Come and See!

by: Sis. Donna del Rosario

The Catholic Church celebrates the Feast of St. Bartholomew this Sunday Feast of St. Bartholomew. He is the Patron Saint of shoemakers, tanners, whiteners, with nervous neurological diseases. He was from Cana of Galilee and 6^th among the 12 Apostles of Jesus Christ. His relics were relocated to the Neapoliatan city of Beneventum in Italy, and in the tenth century part of the relics were transported to Rome. 

John 1:43-51 The next day he decided to go to Galilee, and he found Philip. And Jesus said to him, "Follow me." Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the town of Andrew and Peter. Philip found Nathanael and told him, "We have found the one about whom Moses wrote in the law, and also the prophets, Jesus, son of Joseph, from Nazareth." But Nathanael said to him, "Can anything good come from Nazareth?" Philip said to him, "Come and see." Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and said of him, "Here is a true Israelite. There is no duplicity in him." Nathanael said to him, "How do you know me?" Jesus answered and said to him, "Before Philip called you, I saw you under the fig tree." Nathanael answered him, "Rabbi, you are the Son of God;  you are the King of Israel." Jesus answered and said to him, "Do you believe because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than this." And he said to him, "Amen, amen,  I say to you, you will see the sky opened and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man."

I choose St. Bartholomew as my point of insight because it was through St. Batholomew Parish that I got first acquainted with Friends of the Divine Mercy.

Through flyers distributed by FDMC members, it was in September 4-5, 2004 that I was invited in the Catholic Life in the Spirit Seminar (CLSE).  All the questions that brood over my mind which I sought to clear up were thus answered throughout the spiritual formation, just the way it was assured by the one who made the invitation. 

Like St. Bartholomew who was persuaded by his friend Philip, we were also once invited so we should be indebted of these people who were assertive and persevering on bringing us here in the community.

Nathaniel was the type of a person who can’t be easily won over but weighs up the possibilities of a situation.  He is a free-thinker.

Just like Nathanael who accepted his friend’s invitation, we would not find the missing link that connects into our lives without making the first step.

In our relationship with Jesus, we must not be satisfied with words alone but should turn to the invitation, “Come and see!”

St. Bartholomew responded indifferently on Nathaniel’s invitation when he said, “Can anything good come from this place?”

Similarly, this degree of stereo-type behaviour is still prevalent in this society. It’s noticeably normal that we could find people who tend to be on the branding mentality associating the old nature of one’s birthplace to the person’s characteristics.  That’s how I looked at people when I meet Tondo Boys who have been tagged by the society as notorious, but this changed when I met Bro. Lito Dawa who is a resident  of this city, whose image is far from what I perceived from the word of mouth about Tondo.

Moral conviction should be everyone’s measurement of one’s inner character but neither of its past. - Bro. John Gabe

One time in an outreach area, the boy asked the volunteer, “Are you a Christian?” The latter was bowled over who scarcely replied, “What?” The boy asserted the same question so the guy replied, “I don’t believe that God exists.”  Then the child countered, “So why are you doing this charity.”  The guy replied, “We’re doing this because you need help.”

What would be your initial reaction if Jesus tells you, “Here’s is a man, in whom there is no deception.”  Would you not be taken aback considering that Jesus does not know you personally?

We can reflect two things connecting the fig tree to the life of St. Bartholomew.

Crouch down, recline, and eat its fruits if a bunch falls right in front.

Proverbs 13:4 The soul of the sluggard craves in vain, but the diligent soul is amply satisfied.

Sloth is contagious and a sin. Sloth should not inhabit a place in our attachment with the community.  Much-loved TV shows and weather condition should not hamper our constant engagement with the community.

Zechariah 3:10 On that day, says the LORD of hosts, you will invite one another under your vines and fig trees."

During the time of St. Bartholomew (usually identified with Nathanael whom Saint John refers to in his Gospel), the fig tree is a place of contemplation .

Get to know God by contemplating on His attributes.

Jesus indulged with Nathaniel as if they have met long before yet.   In the same way, Jesus’ treatment towards one another corresponds to that who could fathom every details of our lives, from our weakness and strength up to our heart’s desires.

No one would endure the complexity of facing an ordeal if one spends a quality time in prayers believing that our characters are being shaped in this tribulation.

Jesus calls those with imperfections, using these blotches as a transforming element on discipleship to give potency to others.

Use your energy and talents to be appreciative of God.

St. Bartholomew preached in Asia Minor, Mesopotamia, Ethiopia,  Persia, and India. His zeal to evangelize the Word of God had reached up to the point of his death.  In the place of the pursuit of his mission where idolatry was known, the people believed that sacrificing the life of others as an offering would bring healing.

There was an occasion that the King of Armenia in the name of Polymius deployed his men to look for St. Bartholomew.  Auspiciously, his presence to the kingdom had brought healing to the King.  Out of appreciation, the King together with his family was converted to Christianity.

The King’s brother, King Astyages was infuriated by this decision so he captured St. Bartholomew.  While detained, the King tormented him but he remained with his zeal to the Living God and continued preaching and worshiping which doubly enraged the king.  He then ordered his men to skin him alive but his ardour towards God never faltered.  Only by the time that his tongue was cut, beheaded and crucified, head downward, head downward that he could no longer preach and praise.

We do not need execution and cutting of the tongue experience but the must to offer our service, forgive, and to love even without recognition.

Behold, a true Christian in whom there’s no deception even while he/she’s still on earth yet.