Disciples Evangelizing for the Kingdom
(Rev 21:9b-14; Ps 145; Jn 1:45-51)
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A somewhat forgetful preacher at a wedding was an ardent fisherman. He asked the groom, “Do you promise to love, honor, and cherish this woman?” “I do,” said the groom meekly. “Okay,” said the minister to the bride, “Reel him in.”
Casting a net on the Sea of Galilee – 2013
Fishing involves four basic actions: holding a rod and reel, casting out the line, hooking a fish and reeling the fish in. The readings for today’s feast of the apostle St. Bartholomew involve four similar realities relating to discipleship: faith in Jesus, reaching out to others, inviting them to meet Jesus, and bringing them to Jesus.
The psalm is all about the deepest reality of our faith – the glory and splendor of the kingdom of God that Jesus came to inaugurate among us, here earth, right here and right now. That is the goal of our faith, the “catch” so to speak.
The first reading from a vision of St. John relies heavily on Eastern numerology to describe a holy heavenly Jerusalem. The repeated combinations of the numbers 3, 4 and 12 all symbolize wholeness, completion, perfection. The holy city symbolizes the Church and its destiny, to someday be made whole and perfect as the bride of the Lamb of God, Jesus Christ.
The role of the Church is to help bring about the reign of God here on earth, right here and now. That process began with the call of Jesus to very ordinary fishermen like Philip to become his disciples. They would be the ones who would be the core of this new reality, his Body on earth tasked to build up that reign of God.
The heart of being a disciple of Jesus and the process of evangelizing that builds up the reign of God is played out in the gospel. First of all, Philip is called by Jesus, gets to know him and believe in him as the fulfillment of the Old Testament law and prophecy. That is his “rod and reel.” He then “casts out his line” and goes to find Nathaniel. Philip then “hooks” Nathaniel by inviting him to come and see Jesus. He then “reels him in” by taking him personally to meet Jesus. Nathaniel then in turn encounters Jesus, is amazed at how Jesus already knew him, and makes a heartfelt spontaneous act of faith – “You are the Son of God, the King of Israel.”
Here we see discipleship and evangelization in action: a faith-encounter with Jesus, reaching out to share him with others, inviting others to get to know Jesus, and then personally bringing them to meet Jesus.
With Marriage Encounter couples: McKenna’s and Wilke’s (2016).
I learned the hard way how important it is to personally accompany others to meet Jesus, and not just tell them about him. I had talked five married couples from a community I was ministering in to attend a Marriage Encounter weekend, knowing it would greatly enrich their relationships. The parish would pay for their registration. All they had to do was get there. Unfortunately, not one couple went, and in fact, shortly after that, one husband had an affair the broke up their marriage. I realized too late that I should have been more flexible and gone with them. Had I done that, I am sure they would have come along. I had failed to be a Philip to them and take them to Jesus.
It is interesting that the Gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke and the Acts of the Apostles count Bartholomew as one of the 12 apostles, associating his name with Philip. John’s Gospel, however, links the name Nathaniel with Philip but never mentions Bartholomew. Apart from that, we know little about him.
St. Nathaniel (Bartholomew)
Some scholars identify the apostle Bartholomew with Nathaniel, a solution supported by the fact that Bartholomew could be a surname (‘bar Tolomai,’, son of Tolomai) and Nathaniel a given name: Nathaniel Bartholomew. If so, then Nathaniel was the man in whom the Lord saw ‘no guile’ and one who was among the apostles when the risen Lord appeared by the Sea of Galilee.
What is certain is that Bartholomew left everything to follow Jesus, becoming his disciple, friend and an apostle entrusted with evangelizing, with the continuation of his mission.
Nathaniel Bartholomew was so moved by Jesus that after Pentecost he went on to be a bold evangelist. Tradition tells us that he travelled as far as Armenia, where he is said to have converted king Polymius – an act that led to his martyrdom. And to think that it all started when his friend Philip went out to find him and bring him to Jesus.
Many people will tell you that there was someone in their life whose witness had a great impact in their own life. One person reached out to them just where they were at and walked bedside them, leading them to Jesus. In fact, many saints and Christian thinkers, from St. Augustine to C. S. Lewis, tell us that they owe their faith to someone who, like Philip, invited them to “come and see” (Jn 1:46). One such person in my life was Archbishop Emeritus Adam Exner OMI, who as my spiritual director first heard my life’s story, pointed out that I needed to work on my relationship with my father, and asked me to pray with Isaiah 43:1-4 for one whole month. That one experience literally both changed and set the course for my whole life.
You too can be like Philip. You can tell your friends or family members or anyone you meet, “Come and see.” It may take just a bit of courage, but the Holy Spirit can provide what you may lack. Remember, God is the One who changes hearts; all you have to do is invite them to come to him. Just bring them to Jesus and he’ll take care of the rest.
