THE WORD AND THE SAINT
August 24, 2021: Celebrating St. Bartholomew the Apostle
Revelations. 21: 9-14; John 1:45-51
One of the 12 foundation stones, that is, one of the the 12 apostles rooted firm in Christ, is St. Bartholomew whom we celebrate today! Jesus gives him two compliments - one, that he was a person who had no guile in him and second, that Jesus saw him under the fig tree!
Sitting under the fig tree, had a very special significance in that context and Bartholomew is interested and curious how Jesus got to know about him and his tryst with truth. Sitting under the fig tree would mean (as we see in Micah 4:4), meditating on the Word of God, reflecting on the things that God expects from one, and making discernments on the way one relates to his or her world. A very deep meaning, isnt it?
Jesus has noted what kind of a person Bartholomew was. That was surprising for Bartholomew. Known as Nathanael in the Gospels, he was a man who looked for, yearned for truth and that is the reason, Philip brings him to Jesus. If only we truly and yearningly seek the Truth that Jesus is, Jesus is ready to surprise us! But are we ready to be surprised?
The question is, will Jesus find us under the fig tree? Will Jesus find in us, true seekers after truth, truly persons who long for the Lord, Christians who walk in the ways of the Truth! How much importance do I attach on a daily basis to remaining in sacred silence... or to the reading of the Word of God... or to meditate on the Word... or simply to remain in that disposition to connect to the Lord... that is why the question, when Jesus wishes to, will you be found under the fig tree?