St Bartholomew 24.08.09

Apocalypse 21:9-14 / John 1:45-51    (2020)

St Bartholomew was from Cana in Galilee, and he was often identified as Nathaniel because the Gospel according to Mathew lists him together with Philip as one of the first apostles chosen by Christ.

But from the gospel that we have just heard, Nathaniel did not initially had a good impression of Jesus.

Because when he heard that Jesus was from Nazareth, he asked, "What good can come out of Nazareth?"

He was a crude, straight forward man, and Jesus recognized that in him when he said that he was incapable of deceit, meaning that he was frank.

But Jesus saw more than that in him; he saw that he was sincere and he awaited for the coming of the Messiah.

The phrase "under the fig tree" means that one is at prayer and open to the Lord.

And indeed, Nathaniel was open enough to recognize Jesus as the Son of God and the King of Israel.

As we reflect on Nathaniel's call story, we may recall those whom we don't quite have a good impression of.

Let us sincerely pray that we will eventually see the good in others, just as Jesus sees the good in each of us.