Ladder to Heaven
August 24, 2024 - Saturday, Feast of Saint Bartholomew, Apostle
John 1:45-51
Today, we celebrate the feast of Saint Bartholomew, but the Gospel of John focuses our attention on Nathanael. According to tradition, Nathanael and Bartholomew are believed to be the same person. Nathanael means "gift of God" and Bartholomew means "Son of Tolmai." Thus, Nathanael would be a son of Tolmai.
In today's Gospel, Philip finds Nathanael and tells him, "We have found him of whom Moses in the Law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph." The prophet of whom Moses spoke is mentioned in Deut 18:15-19. Here, for the first time, we learn that Jesus comes from Nazareth and is known as the son of Joseph.
Nathanael's question implies that among the Galileans, Nazareth enjoyed no high repute. But Philip does not enter into any dispute; he repeats the words that Jesus spoke to the first two disciples: "Come and see" (John 1:39). Experience can cure prejudice. Perhaps there is something good that can come out of Nazareth.
Seeing Nathanael coming, Jesus states that he is “a true child of Israel, in whom there is no deceit!" (John 1:47). The name Israel was given to Jacob, who was known for his deceit (Gen 27:35-36; Gen 32:28). Nathanael, however, was unlike the young Jacob.
Only Jesus and Nathanael knew what took place under that fig tree (see Gen 3:7). Some consider the "fig tree" as a symbol of home (Is 36:16; Mic 4:4; Zech 3:10) and even as a place for prayer, meditation, and study. Whatever the symbolism may be, it was enough to make Nathanael realize the identity of Jesus.
Nathanael gives Jesus two titles: "Son of God" and "King of Israel," both of which have messianic connotations. Nathanael is the first disciple of whom the author speaks that he believed. Why did Nathanael believe? Because Jesus revealed something unique about him. But there is more to come. Nathanael and the other disciples will witness greater things that will point to Jesus' true identity.
Jesus' words relate to Gen 28:12, the story of Jacob’s dream where he saw “a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven. And behold, the angels of God were ascending and descending on it!” The Son of Man is the mediator between God and the human race. Jesus points to his crucifixion (see John 8:28). By the cross, heaven is thrown wide open, God draws near to man, and man is reconciled to God.
According to ancient Christian tradition, Bartholomew preached the Gospel in India, Iran, Turkey, and Armenia, where he was martyred. Saint Bartholomew, pray for us. May we also proclaim the Gospel to the nations, so the people of the world can find salvation in Jesus Christ.