Posted by The WORD in other words (2006) by Father Xene Sanchez SVD – Kinshasa, Congo
Feast of Saint Bartholomew, August 24
Philip told Nathanael that they had found “the One whom Moses in the Law and also the prophets wrote about” (John 1:45). The promised Savior had come! To understand Jesus’ identity more deeply, we must know the Old Testament, for it prepares the way and reveals the fullness of His mission.
Nathanael, after hearing Philip’s words, went to encounter Jesus personally. Their conversation revealed the rich titles attributed to Him:
- Rabbi — Teacher, one who instructs in divine wisdom.
- Son of God — acknowledging His divine nature.
- King of Israel — the promised descendant of David, fulfilling messianic hope.
In professing these titles, Nathanael was making a confession of faith in Jesus of Nazareth.
Jesus responded by calling Himself the Son of Man. This title, rooted in the Old Testament, comes from Daniel’s vision: “To him was given dominion and glory and kingship, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him” (Daniel 7:14).
Jesus promised Nathanael: “You will see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man” (John 1:51). This echoes Isaiah’s cry: “Oh, that you would rend the heavens and come down” (Isaiah 64:1). In Christ, heaven and earth are united.
Tradition identifies Nathanael with Bartholomew, whose feast we celebrate today. His story invites us to discover the treasures of the Old Testament, which remain forever new. The more we read it, the closer we draw to Jesus, until we encounter Him personally.
The Gospel challenges us not only to hear about Jesus but to meet Him face to face. Like Nathanael, we are invited to move from hearsay to encounter, from titles to living faith.
“Taste and see that the Lord is good” (Psalm 34:8).
