The Catholic Calendar for Tuesday, August 24, 2004
Tuesday of the Twenty-first Week in Ordinary Time
Saint Bartholomew, Apostle

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Revelation 21:9b-14
Psalm 145:10-11,12-13,17-18
John 1:45-51

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

A popular song right now alludes to our only being able to imagine what heaven is like. They are comforting thoughts to have. Our first scripture reading for today enhances those images with a description of heaven. It still remains difficult for us as humans to consider. One thing noted is that the names of the twelve apostles are inscribed in heaven. Do we ever consider the place that has been set aside for us by Christ? Christ did make reference to preparing a place for each of us. Perhaps on this feast of Saint Bartholomew we might center on one of his attributes as a means to help us attain our heavenly goal. Christ saw him approaching and stated that there was no duplicity in Bartholomew. (John 1:45-51)

How can 'duplicity' cloud our vision, our goals? Unfortunately it seems to be more and more common to experience that people will say one thing in front of someone they want to impress, when they will actually believe something else. This seems especially common in the political sphere. How can a person be a good disciple of Christ when they speak with a "forked" tongue?

God is Truth! A true follower of Christ speaks and adheres to truthfulness, sometimes even at the cost of their life! Our Gospel reading on this special feast gives us time to reflect on our stance with truth. Would that Christ might say of each of us: There is no duplicity in you.

Saint Bartholomew, pray for us.

- Joan of Jesus, OCDS
(jmurphy at utica dot edu)

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posted by joachim at 4:05 AM