Greetings on this the Feast of Saint Bartholomew, Apostle
Readings: Rv 21:9b-14; PS 145:10-11, 12-13, 17-18; Jn 1:45-51
Notes: Deceitfulness has become the hallmark of modern communications. We failed to keep the fences in place. Now we must restore trust in even our speech.
Truly we have built a new Tower of Babel.
https://www.vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/documents/vat-ii_decree_19631204_inter-mirifica_en.html
A beautiful reflection on Bartholomew is given on Franciscan Media here:
https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-bartholomew
First reading
We see in this first reading the absolute reliance upon the Jewish people in the story of salvation and of the gentile story of the encounter with Jesus.
The bride, the wife of the Lamb:
- Jerusalem, a holy city,
- with twelve gates where twelve angels were stationed and on which names were inscribed, the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel.
- The wall of the city had twelve courses of stones as its foundation, on which were inscribed the twelve names of the twelve Apostles of the Lamb.
Responsorial Psalm
Your friends make known, O Lord, the glorious splendor of your Kingdom.
The LORD is just in all his ways and holy in all his works.
The LORD is near to all who call upon him, to all who call upon him in truth.
Alleluia Verse
Rabbi, you are the Son of God;
you are the King of Israel.
Gospel Portion
Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and said of him, “Here is a true child of Israel. There is no duplicity in him.”
Duplicity: deceitfulness; double-dealing.
Note from New American Bible, Revised Edition (NABRE): A true Israelite. There is no duplicity in him: Jacob was the first to bear the name “Israel” (Gn 32:29), but Jacob was a man of duplicity (Gn 27:35–36).
Jacob, beloved of the Lord, did not escape the tag of duplicity. He worked hard to remove the stain upon the meeting of his brother Esau many years later.
So we too should strive to be like Nathanael.
Our Yes be yes and our No be no.
And if not as Nathanael (Bartholomew), then like Jacob who made restitution.
May it be said of you:
Do you believe because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree?
You will see greater things than this.”
And he said to him, “Amen, amen, I say to you, you will see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.”
Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry
Deacon Gerry Palermo 