Daily Readings for August 24, 2017

Feast of St. Bartholomew, Apostle

1ST READING

We do not know a lot about St. Bartholomew, but tradition has it that he and Philip spent time preaching the Gospel in Syria and Asia Minor. One tradition says that while preaching in the modern-day city of Baku (Azerbaijan), he was seized by the king’s brother and martyred upside down on a cross. The Apostles, apart from John, were all martyred, giving their lives in the service of the Gospel. As we remember Bartholomew today, let us ask him to pray for the Church — that She will continue to be faithful in living and proclaiming the Gospel.

Revelation 21:9-14

9 The angel spoke to me, saying, “Come here. I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb.” 10 He took me in spirit to a great, high mountain and showed me the holy city Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God. 11 It gleamed with the splendor of God. Its radiance was like that of a precious stone, like jasper, clear as crystal. 12 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. 13 There were three gates facing east, three north, three south, and three west. 14 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.

P S A L M

Psalm 145:10-11, 12-13, 17-18

R: Your friends made known, O Lord, the glorious splendor of your Kingdom.

10 Let all your works give you thanks, O Lord, and let your faithful ones bless you. 11 Let them discourse of the glory of your Kingdom and speak of your might. (R) 12 Making known to men your might and the glorious splendor of your Kingdom. 13 Your kingdom is a kingdom for all ages, and your dominion endures through all generations. (R) 17 The Lord is just in all his ways and holy in all his works. 18 The Lord is near to all who call upon him, to all who call upon him in truth. (R)

GOSPEL

It seems that Nathaniel (John’s Gospel) and Bartholomew (Synoptic Gospels) are the same person. Can we prove this? Whatever the case, it is enough to know that here we reflect upon the life of one of the Apostles who ended up giving his life for the Gospel. His name is a secondary consideration when compared to the way he lived.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel.

John 1:45-51

45 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.” 46 But Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come from Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.” 47 Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and said of him, “Here is a true child of Israel. There is no duplicity in him.” 48 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.” 49 Nathanael answered him, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel.” 50 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.” 51 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.”