psalm 145 - friends bringing friends to Christ - st bartholomew

Today we celebrate the feast of St. Bartholomew, one of the twelve apostles of our Lord.  Bartholomew comes from two Hebrew words Bar and Tolmay, meaning, the son of Tolmay, the son of a ploughman.  It is some kind of a family name.  His first name is Nathaniel.  In the gospel Nathaniel was introduced to our Lord by his friend Philip.  Bartholomew is considered the apostle to India because it is said that he reached far away India in order to bring the message of Jesus to all.  He died a martyr’s death when the enemies of the faith flayed him alive - ginpanitan.  If you are familiar with the Michelangelo’s painting of the Last Judgement in the Sistine chapel you will see there a curious figure, Nathaniel or Bartholomew carrying his skin.

Two things for our reflection.  Bartholomew came to know Christ through his friend Philip.  Here you have an example of true friendship.  A friend is somebody who brings you to the good.  Philip brought his friend to Jesus and because of that introduction Bartholomew became an apostle.  Be careful of choosing friends.  True friends will bring you to the good.  Bad friends will make you stray. 

Psalm 145 says  – All God's creatures must give thanks to the Lord and proclaim the mighty works of God.  If we are to proclaim the mighty works of God then our friendships must bring us and our friends closer to God.  That is why we need good friends to bring us closer to God.

Second:  Bartholomew offered his life to Christ not just in bringing the gospel as far as India, but even offering his life through a most painful death - death by flaying.  Following Jesus entails joy but also a lot of pain, a lot of difficulties and trials.  Your difficulties – no cellphone, sitting it out for long study periods, indi nami ang sud-an, mainit nga dorm and even the fact that you cannot choose the people you want to be with – these difficulties are part of following Jesus just like Bartholomew who was made to suffer a horrible death for the sake of Jesus.  But we should be consoled by Psalm 145 because the Lord is near to all those who come before him in truth.  Do not be afraid – God's mercy will always uphold us.