Thoughts for the Day

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.

(New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

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 this list of those chosen by Jesus at the start of his ministry, and which appear in all four Gospels. Consequently we know almost nothing about him. The word 'Apostle' means 'one who was sent', and he was likely one of those who spread the news about Jesus after his death, ensuring the spread of Christianity throughout the middle east.

What we do know about Bartholomew is that he witnessed Jesus healing the sick, raising, the death, and performing miracles. When Jesus sent out the twelve disciples, he was sent, perhaps with Philip and given power to 'heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, and drive out demons" (Matthew 10.7-8). After Jesus' death and resurrection he was given power by the Holy Spirit with the other disciples (Acts 2.1-4).

Other than this all we have is a comment by Eusebius in the 4th century 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 need to know, and that too is our calling!

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 actions.
Amen.