St. Bartholomew. Today's feast, for an apostle, should bring to mind the importance of example, the role of models in our lives and our lives in the lives of others who look up to us.
In today's gospel we come to a reminder of something learned earlier. What was Bartholomew's name before he became an apostle? Do you remember? It was Nathaniel. And, I hope, you recall that Nathaniel and Jesus had already seen him. "Before Philip called you, I saw you under the fig tree."
Nathaniel seems to be the first called to be an apostle by someone other than Jesus himself. It was the early "missionary" work of Philip that brought about the acceptance of another apostle. This is the model of one person's good life bringing others to follow in the same goodness.
Nathaniel, nonetheless, was like so many followers. Speaking of Jesus when Philip called him to become part of the "group," Nathaniel said, "Can anything good come from Nazareth?" He had his doubts as anyone has upon embarking upon something new and different. Nathaniel's doubts are the results of prejudice. The people of Nazareth were not always accepted. So, it is not surprising the Nathanial would say what he did. However, it is a picture of grace at work when he did not close his mind to the words of invitation from Philip to follow Jesus with the others. Here is the picture of someone being open-minded.
Models. We are called to be Philips in our time. Open-minded. We are called in a world divided over so many issues to be open to an invitation from Jesus. He will come to greet us once we even endeavor to listen to him.
Let's not forget Msgr. Jim Beatty and the people of St. Bartholomew (Bethesda) parish on this their patronal feast day.
