up a skin for God that is sensitive to the needs of people?
One comment