Hôm nay, Giáo Hội tôn vinh một trong Mười Hai vị Tông Đồ mà Chúa Giêsu đã tuyển chọn để thành lập Giáo Hội của Ngài và đi đến tận cùng trái đất để chia sẻ Tin Mừng. Đó là thánh Batôlômêô, như tên của ông trong Phúc âm, rất có thể không phải là tên thật của ông, mà là một mô tả về dòng dõi của ông. Tên của ông trong tiếng Aramaic là Bartôlmay, được dịch là “con trai của Tolmai”. Mặc dù có đề cập đến những người khác có tên Tolmai trong Cựu Ước nhưng không có thông tin gì về cha mẹ hoặc lý lịch của ông Bartholomew. Mặc dù không có gì chắc chắn về Batôlômêô, nhưng hầu hết các học giả đều đồng ý rằng ông Batôlômêô được đề cập trong Tin Mừng Nhất Lãm chính là người như ông Nathanael trong Tin Mừng Gioan. Do đó, có thể “ông Nathanael, con trai của Tolmai” là tên đầy đủ của vị thánh Tông đồ mà chúng ta kính nhớ hôm nay.
Là một trong Nhóm Mười Hai người ông Na-tha-na-ên hay Batôlômêô đã đồng hành cùng Chúa Giêsu trong suốt cuộc hành trình rao giảng công khai của Chúa Giêsu. Ông đã học nơi Ngài, được Ngài hình thành và ông đã dâng hiến cuộc đời mình cho Ngài. Ông đã chứng kiến Chúa Giêsu bị bắt, trải nghiệm cái chết của Ngài từ xa và sau đó tận mắt chứng kiến Ngài sống lại. Khi Chúa Giêsu lên trời, ông Batôlômêô nằm trong số những người được Chúa Giêsu phán bảo: “Nhưng khi Chúa Thánh Thần ngự xuống trên các con, các con sẽ nhận được sức mạnh và làm chứng cho Thầy tại Giêrusalem, khắp Giuđêa, Samaria và cho đến tận cùng trái đất”. (Công vụ 1:8). Và: “ các con hãy đi thâu nạp môn đồ khắp muôn dân, thanh tẩy chúng nhân danh Cha và Con và Thánh Thần, Dạy chúng giữ hết mọi điều Ta đã truyền cho các ngươi. Và Ta sẽ ở với các ngươi mọi ngày cho đến tận thế". (Mt. 28:19–20).
Bài học đầu tiên để chúng ta suy ngẫm hôm nay là niềm tin đích thực vào Thiên Chúa. Có lẽ chúng ta cũng giống như ông Na-tha-na-ên , chúng ta rất dễ dàng nghi ngờ về đức tin của chúng ta, vì chúng ta không hiểu hết các các Tin Mừng. Có lẽ nếu ông Philipphê đến và nói với ông Nathanael hay Batôlômêô rằng Chúa Giêsu đã sinh ra ở Bethlehem nhưng lớn lên ở Nazareth, thì ông Batôlômêô có thể đã cởi mở hơn ngay lập tức tin vào lời ông Philipphê. Nhưng cuộc gặp gỡ này rất có thể đã diễn ra như nó đã xảy ra, với sự nghi ngờ ban đầu của ông Batôlômêô , bởi vì Chúa Thánh Thần, Đấng đã soi dẫn những đoạn Kinh thánh này, muốn chúng ta học một bài học quan trọng. Bài học chúng ta phải học là chúng ta không được đóng cánh cửa Sự thật chỉ vì điều gì đó không có ý nghĩa rõ ràng đối với chúng ta. Sự nghi ngờ không bao giờ đến từ Chúa. Tin vui trong đoạn Tin Mừng này là, mặc dù ông Batôlômêô đã lập tức bày tỏ sự nghi ngờ nhất định, nhưng ông vẫn cởi mở với những gì ông Philipphê đã nói. Để trả lời cho sự nghi ngờ này ông Ông Philipphê đã nói điều tốt nhất mà anh ấy có thể nói. “Hãy đến xem.”
Điều gì trong cuộc sống của chúng ta liên quan đến cuộc sống hay liên quan đến nhiều chân lý trong đức tin của chúng ta đã khiến cho chúng ta phải băn khoanh và bối rối? Nếu có điều gì mà chúng ta đang gặp khó khăn theo cách này, thì chúng ta hãy lắng nghe và làm theo những lời của ông Philipphê là: “Hãy đến mà xem”.
