Thoughts for the Day

Then Jesus summoned his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to cure every disease and every sickness. These are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon, also known as Peter, and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John; Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax-collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; Simon the Cananaean, and Judas Iscariot, the one who betrayed him

These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: ‘Go nowhere among the Gentiles, and enter no town of the Samaritans, but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. As you go, proclaim the good news, “The kingdom of heaven has come near.” Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons. You received without payment; give without payment.'

(Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

Today we remember Bartholomew the Apostle. Matthew's Gospel tell us that Bartholomew was one of the twelve disciples chosen by Jesus to work with him during the three years that he spent travelling the area teaching, preaching and healing the people. The only time we hear his name is in the list of those chosen by Jesus at the start of his ministry, and which appears in all four Gospels. Consequently we know almost nothing about him. The word 'Apostle' means 'one who was sent', and he would have been one of those who spread the news about Jesus after his death, ensuring the distribution of Christianity throughout the middle east.

What we do know about Bartholomew is that he witnessed Jesus healing the sick, raising the dead, and performing many other miracles. When Jesus sent out the twelve disciples, he was was perhaps with Philip as his name seems linked to him, and like the others he too was given power to 'heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, and drive out demons" After Jesus' death and resurrection he too received power through the Holy Spirit along with the other disciples (Acts 2.1-4).

Other than this all we have is a comment by Eusebius (3-4th century) who is regarded as one of the most learned of Christians of the time, that Bartholomew preached in India, and the assumption is that he was martyred at some point in that country. While we have no other information, what we do know is that he was closely associated with Jesus and was sent by him to spread the good news of the Gospel - that God had sent His Son to rescue His people. In the end that is all that we too need to know, and that too is our calling - to spread the good news.

Lord Jesus Christ,
help us to appreciate all that Bartholomew,
learnt and experienced from You,
and be grateful for his work in spreading the Gospel.
May we grow closer to You day by day,
and appreciate that You have called us
to spread Your Gospel of love
to all whom we meet
through our prayers, our words,
and our actions.
Amen.