St. Bartholomew, Apostle
Proverbs 3:1–8
2 Corinthians 4:7–10
Luke 22:24–30 or John 1:43–51
St. Bartholomew, Apostle
Skinned alive! That, according to tradition, is how Bartholomew (called Nathanael in John) was martyred. Christ’s preachers are not to be great lords, but servants who faithfully stay with Christ in His trials (Luke 22:24–30). They are “jars of clay”; the Savior they preach is the “surpassing power” (2 Cor. 4:7). Christ’s servants are “afflicted in every way,” “always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested” there (2 Cor. 4:8–10). On the foundation of their prophetic and apostolic confession, the Church is built, “joined together” by Christ, “the cornerstone” (Eph. 2:20–21). As an apostle (Luke 6:13–14), Bartholomew manifested “the Son of God” in his preaching and his death. Christ is the “Son of Man” — the King who opens heaven to us by His wounds (John 1:49–51). We bear sufferings not leaning “on [our] own understanding,” but trusting in the Lord (Prov. 3:5–7). Life will be manifested in our bodies, too, when the Lord brings “healing to [our] flesh and refreshment to [our] bones” in the resurrection (Prov. 3:8). For this reason, Bartholomew is often depicted holding his flayed skin. He will have need of it on the Last Day — at least for sizing.
