The Feast of St Bartholomew, Apostle.

Feast of the Apostle, St Bartholomew. 

"The angel spoke to me, saying, “Come here. I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb.” 

"He took me in spirit to a great, high mountain and showed me the holy city Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God

"It gleamed with the splendor of God. Its radiance was like that of a precious stone, like jasper, clear as crystal. It had a massive, high wall, with twelve gates where twelve angels were stationed and on which names were inscribed, the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel.

"There were three gates facing east, three north, three south, and three west. The wall of the city had twelve courses of stones as its foundation, on which were inscribed the twelve names of the twelve Apostles of the Lamb."

 

(Revelations 21: 9b - 14).

Thursday 24th August 2023 of the 20th Week of Ordinary Time is the feast of St Bartholomew, Apostle and Martyr. 

St Bartholomew also known as Nathanael is one of the Twelve Apostles. Tradition says that St Bartholomew worked in India and Armenia where he was martyred.  The people of Armenia claim St Bartholomew as the Founder of the Armenian Church. 

Here is the amazing faith of Philip in Jesus who had just launched His public ministry:  “We have found the one about whom Moses wrote in the law, and also the prophets, Jesus son of Joseph, from Nazareth.” Philip believes that Jesus is the Messiah.

When Philip told his friend Bartholomew that they found Jesus, he said:  “Can anything good come from Nazareth?”

But Philip, a great evangelist said to Bartholomew, “Come and see.” Both Philip and Bartholomew spent some friendly time with Jesus that afternoon and both became His disciples. 

The interaction with Jesus closed the sale. And Bartholomew declared: “Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel.”

We reflect on the message of the first Reading: Revelations 21: 9b - 14 because it touches the very core of the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church founded on the Twelve Apostles of Jesus Christ.

Jesus Christ did not found 50,000 churches but one Church: the Catholic Church. This Church is the Pillar and Foundation of the Truth. (Cf 1 Timothy 3: 15).

The Feast of one Apostle, St Bartholomew celebrates the Feast of All the Apostles. This feast celebrates the Feast of the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church.

The Church is the spotless Bride of the Lamb. It is the Body of Christ and the Temple of the Holy Spirit.

This Church is unique in its divinely given features. These characteristics help us to recognize it easily anywhere in the world.

The Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God and Mother of the Church helps us to recognize the true Church easily anywhere in the world. 

August is the Month dedicated to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Mary says: "In the end. My Immaculate Heart will triumph." 

For Prayers of Consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Litany, Promises of Mary to those who say the Holy Rosary, etc click the link below:

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2023/06/immaculate-heart-of-mary-consecration.html?m=10

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com