Gospel lesson of the week
Bartholomew, Apostle

John 1:43-51

Only in John’s gospel do we hear of the disciple Nathanael. It has generally been assumed that he is the Bartholomew mentioned in the other gospels. Skeptical that anything good can come from a small, insignificant town, this dubious observer is transformed by Jesus’ welcome and becomes a faithful follower.

⁴³The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, “Follow me.” ⁴⁴Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. ⁴⁵Philip found Nathanael and said to him, “We have found him about whom Moses in the law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus son of Joseph from Nazareth.” ⁴⁶Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.” ⁴⁷When Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him, he said of him, “Here is truly an Israelite in whom there is no deceit!” ⁴⁸Nathanael asked him, “Where did you get to know me?” Jesus answered, “I saw you under the fig tree before Philip called you.” ⁴⁹Nathanael replied, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!” ⁵⁰Jesus answered, “Do you believe because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than these.” ⁵¹And he said to him, “Very truly, I tell you, you will see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man.”

Gospel Reflection Questions

1. We know little about the Apostle Bartholomew, also known as Nathaniel. Do a Google search to learn something about him.
2. What do you think Nathaniel meant when he said to Philip about Jesus, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?”
3. How do we “follow” Jesus today?
   
   

Prayer

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