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Once again on this feast of another saint, the Apostle Bartholomew, you teach us O God how you work in mysterious ways; for, indeed, how "can anything good come from Nazareth?" like Jesus Christ when in fact he was from Bethlehem and ultimately from you, Father in heaven!
But the most wonderful mystery of all is when your Son Jesus affirmed Nathanael-Bartholomew's perception and still accepted him!
Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and said of him, “Here is a true child of Israel. There is duplicity in him.” Nathanael said to him, “How did you know me?” Jesus answered and said to him, “Before Philip called you, I saw you under the fig tree.”
John 1:47-48
What did your Son see about Nathanael doing under the fig tree is also a mystery but it was more than enough to feel the love and acceptance by Jesus despite his not so kind words about Nazareth, enabling him to trust him in return committing himself as an Apostle after realizing it did not matter to Jesus his background nor his previous life.
Nathanael answered him, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel.”
John 1:49
Give us the grace, O God, not only to be contented with your words but most of all to go out of our way like Nathanael in "coming and seeing" to meet Jesus and experience his unique love and mercy, and be surprised with his presence that welcomes everyone. Amen.