Khi ông Philíp đưa ông Batôlômêô đến với Chúa Giêsu, ông Batôlômêô nhanh chóng tuyên xưng đức tin trọn vẹn nơi Chúa Giêsu là “Lạy Thầy, Thầy là Con Thiên Chúa, là Vua dân Israel”.
Chúa Giêsu đã nói rất ít để thuyết phục ông Batôlômêô về những lẽ thật này. Chúa Giêsu chỉ nói với ông Nathanael Ngài đã nhìn thấy ông ngồi dưới gốc cây vả và Ngài biết ông Batôlômêô là một người không hề dối trá. Không gian dối có nghĩa là chúng ta không phải là người hai mặt; đúng hơn, chúng ta phải giống như ông Nathanael, chúng ta phải là một người trung thực và thẳng thắn. Việc ông Nathanael đã nhận ra sự vĩ đại của Chúa Giêsu ông ta chỉ có thể đến với Chúa là nhờ ân sủng tác động trong tâm hồn của ông. Ông đến gặp Chúa Giêsu và tin vào Chúa là nhờ hồng ân đức tin nội tâm của ông.
Bài học của ông Na-tha-na-ên hay Bartholomew dạy cho chúng ta rằng nếu chúng ta biết trình bày những bối rối lo âu của mình với Chúa trong đức tin và với sự cởi mở, thì tất cả sẽ được sáng tỏ. Chúng ta sẽ loại bỏ được những cám dỗ nghi ngờ, và chúng ta sẽ có thể có được niềm tin vượt xa lý trí của con người.
Hôm nay, chúng ta hãy suy ngẫm về tính chân thật và cởi mở của tâm hồn nơi ông Nathanael. Chúng ta hãy dâng lên Chúa tất cả những thắc mắc trong lòng hay những câu hỏi nào mà chúng ta mong muốn rằng chúng ta sẽ nhận được những gì chúng ta cần. Niềm tin thường không đến từ những lập luận thuyết phục hay những lý luận suy diễn chi tiết. Niềm Tin thường đến qua sự cởi mở trong sáng và đơn giản đối với Tiếng Chúa phán trong tâm hồn của chúng ta. Nhưng khi hồng ân đức tin được ban tặng, thì hồng ân đức tin này mang theo một sự chắc chắn thánh thiện không thể nghi ngờ.
Feast of Saint Bartholomew, Apostle, August 24
Today, the Church honors one of the Twelve Apostles whom Jesus handpicked to form His Church and to go forth to the ends of the earth to share the Good News. Bartholomew, as he is named in the Gospels, is most likely not his actual name, but a description of his lineage. His name in Aramaic is bar-Tôlmay, which is translated as “son of Tolmai.” While there are mentions of others named Tolmai in the Old Testament, nothing is known about Bartholomew’s father or background. Though nothing is certain about “Bartholomew,” most scholars agree that the Bartholomew mentioned in the Synoptic Gospels is the same person as Nathanael in John’s Gospel. Hence, it might be that “Nathanael, the son of Tolmai,” is the full name of today’s saint.
As one of the Twelve, Nathanael accompanied Jesus throughout his public ministry. He learned from Him, was formed by Him, and gave his life to Him. He witnessed Jesus’ arrest, experienced His death from a distance, and then saw Him resurrected with his own eyes. When Jesus ascended to Heaven, Nathanael was among those whom Jesus told, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, throughout Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8). And, “Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age” (Matthew 28:19–20).
The first lesson to ponder today is that, just like Nathanael, we can easily doubt matters of faith because we do not fully understand. Perhaps if Philip had come and said that Jesus was born in Bethlehem but raised in Nazareth, then Nathanael may have been more immediately open. But this encounter most likely unfolded as it did, with Nathanael’s initial doubt, because the Holy Spirit, Who inspired these Scriptures, wanted us to learn an important lesson. The lesson we must learn is that we must not close the door on the Truth just because something doesn’t immediately make sense to us. Doubts are never from God. The good news in this Gospel passage is that, even though Nathanael did immediately express a certain doubt, he remained open to what Philip was saying. Philip, in answer to this doubt, said the best thing he could have said. He said, “Come and see.” What is it in your life that seems confusing to you in regard to your life or in regard to the many truths of our faith? If there is something that you struggle with in this way, then listen to the words of Philip and allow them to be spoken to you: “Come and see.”
