Saint of the Week: Bartholomew (or Nathanael)

John 1:43-51

The name "Bartholomew" appears in the New Testament only on lists of the names of the twelve apostles. This list normally is given as six pairs, and the third pair in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke is "Philip and Bartholomew"

John gives no list of the Twelve, but refers to more of them individually than the other three. He does not name Bartholomew, but early in his account (John 1:43-50) he tells of the call to discipleship of a Nathaniel who is often supposed to be the same person. The reasoning is as follows: (1) John's Nathanael is introduced as one of the earliest followers of Jesus, and in terms which suggest that he became one of the Twelve. (2) "Bar-tholomew" is a patronymic, meaning "son of Tolmai (or Talmai)." It is therefore likely that he had another name. (3) Nathanael is introduced in John's narrative as a friend of Philip. Since Bartholomew is paired with Philip on three of our four lists of Apostles, it seems likely that they were associated.

Assuming that is the case, then the call of Nathanael described in today's reading from John is also the call of "Bar-tholomew." This son of Israel cared deeply for the future of his people, and refused to give up on God's promises of a Messiah, an "Anointed One" who would bring God's power into this world. Nathanael did not let his skepticism over things coming from Nazareth stop him in his quest. 'Come and see," his friend Philip suggested, and Nathanael did, moving toward the unknown and unfamiliar, trusting that there and only there would he find God.

And when he arrived, he discovered the One who was more than a powerful. He discovered that the "Anointed One" knew Nathanael better than he knew himself. But of course! God made us. As the years go by, we try on various roles that the world assigns us: athlete, businessman, politician, plumber, carpenter, etc. But God knows who we are, to the depths of our hearts. Let us be willing to strip away the roles that have been assigned to us. Then we shall know ourselves as God knows us and loves us.

Pray for us, St. Nathanael, Son of Tolmai, that we may not fear to "come and see" the unknown.