Aug 24 – Feast of St. Bartholomew, apostle
Bartholomew was one of the Twelve Apostles. He was probably a close friend of St. Philip, as his name is always mentioned in the gospels in connection with Philip, and it was Philip who brought Bartholomew to Jesus. He may have written a gospel, now lost, as it is mentioned in other writings of the time.
Someone preached in Asia Minor, Ethiopia, India, and Armenia and left behind assorted writings. Local tradition says it was Bartholomew.
- Patron Saint Index
Apo 21:9-14
Jn 1:45-51
“Come and see…“
These words from today’s readings speak deeply to me because, when I look back on my life, I realise that the Lord has been inviting me to “come and see” for much longer than I understood.
I attended Catholic schools from primary school to junior college in Singapore, although my family was not Catholic. I remember vividly when I was in Primary 3. When all the Catholic girls went for Catechism class, the non-Catholic girls were given time off.
Most children would probably have been delighted to have a free period. But I remember feeling envious of the Catholic girls. I too wanted to go to Catechism. I wanted that shiny, colourful book about Jesus that they had!
At nine years old, I suppose I simply thought the Catholic girls were the ‘cool’ girls.
So one day, I asked my parents if I could attend Catechism. They said ‘yes’. I then went to the teacher and asked if I could join the class. She also said ‘yes’.
I was overjoyed.
At the time, I thought I was simply asking to join a class. I did not know that perhaps I was already responding to an invitation from God.
“Come and see.”
When I was in my teens, my father, who was not Catholic, told me that if I were ever to choose a religion, I should do so only when I was truly committed to the faith. At that time, I was attending a Protestant church because my best friends were Protestant. I had wanted to be baptised, but my father did not agree.
And here is the beautiful part of the story.
Those very best friends who first brought me to that Protestant church eventually became Catholic too, in their adulthood.
Looking back, I cannot help but smile at how wonderful God is. At the time, I thought I was simply following my friends. Perhaps, in some mysterious way, God was using those friendships to continue leading all of us towards Him.
We did not know where the journey would take us. God did.
Several years later, in my late twenties, I was baptised into the Catholic faith.
Again, I hear the words: “Come and see.”
But coming into the faith and truly knowing Jesus are not necessarily the same thing.
In the early years after my conversion, I was largely content with following the rituals. I went to Mass on Sundays. I followed the practices of the Church. I tried to be a ‘good Catholic’. I thought that as long as I went to church and followed the rules, I was doing what I was supposed to do.
But if I am honest, I did not yet have a deep personal encounter with the Lord.
My faith was more about doing than knowing.
And this is where today’s Gospel speaks to me.
When Nathanael hears about Jesus, his first response is sceptical: “Can anything good come from Nazareth?”
Philip does not argue with him or try to convince him. He simply says: “Come and see.”
There is something beautiful about that invitation. Philip does not have to explain everything. He simply invites Nathanael to encounter Jesus for himself.
Perhaps this is what Jesus has been doing with me throughout my life.
Come and see. Come with your questions. Come with your doubts. Come even when you do not fully understand. And see. See who I am. See what I can do in your life. See that I have known you long before you knew Me.
When I look back now, I realise that my journey began with a very small ‘yes’. A nine-year-old girl simply wanting to join the Catholic girls and have a colourful book about Jesus.
Yet, perhaps, that little desire was already a seed planted by God.
I could not see it then. I can see it now.
That is perhaps the mystery of God’s call. We often recognise it only in hindsight. At the time, we may think we are simply making ordinary choices. But God may already be quietly drawing us closer to Him.
My journey to faith was not dramatic. It unfolded slowly, through small invitations, friendships and little steps.
And perhaps that is how God often works. He does not always show us the whole journey.
He simply says: “Come.” Come as you are. Come with your questions. Come with your imperfections. Come and see.
Today, on the Feast of St Bartholomew, I am grateful that the Lord has never stopped inviting me. The invitation that began with a little girl wanting to join Catechism continues even today.
Perhaps I am still learning what it means to truly “come and see”.
But I know this much: The One who invited me has been waiting for me all along.
And when I look back at the twists and turns of my journey, at the people He placed in my life and even the paths I thought I had chosen for myself, I can only say: God is truly wonderful.
(Today’s OXYGEN by Geraldine Nah)
Prayer: Lord Jesus, help me to hear Your gentle voice amidst the noise and busyness of everyday life. Open my ears and my heart to You, and give me the courage to follow where You lead. When I cannot see the way ahead, remind me of Your invitation: “Come and see.” Help me to trust You and to say “yes” to You, one step at a time.
Thanksgiving: Thank You, Jesus, for Your gentle invitation that has drawn me closer to You through every season of my life. Thank You for the people, friendships and moments through which You have quietly led me towards You. Looking back, I see that You were there all along. Thank You for never giving up on me, but patiently inviting me: “Come and see.” Amen.
OXYGEN 
Leave a comment