A Temple of the Holy Spirit

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Daniel & Catherine ready for Confirmation I had the privilege of witnessing my son and daughter receive the Sacrament of Confirmation this past Tuesday at the Basilica of Our Lady of the Annunciation in Lancaster, OH. It was a wonderful Mass with a full choir, trumpets, and all the rest. During his remarks, Bishop Earl K. Fernandes mentioned that we too, like the Basilica, are temples of the Lord. It caused me to reflect on this idea. Although I've mostly seen only pictures of the great cathedrals and basilicas in the world, I have seen some amazing churches even in our own diocese. These structures are a testament to the Church's love for God (read the entire Church - Militant, Suffering, Triumphant). They represent great skill, sacrifice, and passion for Our Lord and often times His Mother.  Yet the words of Christ always echo in my mind when contemplating the beauty that surrounds me in those places; “ Do you see these great buildings? There will not be one stone left u
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Hold on to your hat

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Thursday August 24 – Saint Bartholomew

John 1:45-51

Relationships are interesting things. They are interesting because for the most part there is no “real” way to prove that they exist. I have a very close relationship with my wife. However, there is no concrete proof that the relationship really exists. I could show you my wedding ring but that’s just a symbol and anyone off the street can have a golden band without having a relationship. I could show you my four boys, a “product” or “result” of the said relationship, but here too the “proof” could be dismissed because it really doesn’t give evidence that my wife and I have an intimate personal loving relationship. It merely proves we are capable of producing offspring as is most of creation.

The only “proof” of a relationship is how the parties involved conduct themselves. If I claim to have a loving, caring relationship with my wife but I am constantly abusing her mentally and physically then the proof speaks otherwise. If I tell everyone I meet how close my boys and I are but I never spend any time with them, then the proof tells the truth. Relationships can only be gauged by the actions of those involved.

Today’s Gospel is all about relationships. Philip already has a relationship with Jesus. He is excited about the relationship and wants Nathanael (Bartholomew) to have a relationship with Jesus as well. Yet Philip realizes that he can’t prove Who Jesus is so instead of carrying on with many words he only speaks three, “come and see.” Philip is wise in his approach in introducing Jesus and Nathanael. Philip could never adequately describe the relationship he has with Jesus in an attempt to invite Nathanael to meet Jesus and he doesn’t have lots of time to witness through his actions. He does something better, he takes Nathanael to meet Jesus and let the cards fall where they may.

In today’s world I can talk till I am blue in the face about my relationship with Jesus but unless that relationship has changed me, and people notice the change, no one will believe that the relationship exists. The difficulties lies in the fact that people today tend only to believe what they see. Therefore, they reason, if I can’t see God, He must not exist. And if they see others claiming to have a “personal relationship with Jesus” yet their lives haven’t changed one bit then they write off my “relationship” as fantasy.

Philip didn’t try to start a relationship between Jesus and Nathanael with fancy words, he simply introduced them. Based on the text alone there is no “real” proof that a relationship began. Based on the life Nathanael lived after that relationship began I can see the proof of that relationship. Nathanael, later known as Bartholomew preached in India and Armenia. He was flayed and beheaded in Armenia by King Abanopolis.

TAKE TWO
I like to look at this passage through the eyes of a guy. It seems to me as almost a comical exchange between the men involved. Guys often joke with each other and have fun especially when introducing a friend who isn’t currently part of the “group.” Philip and Nathanael obviously know a good bit of Scripture. Philip tells Nathanael that they, the other guys and himself, have found a man they believe to be the long awaited Messiah. Both of the men know the prophesies surround this longed for person and they both know he is supposed to come from the tribe of Judah, specifically from Bethlehem. In reply, Nathanael jokes, “Can anything good come from Nazareth?” Philip doesn’t waste time arguing passages but rather invites Nathanael to check it out for himself, “come and see.” When they meet, Jesus joins in on the joking because he knows what Nathanael said. Jesus knows there was no harm intended by Nathanael’s comments so He says he has “no guile” which means he is not being cunning or deceitful. Nathanael is a little shocked and embarrassed by Jesus’ statement and wants to know how Jesus knows this. I can almost see a smile on Jesus’ face as he tells Nathanael that he “saw” or maybe rather “heard” him speaking to Philip under the fig tree. Nathanael is taken back realizing that Jesus somehow knew what was said to Philip and that there must be something to what Philip told him about Jesus. Based on what has happened Nathanael understands that Jesus is from God he states his belief that He is the Lord. Jesus, again smiling, almost laughing, tells Nathanael that if that was all it took to convince him he’d better hold on to his hat and get ready for what will take place in the coming years! “Because I said I saw you under the fig tree, do you believe? You shall see greater things than these!”

FROM THE SAINTS
- “Belief has always had something of an adventurous break or leap about it, because in every age it represents the risky enterprise of accepting what plainly cannot be seen as the truly real and fundamental.” Pope Benedict XVI (Cardinal Ratzinger in Introduction to Christianity)

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