Once Philip brought Nathanael to Jesus, Nathanael quickly professed his full faith in Jesus as the “Son of God” and the “King of Israel.” Jesus said very little to Nathanael to convince him of these truths. Jesus simply told Nathanael that he had seen him sitting under the fig tree and that He knew that Nathanael was a man without guile. To be without guile means that you are not two-faced; rather, you are a very honest and straightforward person. Nathanael’s immediate realization of the greatness of Jesus could have only come by the gift of grace working in his soul. He came to see Jesus and believed through the interior gift of faith.
The lesson of Nathanael tells us that if we bring our confusion to our Lord in faith and openness, all will be made clear. We will have our temptations to doubt removed, and we will be able to have faith that goes far beyond human reason alone.
Reflect, today, upon the genuineness and openness of the heart of Nathanael. Bring to our Lord any and every question you have with the expectation that you will receive what you need. Faith does not usually come through convincing arguments or detailed deductive reasoning. It normally comes through a pure and simple openness to the Voice of God speaking within our soul. But when the gift of faith is given, it brings with it a holy certainty that cannot be doubted.
My loving Lord, You invite all of us to come to You, to see You and to have faith in You. You truly are the Son of God and the King of all. Please open my mind to all that You wish to say to me so that I may shed my doubts and come to a transforming faith in all things. Jesus, I trust in You.
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.” John 1:45–46
The name “Bartholomew” is listed in the Synoptic Gospels as one of Jesus’ chosen Twelve Apostles. His name means, “son of Tolmai.” In John’s Gospel, he is traditionally identified as Nathanael. It’s possible that his full name was Nathanael, son of Tolmai.
In John’s Gospel, Andrew and John—two fishermen from Capernaum—were the first to be called by Jesus. Andrew then told his friend Philip, who subsequently told Nathanael, “We have found the one about whom Moses wrote in the law, and also the prophets, Jesus son of Joseph, from Nazareth.”
Nathanael’s immediate response was one of doubt: “Can anything good come from Nazareth?” This reflected the fact that Nazareth was a small and seemingly insignificant town at that time; moreover, the Messiah was expected to come from Bethlehem, the City of David. Neither Philip nor Nathanael knew Jesus had actually been born in Bethlehem. Yet Philip’s response opened the door to a dramatic transformation in Nathanael’s life: “Come and see.”
Because Nathanael was open, he did go to see Jesus. When Jesus saw him approaching, He said, “Here is a true child of Israel. There is no duplicity in him.” Jesus had seen Nathanael sitting under a fig tree earlier, and upon revealing this, Nathanael responded in a way that must have surprised even himself: “Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel.”
According to ancient tradition, after Pentecost, Nathanael evangelized in regions that included India, Armenia, and Mesopotamia, ultimately giving his life as a martyr, possibly by being flayed alive. What a change from his initial skepticism to his final act of witness! Little did Nathanael realize that the humble carpenter from Nazareth would change not only his life, but the entire world.
As we honor Saint Bartholomew today, ponder the one quality Jesus attributed to him: “There is no duplicity in him.” To be without duplicity is to be sincere, honest, and transparent before God and others. It is to possess an integrity of heart that seeks the truth and responds wholeheartedly when that truth is revealed. Bartholomew’s journey from skepticism to a bold profession of faith reveals the transformation that takes place in a soul open to grace. His life teaches us that God can use even our hesitation to draw us deeper into faith if we are only willing to “come and see.”
In what ways do you hesitate in your response to God? Today, we do not meet Jesus for the first time, as did Bartholomew. We know Him through prayer, through the witness of the saints, and especially through the Sacred Scriptures. There are many profound and life-altering truths contained in God’s Word. We are called to approach these truths as disciples ready to be transformed. Like Nathanael, we may initially struggle with doubt, indifference, or preconceived notions, but the invitation stands: “Come and see.” Jesus continues to reveal Himself to us in countless ways, if we are only open. If we approach Him with sincerity and without duplicity, He will speak to our hearts, reveal our true selves to us, and call us into deeper communion with Him.
Reflect today on the witness of Saint Bartholomew’s life. See in him any hesitation you may have about wholeheartedly following Christ. With him, come and see our Lord. Seek Him in prayer and in His Word. Let Him speak to your heart. Approach Him without duplicity. Be open, attentive, sincere, and honest. And when He speaks, do not hesitate to follow Him, declaring with Saint Bartholomew: “Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel.”
