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: A mystical revelation.
- We can see the angels always in support of our cause out of love for the LORD.
- We can see Israel always and forever cherished among the nations of men as they are the gate to the heavenly spaces.
- We see the apostles construction of the foundation wall of the Lamb.
And the billions of common folk all trying to live a good and right life among men and before G-d.
The angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests. (Lk 2:10, 15)
Like living stones, let yourselves be built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ (1 Ptr 2:5)
Reflection
Bartholomew or Nathanael? We are confronted again with the fact that we know almost nothing about most of the apostles. Yet the unknown ones were also foundation stones, the 12 pillars of the new Israel whose 12 tribes now encompass the whole earth. Their personalities were secondary—without thereby being demeaned—to their great office of bearing tradition from their firsthand experience, speaking in the name of Jesus, putting the Word Made Flesh into human words for the enlightenment of the world. Their holiness was not an introverted contemplation of their status before God. It was a gift that they had to share with others. The Good News was that all are called to the holiness of being Christ’s members, by the gracious gift of God.
The simple fact is that humanity is totally meaningless unless God is its total concern. Then humanity, made holy with God’s own holiness, becomes the most precious creation of God.
Source: https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-bartholomew/
First Reading
Come here. I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb.
A city, the heavenly Jerusalem.
Twelve Angels.
Twelve Gates – the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel.
Twelve courses of Stone – the names of the twelve Apostles of the Lamb.
It had a massive, high wall, 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
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.
Gospel Acclamation
Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel.
Gospel
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