You'd be forgiven for not recognising this chap - he's St Bartholomew, who the church remembers today, painted by Ruben. He's also known as Nathaniel, who you might recall from John's gospel. At the end of John Chapter 1, Jesus calls Nathaniel having already seen him sitting under a fig tree. Jesus' prophetic vision convinced Nathaniel (Bartholomew) that Jesus was the Son of God. Jesus' response was, 'You believe because I told you I saw you under the fig tree. You will see greater things than that.' Indeed Bartholmew did see greater things, as he shared life with Jesus, including His death and resurrection, the ascension and the coming of the Holy Spirit. Tradition holds that St Bartholomew spread the gospel in India before finally being martyred in Armenia. He's remembered for being one of Jesus' 12 disciples and for giving his own life to tell the stories of life with Jesus. It's great to remember the saints - but it's also good to remember that we're all saints. That's how the apostle Paul refers to anyone who believes! And we're also called to tell our stories of doing life with Jesus and the difference it makes. Happy St Bartholomew's Day!
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