9-day novena to St Joseph | Day 6
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-Tertullian
Michelango's witness. For his faith, St Bart was skinned alive which associates him with the perhaps morbid: pork rinds. Is this worse than honoring the crucifix as a symbol of our salvation? For St Bart, pork rinds signify his crowning-achievement that Jesus was the Messiah. In the Vatican's Sistine Chapel "The Last Judgement," Michelangelo paints St Bart holding a tanner's knife and a suit of skin.
Untangling Names. To Sts. Mathew, Mark and Luke, the surname Bartholomew was used which means: son of Ptolemy or bar-Tolomai. To St John, St Bart's first name was Nathaniel meaning "given by God." In John 1:43-51, Nathanael is skeptical when Philip describes the Messiah, “can anything good come from Nazareth?” Philip’s response is inspired by the Holy Spirit. Philip baits Nathaniel Bartholomew with, “come and see...”
We all have our Fig Tree. Jesus wanted St Bart's heart, just like He wants ours. "I saw you under the fig tree," another cryptic-bait from the Fisher of men. Imagine the pregnant pause and eye contact with the Son of God. To set the hook, Jesus points, “here is a true Israelite. There is no duplicity in him.” Immediately, St Bart trusts him. "Rabbi, you are the Son of God and King of Israel." Once you know, you know. Today, we know Jesus as the King of the Universe. He promises to return someday to right all wrongs, dry all tears and bring us to everlasting glory--if we believe in His justice, love and peace. Who doesn't want that?
Skin in the Game. At the first Pentecost, the Holy Spirit fired-up the apostles' courage. As they spread the Good News, we see papyrus-trails of St Bart in Arabia, Armenia, Ethiopia, India, Parthia, etc. This too, is our quest. Depending on our God-given gifts, the Holy Spirit seeks our witness in parish ministry today: Bible study, Catechist, Music, Pro-Life, Seven-Sisters and the like. As witnesses, Jesus calls us too, to have "skin in the game." Additionally, this may mean suffering to prove our faith.
Patron of Skin Diseases. Martyr-St Lawrence was grilled on a spit, comedically-asking to be flipped to his raw side. BBQs are held to honor that feast day. On St Bart's day, seminarians celebrate with figs, pork rinds and beer. Though legends are hard to prove, we know St Bart's life was forever-changed upon meeting Jesus Christ. The same must be said of us. We must meet our Lord: encounter Him personally, allow Him to change our lives and never look back. Let us ponder our willingness to imitate St Bart's witness, while seeking his prayerful intercession on this August 24 feast. Happy St Bart's Day!
Prayer:
Saint Bartholomew, your openness to Divine-grace
enabled our Lord to touch your soul & forever-change your heart.
Please pray for our hearts to open to God's life-changing graces also.
Saint Bartholomew, pray for us.
Jesus, we trust in You.
Sources
Pork Rinds & Cracklins: St Bart's Homily by Fr. Glenn H Harris | SoundCloud.com
St Bartholomew, Apostle | My Catholic Life!
Science cannot explain suffering. As Lay Passionist and nurse, she challenges modern health care assumptions; contraception, abortion, euthanasia, herd immunity and more. Behind every health dilemma, God asks us to abide in Him. Author of 7 books & >20 peer-reviewed nursing journal articles; she also writes as "The Catholic Nurse" on Substack, see "Archives." She is a veteran of the Army Nurse Corps. Her primary charism is mercy through which she explores redemptive suffering, spiritual healing and the joy of bringing of souls to God.
