REFLECTIONS TODAY

Jesus’ true disciple exhibits, like St. Bartholomew, no guile. Bartholomew is one of the Twelve Apostles (Mt 10:2-4; Mk 3:16-19; Lk 6:14-16). 

In John’s Gospel, he is presented as Nathanael. When Philip tells him that they have found the one whom Moses and the prophets wrote about—Jesus from Nazareth—he outrightly articulates his prejudice against the Nazoreans. He is ready to appropriate the cultural bias against Nazareth, that nothing good can come from it. 

Nevertheless, he accepts Philip’s invitation to come and see Jesus. Jesus recognizes him as an Israelite without duplicity. Perhaps, the reason why he cannot immediately let go of his prejudice against the Nazoreans is that, as a person, he is leading a non-double standard life. Maybe, the kind of duplicity he needs to let go is the dichotomy between a principled life and one that also shows compassion. 

Do we exhibit duplicity between faith and everyday life? Could we let go of our biases against other people? How do we balance a principled life with the call to exercise compassion?

Gospel • John 1:45-51 

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.” 

Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and said of him, “Here is a true Israelite. There is no duplicity in him.” Nathanael said to him, “How do you know me?” Jesus answered and said to him, “Before Philip called you, I saw you under the fig tree.” 

Nathanael answered him, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel.” Jesus answered and said to him, “Do you believe because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than this.” And he said to him, “Amen, amen, I say to you, you will see the sky opened and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.

Source: “366 Days with the Lord 2024,” St. Paul’s, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 632-895-9701; E-mail: [email protected]; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.