Dear Fathers , Friends in Christ,
We remember Saint Bartholomew
Except that he was called to be one of the twelve apostles, nothing certain is known about him, but it is possible that he is the same man as Nathanael an Isralite indeed', in whom is no guile' of whose meeting with Christ there is a remarkable account in Saint John's gospel , chapter 1, verses 45-51.Later writers associate Saint Bartholomew with the spreading of the gospel in Lycaonia, India and more particularly, Armenia. Lets turn to John 1:45-51
Can anything good come from Nazareth?
This is a moment of tremendous understated humor in the Bible. One can almost see and feel the weariness in Nathanael's voice as he listens to Philip blather on about the latest in the long line of saviours that Philip has dragged home for inspection. You could hear this today anywhere: Can anything good come out of Melbourne, London, Amsterdam or Los Angeles?
So, Nazareth wasn't a place of good repute. And Jesus laughingly says, "Here's a guy who says what's on his mind." Then Jesus proceeds to convince Nathanael and gently jests with him, "I convince you so easily?"
Nathanael was a man of open heart and good humor, inclined to speak the truth and to tell it as he saw it. As a result, he was folded into the circle almost immediately. May we all be Christians of good humor and light heart, ready to embrace and offer the joyful side of life. These are the kind of witnesses heaven rejoices in!
Father Ed Bakker
Anglican Catholic Church / Original Province
Mission of Saint Aidan of Lindisfarne
Bendigo, Australia.
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