My humble Lord, You did not present Yourself to Nathanael as a powerful king or a mighty military leader, but as a humble resident of Nazareth. Yet upon meeting You with an open heart, Nathanael made a life-changing profession of faith in You. Like Saint Bartholomew, may I always come to You with an open and sincere heart. And when You come to me, grant me the grace to cry out with conviction and love, “You are the Son of God!” Jesus, I trust in You.
Opening Prayer: Lord God, you called Saint Bartholomew from skepticism to faith, from encountering Christ to proclaiming him, and from discipleship to martyrdom. Open our hearts to the truth of your Son. Help us not to be satisfied with hearing about Jesus from others, but to come and see, to encounter him personally, and to recognize him as the Son of God and King of Israel. May the example of Saint Bartholomew inspire us to follow Christ wherever he leads us.
1. Come and See: The Apostle we celebrate today is named Nathanael in the Gospel of John. His name means “God has given.” His father’s name was Tolmai, which means “plowman,” and therefore Nathanael was also known as Bartholomew, meaning “son of Tolmai.” He was from Cana in Galilee (John 21:2) and was a close friend of the Apostle Philip. Since he was from Cana, he may even have witnessed the first sign Jesus performed there – the changing of water into wine (John 2:1-11). When Philip finds Nathanael, he tells him that he has found the one about whom Moses wrote in the Law and about whom the prophets wrote: Jesus of Nazareth. Nathanael responds skeptically: “Can anything good come from Nazareth?” (John 1:46). His objection is understandable. Scripture had foretold that the Messiah would come from Bethlehem, the city of David (see Micah 5:2; John 7:42), whereas Nazareth was an obscure village in Galilee. Philip does not try to win an argument with Nathanael. Instead, he gives him a simple invitation: “Come and see!” (John 1:46). Nathanael’s response teaches us something important about faith. We need the testimony of others, because the Christian faith comes to us through the witness of the Apostles and the Church. Yet our faith cannot remain merely someone else’s testimony. We must personally encounter Christ. As Pope Benedict XVI observed, “Our knowledge of Jesus needs above all a first-hand experience” (October 4, 2006). The invitation of Philip remains the invitation of the Church to every person: Come and see. Come to Christ. Come into his presence. Come to know him not merely as someone about whom others speak, but as the living Lord who calls us personally.
His skepticism disappears in an instant. He responds: “Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel” (John 1:49). Nathanael’s confession is greater than he yet realizes. The kings of Israel descended from David were called sons of God in a special covenantal sense (see 2 Samuel 7:14; Psalm 2:7). But Jesus is the Son of God in a unique and eternal way. Nathanael recognizes Jesus as the promised King, but Jesus will lead him toward an even deeper revelation of his identity. Jesus therefore tells him: “You will see greater things than this” (John 1:50). He then speaks of heaven being opened and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man (John 1:51). The image recalls Jacob’s dream at Bethel, when Jacob saw a ladder joining heaven and earth (Genesis 28:10-17). Jesus is declaring that he himself is the fulfillment of Jacob’s vision. He is the true meeting place between heaven and earth. Through him, heaven is opened to humanity.
3. From Encounter to Mission: The last time Nathanael appears in the Gospel of John, he is fishing with several of the Apostles on the Sea of Tiberias after the Resurrection (John 21:2). The man who once questioned whether anything good could come from Nazareth has become a disciple who follows the risen Christ. According to ancient Christian tradition, Nathanael Bartholomew carried the Gospel far beyond the land of Israel, preaching in places such as India, Ethiopia, Mesopotamia, Parthia, Lycaonia, and Armenia. Eusebius reports that a Hebrew copy of the Gospel of Matthew was associated with his mission in India. Later traditions hold that Bartholomew was martyred in Armenia after converting King Polymius and his household. He is traditionally said to have been flayed alive and then beheaded under the orders of Astyages, the king’s brother. In light of these traditions, the Church has always remembered Bartholomew as a missionary and martyr. His life reveals the full movement of Christian discipleship. He began by asking whether anything good could come from Nazareth. He came and saw. He encountered Jesus. He confessed Jesus as the Son of God and King of Israel. And finally, he gave his life proclaiming the Gospel. The invitation Philip gave Nathanael is also given to us: “Come and see.” We come to Christ so that we may see who he truly is. And once we have encountered him, we are sent to help others see him as well.
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